New Toy

Last updated
New Toy
New Toy (EP).jpg
EP by
Lene Lovich
Released1981
Recorded1980–81
Genre New wave
Length21:17
Label Stiff
Producer
Lene Lovich chronology
Flex
(1979)		New Toy
(1981)		 No Man's Land
(1982)
Singles from New Toy
  1. "New Toy"
    Released: February 1981

New Toy is the first extended play by English-American singer-songwriter Lene Lovich released in 1981 by Stiff Records. It was released outside the United Kingdom in three different versions, one featured six new songs, while the other two contained songs from her previous albums, Stateless (1978) and Flex (1979).

Contents

The main single "New Toy", in which she makes fun of the consumer society, was released in February 1981 and became successful in charts, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs [1] number 53 on the UK Singles Chart, [2] and number 29 on the Australian Kent Music Report. [3] It was written by Thomas Dolby, about his new Fairlight CMI synthesizer. He created the song specifically for Lovich after seeing her perform live. It was also used in Italy as the first ending theme for the anime series Attack No. 1 in 1981. [4] [5]

The songs "Special Star" and "Savages" later appeared on her third studio album, No Man's Land (1982) and all the songs from the EP appeared on the CD re-issue of the album.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]

Barry Lederer reviewed the 12-inch single of "New Toy" for Billboard magazine, comparing Lovich's vocals to Debbie Harry on Blondie's "Rapture". He noted the "fully-orchestrated introduction" which he felt was "more disco than rock in flavor" and highlighted the "catchy tempo" maintained by piano and keyboard, resulting in a "pop feel". The B-side "Cats Away" was described as a "gutsy, riveting electronic instrumental". [7]

Track listing

Extended Play

5E 37452 (US and Canada 12") / 5ET 37425 (US and Canada Cassette)
AL 37452 (Australia 12") / C 20011 (Australia Cassette)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."New Toy"
3:18
2."Savages"
3:50
3."Special Star"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
3:11
4."Never Never Land"
4:05
5."Cats Away"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
3:41
6."Details"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
3:12
Total length:21:17
VIP-5908 (Japan 12")
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."New Toy"
  • Dolby
3:18
2."Lucky Number" (Disco Version)
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
4:32
3."Bird Song" (Edit)
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
4:01
4."Details"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
3:12
5."Joan"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
3:19
6."Cats Away"
  • Lovich
  • Chappell
3:41
Total length:22:03

Single

United Kingdom 7-inch single – BUY 97 / Australia 7-inch single – K-8195

  1. "New Toy" – 3:18
  2. "Cats Away" (Single version) – 3:41

United Kingdom 12-inch single – BUYIT 97

  1. "New Toy" (Extended version) – 4:38
  2. "Cats Away" (Single version) – 3:41

Australia 12-inch single – X 13067

  1. "New Toy" (Extended version) – 4:38
  2. "Cats Away" (Single version) – 3:41
  3. "Monkey Talk" (Live) – 3:15
  4. "The Night" (Live) – 4:14
  5. "Too Tender (To Touch)" (Live) – 4:13
  6. "You Can't Kill Me" (Live) – 3:40

Charts

Chart (1981)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [8] 29
Italian Singles ( Musica e dischi ) [9] 15
UK (Official Charts Company)53
US (Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs)19

Credits and personnel

References

  1. ↑ "Flex - Lene Lovich | Awards", AllMusic.
  2. ↑ "LENE LOVICH | Artist", Official Charts.
  3. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 182. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  4. ↑ "AntonioGenna.net presenta: IL MONDO DEI DOPPIATORI - ZONA ANIMAZIONE: "Mimì e la nazionale di pallavolo"". www.antoniogenna.net. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  5. ↑ Lene Lovich / John Servus Orchestra - New Toy / Evening (in Italian), 2023, retrieved 2023-09-12
  6. ↑ New Toy at AllMusic
  7. ↑ Barry Lederer (April 25, 1981). "Disco Mix" (PDF). Billboard . p. 52. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  8. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 182. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  9. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved December 12, 2025.Select "Single" in the "Tipo" field, type "Lene Lovich" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".
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