| "Thunder in the Mountains" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Toyah | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | October 1981 | |||
| Recorded | 1981 | |||
| Studio | Marquee Studios, London | |||
| Genre | New wave | |||
| Label | Safari | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Nick Tauber | |||
| Toyah singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Thunder in the Mountains" on YouTube | ||||
"Thunder in the Mountains" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as a single in 1981 by Safari Records. It was one of Toyah's biggest hits, reaching number 4 in the UK chart.
The song was written by Toyah Willcox, Adrian Lee and Nigel Glockler, and produced by Nick Tauber. It was written in summer 1981 under a huge pressure due to the commercial success that the band was having at that time. "I had about four hours to write this lyric before the car took me to the Marquee Studios in the West End where we were to record the song and then it was to go straight to print. (...) There were riots going on in all the main cities at this particular weekend. There was general unrest. (...) I wanted to reflect this in the song that I see you, I hear you, let's all rebel together, let's bring positive change", Toyah reflected. [1]
"Thunder in the Mountains" was released as a standalone single in October 1981. The cover photo was taken by John Swannell, with Toyah's make-up by Richard Shara and hair by Robert Lobetta, and was named by the singer as her favourite record sleeve. [2] It became the most collectible Toyah release to date, with several variations available, including a 7" picture disc and a 12" transparent vinyl. The song was backed with two B-sides, "Street Addict" and "Voodoo Doll", the latter exclusive to the 12" single. Although not included on an album at the time, "Thunder in the Mountains" and "Voodoo Doll" would appear on the 1999 CD reissue of The Changeling , "Street Addict" on the 2002 CD reissue of The Blue Meaning , and all three tracks feature on the 2005 compilation The Safari Singles Collection Part 2: 1981–1983.
The single continued the success of Toyah's previous hits. It reached number 4 in the UK Singles Chart and also was the band's third consecutive number 1 entry in the UK Independent Singles Chart. It was eventually certified silver in the UK. [3] The song was promoted by an appearance on Top of the Pops . The song received a favourable review in Smash Hits . [4]
"Thunder in the Mountains" has been re-recorded by Toyah a number of times in her later career: in 1993 on the album Take the Leap! , on Looking Back in 1995, and on The Acoustic Album , again in 1995. During a 2012 concert at the Hare & Hounds in Birmingham, Toyah performed the song live as a duet with Andi Fraggs. [5]
The music video for the song was directed by Godley & Creme. [6]
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles (IRMA) [7] | 10 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [8] | 4 |
| UK Independent Singles [9] | 1 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI) [3] | Silver | 250,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Toyah Ann Willcox is an English musician, actress, and TV presenter. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Willcox has had eight top 40 singles, released over 20 albums, written two books, appeared in over 40 stage plays and 10 feature films, and voiced and presented numerous television shows.
Toyah was an English new wave band fronted by namesake Toyah Willcox between 1977 and 1983. The only other consistent band member throughout this period was Joel Bogen, Willcox's principal co-writer and guitarist.
The Blue Meaning is the second studio album by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1980 by Safari Records. It reached the Top 40 on the UK Albums Chart.
Anthem is a studio album by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1981 by Safari Records. It was the band's most successful album, reaching number 2 in the UK Albums Chart and featuring the Top 10 singles "It's a Mystery" and "I Want to Be Free". The album was certified gold in 1981 for selling more than 100,000 copies in the UK.
The Changeling is a studio album by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1982 by Safari Records. The album peaked at number 6 in the UK where it was certified silver for sales exceeding 60,000 copies. It included the Top 40 single "Brave New World".
Warrior Rock: Toyah on Tour is a live album by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1982 by Safari Records.
Love Is the Law is the fifth studio album by British new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1983 by Safari Records. It reached number 28 in the UK Albums Chart and included the Top 40 hit single "Rebel Run". It was the last album to be released by the band before singer Willcox embarked on a solo career and retained 'Toyah' as her stage name.
Mayhem is a compilation album by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1985 by Safari Records.
Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! is a greatest hits compilation album by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1984 by K-tel. The album is also known as Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! All the Hits by including the cover slogan to differentiate it from the earlier live album Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!.
"Ieya" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox. It was first released as a single in 1980 by Safari Records to promote the album The Blue Meaning. It was re-recorded and re-issued in 1982, and met with minor chart success in the UK.
Four from Toyah is the second EP by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1981 by Safari Records. It reached the Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart on the back of its lead track, "It's a Mystery".
"I Want to Be Free" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as a single in May 1981 by Safari Records. The song promoted Toyah's 1981 studio album Anthem and was a Top 10 chart hit in the UK and Ireland.
Four More from Toyah is the third EP by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1981 by Safari Records. It reached the Top 20 in the UK and Ireland.
"Brave New World" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as a single in 1982 by Safari Records. It promoted Toyah's 1982 studio album The Changeling and was a Top 40 chart success in the UK.
"Be Proud Be Loud " is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as a single in 1982 by Safari Records. It was a Top 40 chart success in the UK and Ireland.
"Rebel Run" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox. It was released in 1983 to promote the album Love Is the Law and was a Top 30 chart success in the UK.
"The Vow" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox. It was released in 1983 to promote the album Love Is the Law.
Looking Back is a studio album by the British singer Toyah Willcox, released in 1995. It is a collection of re-recordings of songs from her back catalogue, mostly classic hits from the Toyah band repertoire. The material was originally conceived as part of a double album Toyah Classics slated for release in March 1995. The two sets would eventually be released individually, with Looking Back as an 'electric' accompaniment to The Acoustic Album, released the following year. The album has never been re-released digitally.
The Acoustic Album is a studio album by the British singer Toyah Willcox, released in 1996. It is a collection of acoustic re-recordings of songs from her back catalogue.
"It's a Mystery" is a song by English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as a single in 1981 by Safari Records. The song was a hit in the UK where it peaked in the Top 5 in the charts as the lead track on the EP Four from Toyah.
[O]ne of her slightly sharper efforts, as it zips along on a busy rhythm with Toyah exercising some welcome control in the vocal department.
