"Thunder in the Mountains" is the eighth UK single by the band Toyah

Toyah (band)

Toyah is the name of the band fronted by 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.-Background :...

, fronted by Toyah Willcox

Toyah Willcox

Toyah Ann Willcox is an English actress and singer. In a career spanning more than thirty years Toyah has had 13 top 40 singles, released 22 studio albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays and ten feature films, as well as voicing and presenting numerous television shows...

, and was released in 1981.

The single, which was not included on an album at the time, continued the success of previous hits. It reached number four in the UK Singles Chart and was again backed by an appearance on Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...

plus a memorable video directed by Godley & Creme

Godley & Creme

Godley & Creme were an English pop music duo composed of Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. The pair began releasing albums as a duo after splitting from the pop band 10cc. In 1979 they directed their first music video for their own single "An Englishman in New York"...

.

Both sides of this single, and the 12" exclusive b-side "Voodoo Doll", were eventually included on several CD releases, "Thunder in the Mountains" and "Voodoo Doll" on the 1999 reissue of The Changeling

The Changeling (album)

The Changeling was Toyah's follow-up album to the critically acclaimed Anthem. Although it has a similar overall sound, the band's writing took a darker, almost gothic direction...

, "Street Addict" on the 2002 reissue of Sheep Farming In Barnet

Sheep Farming In Barnet

Sheep Farming in Barnet is the debut album by Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1979 by Safari Records. The album was originally released as a 6-track extended EP, dubbed an 'Alternate Play' record by Safari, and was later expanded into full-album status...

/The Blue Meaning

The Blue Meaning

The Blue Meaning is the second album by Toyah, released in 1980 by Safari Records. Although not the first full-length release, this is often considered to be the band's first "proper" album....

and they all also feature on the 2005 compilation The Safari Singles Collection Part 2: 1981-1983. The single also became the most collectible Toyah release to date, with several variations available.

7" vinyl

• A: Thunder in the Mountains [Willcox/Lee/Glockler]
• B: Street Addict [Willcox/Bogen/Spalding]

Catalogue Number: SAFE 38
Catalogue Number: SAFE P38 (Picture disc)

Available in a card or paper sleeve.

12" vinyl

• A: Thunder in the Mountains [Willcox/Lee/Glockler]
• B1: Street Addict [Willcox/Bogen/Spalding]
• B2: Voodoo Doll [Willcox/Bogen/Spalding/Lee/Glockler]

Catalogue Number: SAFE L38

12" Picture disc vinyl

• A: Thunder in the Mountains [Willcox/Lee/Glockler]
• B: Street Addict [Willcox/Bogen/Spalding]

Catalogue Number: SAFE LP38

This edition housed the 7" Picture Disc in a 12" transparent vinyl record, and is one of the rarest Toyah collectibles available to date.

Produced by Nick Tauber.
Published by Sweet 'n' Sour Songs Ltd.

Both sides of all releases ran at 45RPM.

Personnel

• Toyah Willcox : vocals
• Joel Bogen : guitar
• Phil Spalding : bass
• Nigel Glockler : drums
• Adrian Lee : keyboards