The Changeling (album)

The Changeling is a 1982 album by Toyah. Released in June 1982,[2] the album peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart[3] and was certified Silver in 1982 for selling more than 60,000 copies in the UK.[4] It included the Top 30 single "Brave New World".[3]

The Changeling
Cover photo by Bob Carlos Clarke
Studio album by
Toyah
Released7 June 1982
Genre
Length41:11 (original album) / 63:11 (1999 expanded and remastered edition)
LabelSafari
ProducerSteve Lillywhite
Toyah chronology
Anthem
(1981)		 The Changeling
(1982)		 Warrior Rock: Toyah on Tour
(1982)
Singles from The Changeling
  1. "Brave New World" / "Warrior Rock"
    Released: May 1982
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
New Musical Express(mixed)[1]

Original vinyl issues of the album came complete with a lyric insert, the background of which featured drawings of circuit boards. Around the lyrics of each song were sections of poetry written by Toyah Willcox, which were not included on the album.

The album was produced by legendary record producer Steve Lillywhite using early digital studio recording equipment. Some overseas editions, such as the Dutch release, featured an additional 'Digital Recording' logo on the cover sleeve.

A completed out-take from the sessions for The Changeling named "Warrior Rock" appeared as the B-side of the LP's only single release "Brave New World" and on the later CD reissue. Another out-take entitled "Paradise Child", later surfaced on the Safari Records collectors album Mayhem. A rarer version entitled "Silly Little Girls" using a similar music track but with alternative lyrics (featuring Toyah Willcox improvising 'mild obscenities'), appeared on preparatory demos for the album which have since surfaced on bootleg releases. Several other instrumental tracks from the same demo sessions have never been commercially used.

The Changeling was not released on CD until 1999, although this long-awaited release did at least include six bonus tracks, four of which were previously unavailable on CD, and the video for "Thunder in the Mountains".

Track listing

All songs by Toyah Willcox and Joel Bogen, except where indicated

Side one
  1. "Creepy Room" - 3:20
  2. "Street Creature" - 4:01
  3. "Castaways" - 3:57
  4. "The Druids" - 3:31
  5. "Angel & Me" - 4:47
Side two
  1. "The Packt" - 4:52
  2. "Life in the Trees" - 3:17
  3. "Dawn Chorus" (Willcox, Bogen, Phil Spalding) - 3:53
  4. "Run Wild, Run Free" 4:02
  5. "Brave New World" - 5:31

1999 CD edition bonus tracks
  1. "Warrior Rock" (Willcox, Bogen, Spalding) - 3:30
  2. "Thunder in the Mountains" (Willcox, Adrian Lee, Nigel Glockler) - 3:50
  3. "Voodoo Doll" (Willcox, Bogen, Spalding) - 4:00
  4. "Good Morning Universe" - 3:38
  5. "In the Fairground" - 3:14
  6. "Ieya 1982" (Willcox, Bogen, Pete Bush) - 3:48
  • "Thunder in the Mountains" (video)

On the CD reissue, the ending of "Angel & Me" has been edited. After the song has faded out, the original vinyl version featured an echoed drum roll that resembled the sound of a door being locked – this was absent on the CD.

Comments on songs

"Changeling wasn't easy to make, in fact it was the unhappiest of all the album experiences, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good album. Not everything has to come effortlessly for it to be right", Toyah said in 2011.[5]

  • Brave New World. "'Brave New World', to me, is a sad love song, because I wrote most of it in Bristol last year after a tremendous row with my boyfriend. But I could never do a love song true to myself, because that's being selfish. I prefer what I call open lyrics, so that the kids can fit their own feelings to them... And so 'Brave New World' is a love song, because I think everyone goes through the phase when they think no one in the world knows how hurt they are – experiencing a loneliness that no one knows, but everyone knows it", Toyah said in the Sounds interview, 1982.[6]
  • Angel and Me. The song ("Why do you always cry when you come to see me? / I always die to see you smile") had some autobiographical connotations. "The person she's talking to is her mum, when I was in hospital and my mum visited me, she'd always start crying, so it comes from that", Toyah explained when asked who the song was about. "I am now [close to my mother], I didn't use to be. I always loved her very much, but she had a weird way of loving me back. I can never remember kissing and cuddling mummy and daddy when I was small. But I love them both, my father is one of my heroes", she added, speaking to Sounds.[6]

Personnel
Band members
Additional musicians
  • Simon Darlow – additional keyboards
  • Nigel Bennett – backing vocals
  • Phil Smith, Vince Sullavan, Dave Lord – brass
Production
  • Steve Lillywhite – producer
  • Mark Dearnley – engineer
  • Ashley Howe – additional engineering
  • Neil Hutchinson – assistant engineer, tape operator
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References
  1. Morley, Paul (12 June 1982). "Elfin Efficiency". NME. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  2. "Toyah In A Dream World". NME. 12 June 1982. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  3. "Toyah Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  4. "BPI Awards Database: Search for Toyah". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  5. "Toyah Talks Music". FSF-A Interview. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  6. Johnny Waller (14 August 1982). "Toyah Reveals Her Secret Desires". Sounds. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
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