This article is about the Martika song. For the song by Eminem, see Like Toy Soldiers. Show
"Toy Soldiers" is a song by American singer Martika appearing on her 1988 eponymous debut album and released in the United States as the second single from the album on April 26, 1989. It was a number-one Billboard Hot 100 hit for two weeks in mid-1989. An edited version of the song is included in the imported version of the album Toy Soldiers: The Best of Martika. Song overview[edit]Martika wrote the song about a friend who was battling a cocaine addiction. "I was a little hesitant because I had only written two songs before and they were light songs. I came up to Michael and said I wanted to write about drugs. It was the first time I got the nerve to write about something that was scary for me to talk about, so I did."[2] According to an episode of VH-1's Pop-Up Video, in which "Toy Soldiers" was featured, the friend-in-question eventually conquered the addiction. Composition[edit]The song is performed in the key of C♯ minor with a tempo of
65 beats per minute in 4 Critical reception[edit]Bryan Buss of AllMusic retrospectively reviewed the Martika album, stating "the big hit single, 'Toy Soldiers', works with its childlike vocals and lyrics, creating a haunting, effective dichotomy with its subject of drug addiction." Buss also highlighted the song as an album standout by labeling it an AMG Pick Track.[3] Rob Theakston of Allmusic labeled the song as an AMG Pick Track on the 2005 compilation Toy Soldiers: The Best of Martika.[4] Chart success[edit]The song spent two weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and in New Zealand while peaking within the top ten of the charts in both Australia and the United Kingdom. On Billboard's year-end chart for 1989, "Toy Soldiers" placed number 29. It was Martika's only number-one single in the US, and her highest-ranking single in the United Kingdom. The single was certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In March and April 2009, VH1 ran a countdown of the 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s. "Toy Soldiers" placed at number 67 on the countdown, although Martika had three other top 40 hits: "More Than You Know" (number 18); "I Feel the Earth Move" (number 25); and "Love... Thy Will Be Done" (number 10). Music video[edit]The video for the song was directed by Jim Shea, who later became a regular in directing country music videos. Martika is seen singing with a waterfall in front of her (this was done by filming her in an empty pool with a water current flowing between her and the camera). Track listings[edit]7-inch single
3-inch single
12-inch single
Charts[edit]Certifications[edit]Release history[edit]Cover versions and sampling[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
External links[edit]
Who wrote like toy soldiers?Like Toy Soldiers. When did Martika Toy Soldiers come out?1988
Who was the song toy soldiers about?In 2003, Eminem released the diss track, hoping, to end all diss tracks, “Like Toy Soldiers.” The song criticizes beefing in the rap community along with the increasingly deadly consequences. The song was first featured on Eminem's fifth album, Encore (2004), and garnered widespread critical approval, peaking at No.
Why did Martika quit?Martika: 'Fame was too much, too soon, too young – that's why I quit music at 22'
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Who wrote Toy Soldiers by Martika?
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