I'm Not Your Toy
Encyclopedia
"I'm Not Your Toy" is a song by English electropop duo La Roux
from their self-titled debut album, La Roux
. Written and produced by Elly Jackson
and Ben Langmaid, the song was released as the album's fourth single on 28 September 2009. It is available on CD, 12"
and digital
formats including two new remix
es by Jack Beats and DatA. The single made its debut on the UK Singles Chart
at number ninety-one on the issue dated 20 September 2009—due to digital downloads from the La Roux album—, peaking at number twenty-seven two weeks later.
gave the song only two stars—after previous hits "In for the Kill" and "Bulletproof" both received five stars—, stating, "Neither as charming as their breakthrough nor as instantly catchy as their recent chart-topper, 'I'm Not Your Toy' is a plodding and disposable effort that lacks any real magic or flare." He also characterised the song's choice for a single as "a missed opportunity" since "[t]heir album offers more depth and variety than the uninitiated might expect." Luke Turner of the NME
, however, wrote that the song's "calypso
flick no doubt had Lily Allen
green-faced during La Roux's recent support slot." The magazine later placed the song at number forty-one on its list of the 50 Best Tracks of 2009, further commenting that "Elly's voice never embodied heartbreak more sharply."
-directed video
appears to be a futuristic spa resort
with tropical plants and fruits surrounding a swimming pool. The video shows Jackson sitting on a throne, watching an alter ego
version of herself performing the song. Slowly her music attracts a large audience of all ages. Originally they listen with skeptical expressions on their faces, but they begin to enjoy the rhythm of the song. Knowing that the onlookers are happy, Jackson relaxes, and enjoys singing the song alongside four female dancers. Jackson looks again into another room, where several people from the previous scene and others put on sunglasses that seem to be playing the music. The people then start dancing while two children watch with further skepticism. The scene then swaps back to the spa location, where all the group are dancing and laughing. La Roux bandmates Mickey, Mikey and Will have a brief cameo amongst the crowd that Jackson attracted.
La Roux
La Roux are an English electropop duo made up of singer, keyboardist, co-writer and co-producer Eleanor Kate Jackson, and co-writer and co-producer Ben Langmaid. Jackson describes their relationship as "very much a half and half sharing situation... not like a singer producer outfit", but also...
from their self-titled debut album, La Roux
La Roux (album)
La Roux is the eponymous debut album by English electropop duo La Roux. Released in the United Kingdom on 29 June 2009 by Polydor Records, the album includes the hit singles "In for the Kill" and "Bulletproof", which peaked at numbers two and one on the UK Singles Chart, respectively...
. Written and produced by Elly Jackson
Elly Jackson
Eleanor Kate "Elly" Jackson is an English singer-songwriter and the lead singer of the electropop duo La Roux. She is well known for her red hair and androgynous style.-Biography:...
and Ben Langmaid, the song was released as the album's fourth single on 28 September 2009. It is available on CD, 12"
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
and digital
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
formats including two new remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es by Jack Beats and DatA. The single made its debut on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at number ninety-one on the issue dated 20 September 2009—due to digital downloads from the La Roux album—, peaking at number twenty-seven two weeks later.
Critical reception
"I'm Not Your Toy" received mixed reviews from music critics. David Balls of Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
gave the song only two stars—after previous hits "In for the Kill" and "Bulletproof" both received five stars—, stating, "Neither as charming as their breakthrough nor as instantly catchy as their recent chart-topper, 'I'm Not Your Toy' is a plodding and disposable effort that lacks any real magic or flare." He also characterised the song's choice for a single as "a missed opportunity" since "[t]heir album offers more depth and variety than the uninitiated might expect." Luke Turner of the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
, however, wrote that the song's "calypso
Calypso music
Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago from African and European roots. The roots of the genre lay in the arrival of enslaved Africans, who, not being allowed to speak with each other, communicated through song...
flick no doubt had Lily Allen
Lily Allen
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
green-faced during La Roux's recent support slot." The magazine later placed the song at number forty-one on its list of the 50 Best Tracks of 2009, further commenting that "Elly's voice never embodied heartbreak more sharply."
Music video
The setting of the AlexandLianeAlexandLiane
Alex Large and Liane Sommers are a British directing team who have been based in Berlin since 2000. They have made music videos for Kylie Minogue, La Roux, Tiga, Take That, Cheryl Cole, Scissor Sisters, Dido, Mika, Bloc Party, The Ting Tings, Sam Sparro, Armand Van Helden, Tocotronic and...
-directed video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
appears to be a futuristic spa resort
Destination spa
A destination spa is a short term residential/lodging facility with the primary purpose of providing individual services for spa-goers to develop healthy habits. Historically many such spas were developed at the location of natural hot springs or sources of mineral waters...
with tropical plants and fruits surrounding a swimming pool. The video shows Jackson sitting on a throne, watching an alter ego
Alter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
version of herself performing the song. Slowly her music attracts a large audience of all ages. Originally they listen with skeptical expressions on their faces, but they begin to enjoy the rhythm of the song. Knowing that the onlookers are happy, Jackson relaxes, and enjoys singing the song alongside four female dancers. Jackson looks again into another room, where several people from the previous scene and others put on sunglasses that seem to be playing the music. The people then start dancing while two children watch with further skepticism. The scene then swaps back to the spa location, where all the group are dancing and laughing. La Roux bandmates Mickey, Mikey and Will have a brief cameo amongst the crowd that Jackson attracted.
Track listings
- UK CD single
- "I'm Not Your Toy" – 3:19
- "I'm Not Your Toy" (Jack Beats Remix) – 5:37
- "I'm Not Your Toy" (DatA Remix) – 5:16
- UK 12" single
- A1. "I'm Not Your Toy" – 3:19
- A2. "I'm Not Your Toy" (Jack Beats Remix) – 5:37
- B1. "I'm Not Your Toy" (DatA Remix) – 5:16
- iTunes EP
- "I'm Not Your Toy" – 3:19
- "I'm Not Your Toy" (Jack Beats Remix) – 5:37
- "I'm Not Your Toy" (DatA Remix) – 5:15
- "I'm Not Your Toy" (NeroNero (band)Nero are an electronic music act from London, England consisting of Daniel Stephens and Joe Ray. Alana Watson provides vocals on many of the duo's songs, though she is not officially a band member. On 6 December 2010, Nero were announced as nominees for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll.-History:Nero...
Remix) – 5:34
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Tip Chart Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995... (Flanders) |
14 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
27 |
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
79 |
Release history
| Country | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 27 September 2009 | Polydor Records Polydor Records Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone... |
Digital EP Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
| 28 September 2009 | CD single, 12" single 12-inch single The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality... |