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.
We Are
Toyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you hear?
We have come for your minds
We walk the streets arm in arm
Hand in hand
With charm and chance
We are the chosen ones
We are of moon and sun
We are the only ones
We move
We dance
We sing
We burst into flames
We are the chosen ones
We are painted ladies
We are of moon and sun
We are painted boys
We are lots of fun
We are liberators
We are the only ones
We are the golden ones
We move,
We dance,
We sing
You touch,
We burst into flames
Yes, this is a word in your ear
Can you hear?
We have come for your minds
We walk the streets arm in arm
Hand in hand
With charm and chance
We are the chosen ones
We are of moon and sun
We are lots of fun
We are the only ones
We move
We dance
We sing
We burst into flames
We are the chosen ones
We are painted ladies
We are of moon and sun
We are painted boys
We are lots of fun
We are liberators
We are the only ones
We are the golden ones
We move,
We dance,
We sing
You touch,
We burst into flames
You know the time has come
To call a romance
Take a chance
Take a leap
Make a modern classic dream
The song We Are by Toyah is a catchy and upbeat anthem that calls out to those who are ready to take a chance and embrace freedom. The lyrics depict a group of people who believe in themselves and their unique qualities. They move, dance and sing with unbridled joy and fun. They burst into flames at the touch of others who share their passion and they call out to everyone's minds to hear their message of liberation.
The first stanza calls out to the listener's ear with the intention to grab their attention. The chosen ones mentioned are a symbol of a group of people that are hand in hand, arm in arm, walking the streets together with charm and chance. The moon and sun represent the coexistence of opposing forces. They are painted ladies and boys, liberators, and golden ones. All of these identifying descriptions are used to define the same group of people that are unique and different from the rest. The second verse repeats the prior stanza but adds a message of taking a chance at love and making a modern classic dream.
Toyah's lyrics are poetic and almost surreal. They speak of freedom, love, and self-discovery. This song is a call to action for those who want to live life to the fullest and embrace everything that comes their way. We Are by Toyah is a song that will make you want to dance and sing along, but also it carries a deep message of empowerment and acceptance of self.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a word in your ear
Pay attention
Can you hear?
Are you listening?
We have come for your minds
We want to inspire and influence you
We walk the streets arm in arm
We are united and supportive of each other
Hand in hand
Together in cooperation
With charm and chance
Using charismatic and spontaneous approaches
We are the chosen ones
We are unique and empowered
We are of moon and sun
We embody masculine and feminine energy
We are lots of fun
We enjoy life to the fullest
We are the only ones
We are special and unmatched
We move
We take action
We dance
We express ourselves and have fun
We sing
Our voices matter and we use them
We burst into flames
We have intense emotions and fiery passion
We are painted ladies
We are bold and colorful
We are painted boys
Our gender expression is fluid and artistic
We are liberators
We break free from societal norms and expectations
We are the golden ones
We shine and radiate positivity
You touch,
We are sensitive to you
Yes, this is a word in your ear
Listen up, this is important
You know the time has come
It's time for change and progress
To call a romance
To create a loving relationship
Take a chance
Take a risk and try something new
Take a leap
Embrace the unknown
Make a modern classic dream
Create a new vision of success and fulfillment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: JOEL HAROLD BOGEN, TOYAH WILCOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@2525Hudson
Beautiful woman, oh what a great time i had as a 17 year old in this year, i pity the youth of today, they have pressures which we never even knew existed. Happy times.
@22Phantasm
That head of hair ! It's got a life of its own. Love it.
@hornetfronty
I want to go back to 1981. Such great times for music and gigs ( all the 80's). Punks and Goths walking the streets. Exciting times for me as a 15 year old looking forward to leaving the prison of school!
Toyah at Birmingham Odeon Dec '81 with 3 of my school mates was my first gig and I was instantly hooked to live music from then. Thanks Toyah!
@Simonski8
My first gig was dec 81 in Brighton. Went with a mate. Toyah supported by Fad Gadget. Such a major impression on me. 40 years on
@miked4377
me and you both......
@InGuyFawkesWeTrust1605
the stand out song for me from this album.
@drhkleinert3245
Wow, one month later i became 17...in 80 to 83 i was a huge fan of her, had tons of posters...but bec she wasnt that popular in germany it was hard to get fan stuff, May 82 i drove to England with my buddy, by train and Ferry, and bought tons of stuff...oh man, the decades goed by
@samuelblinne6040
Awesome video
@guspisano9777
The voice, the energy and the spirit are still with us today. And as beautiful as ever
@chinhwankim
Thank you.....big fan of you and Robert.