She attended Edgbaston C of E College where she gained a GCE pass in music and trained as an actress at the Old Rep Drama School in her home town of Birmingham. Toyah's father ran successful joinery businesses.
She first became well-known during the punk rock era, her appearances in Derek Jarman's 1977 film Jubilee and 1979's Who album-inspired Quadrophenia launching her as a provocative and anti-establishment figure, an image she eventually abandoned.
Fronting a band known as Toyah, her singing career was slow to take off and the band released six singles in the UK before finally hitting the charts in 1981, with "It's A Mystery" and "I Want To Be Free". These singles were also successful on an international level. In 1982, she was voted Best Female Singer at the British Rock and Pop Awards — since restyled as The BRIT Awards, or "BRITs" — and in 1986 she married UK guitarist Robert Fripp. She was one of the first acts to score regularly in the UK Singles Chart with EPs. Also in 1986, Willcox sang lead on the Tony Banks track "Lion of Symmetry". In 1987 she made the top fifty with her version of "Echo Beach".
Since then, she has become a well-known (and more conventional) face on television and in the theatre. She has played straight roles, including in Quatermass (1979) and in Shakespeare plays, and appeared as a presenter of programmes such as Songs of Praise, Holiday (BBC), and Good Sex Guide Late. In 1999, she took the lead in the children's television series, Barmy Aunt Boomerang. She also provides the voiceover for the children's television programmes, the Teletubbies and Brum. More recently, she appeared in the reality television series I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! and I'm Famous and Frightened!.
Following her 2000 autobiography Living Out Loud, Toyah had a further autobiographical book published in 2005 documenting her experience of cosmetic surgery, Diary of a Facelift.
She has appeared on radio including the 2002 BBC Radio 4 series The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
She continues to perform with her band, releasing a live DVD in 2005, and has a busy schedule with theatre commitments, including appearing on stage in London's West End performing the title role of Calamity Jane at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2003.
She is currently appearing in the musical 'Vampire's Rock' in theatres across the UK.
School
Toyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makin' all that noise, cause they found new toys
Oh we can't salute ya, can't find a flag
If that don't suit ya, that's a drag
School's out for summer
School's out for ever
School's been blown to pieces
Well we got no class
And we got no principles
And we got no innocence
We can't even think of a word that rhymes
School's out for summer
School's out for ever
School's been blown to pieces
No more pencils, no more books
No more teachers dirty looks
Out for summer, out till fall
We might not come back at all
School's out for summer
School's out for ever
School's been blown to pieces
School's out for summer
School's out for ever
School's been blown to pieces
School's out completely
No more pencils, no more books
No more teacher's dirty looks
"School" by Toyah is a classic rock song that vividly captures the excitement and rebellion of youth. The opening lines of the song, "Well we got no choice, all the girls and boys, Makin' all that noise, cause they found new toys," are a classic example of the carefree attitude of young students towards their school responsibilities. The lyrics also suggest that the students are not only making noise but have found new things to keep them occupied. This is a common theme amongst teens who often prefer having fun to doing as they are told. The subsequent lines of the song, "Oh we can't salute ya, can't find a flag, If that don't suit ya, that's a drag" further show the students' disdain for authority, who they see as having nothing to offer them but rules.
The rebellion in the song is shown by lines such as "School's out for summer, School's out for ever, School's been blown to pieces" which suggest a break in the students' routine and a time to let loose. The students feel like they are done with school, done with the rules and regulations that govern their lives. They have no class or principles, no innocence, and no desire to learn. They are out for summer and possibly forever. These lines reflect the common feeling amongst teenagers that they are invincible and can do whatever they want.
In summary, the song "School" by Toyah is a classic rock song that captures the spirit of youth and rebellion, with its lyrics suggesting that students are tired of being told what to do and are ready to enjoy their youth. The song is a testament to the age-old struggle between generations, reflecting how youth culture is constantly changing and evolving, while their elders try to maintain order and tradition.
Line by Line Meaning
Well we got no choice, all the girls and boys
We have no say in the matter, both genders are affected.
Makin' all that noise, cause they found new toys
The excitement of new things drives them to be boisterous.
Oh we can't salute ya, can't find a flag
We don't have anything to offer in recognition of your leadership.
If that don't suit ya, that's a drag
If you're unhappy with our lack of support, sorry but we can't do anything about it.
Well we got no class
We lack the refinement of proper education.
And we got no principles
Our values are not based on ethical obligations.
And we got no innocence
We have experienced or witnessed things that have taken away our naivety and purity.
We can't even think of a word that rhymes
We lack the basic skills of education like finding a word that rhymes.
No more pencils, no more books
We are free from the tools of education.
No more teachers dirty looks
We no longer fear or feel inferior to the teacher's critical gaze.
Out for summer, out till fall
We are free to enjoy the season without the constraints of the school calendar.
We might not come back at all
We are considering not returning to school in the future.
School's out completely
We are completely released from the grip of formal education.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID N. LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adrian Guynn
I used to see this building from the highway whenever I would drive home to Dallas. One day I stopped and peaked in the windows, about 10 years prior to this video. It is amazing how much it has crumbled since then.
Richard Ellis
The school was still open in the early 70's: Our high school played them in basketball and football. Six-Man football. The last year I played they only had 7 players on their team so everyone was on the field for the majority of the game. At 0:15 the location of the football field can be seen across the street with a coupld of trucks and some trailers parked in it.
QueensJack
I love the history that comes with the fly overs... I've been to Pecos, stopped at the Judge Roy Bean exhibit too..
monse munoz
I went to school n the 8th grade.. think it was n 1974 -1975 Pretty cool. 😊❤Monse Berdoza
Steven Pilling
What were their school colours and mascot?
Celina Garcia
black and white
Doug Suarez
I was just there