The Story Behind Toy Soldiers by Martika

[@lastremain7867]

The song is so unique I can't really think of another song that's sounds similar.

[@sandile217]

Madonna Live To Tell

[@oldskoolmusicnostalgia]

I think La Solitudine by Laura Pausini and Gocce di Memoria by Giorgia. But these are Italian songs. And indeed Live To Tell.

[@ronnimerwede3087]

If you really truly loved this song and listened to the lyrics you would know it was about addiction.......she even says it in the song "How can I be so blind of this addiction, if I don't stop, the next ones gonna be me". The childrens verse when they say "won't you come out and play with me", is that voice in your head, or temptation calling you to do the drugs.

[@RetroMusicMemories]

Thanks for the comment, Ronni!

[@Doga-fd8ej]

This song was popular when i was a freshman in highschool. I never knew the true meaning of the lyrics back then...Now i have relisened & know the sadnesses of the meaning 😢

[@tedczulewicz2000]

When I first heard this song in August 1989 it really got to me. Great song.

[@christinepeterson3314]

That is a very sad song when you listen to in nowadays. Back then, I had no idea. Wonder what she is doing now?

[@LucyLady1-di1nc]

Your objective spot on thankyou

[@kristensullivan9809]

Always knew it was about drugs & addiction. 1 of my favorites.

[@stephencraig7130]

The music itself is just Haunting. Absolutely Haunting.....

[@tiffanyshanley1419]

The narrator tells of how the song almost didn't happen. We are sure glad it did. It's a beautiful song, however incredibly sad. I miss her voice on the radio

[@RetroMusicMemories]

I miss her as well. It would be great to get some new music from Martika!

[@leroyhudson3877]

Every time I've heard the song, I got emotional. Reason being, as I got older, I understood the lyrics. The song came out a year after I graduated from High School.

[@funwithphonescammers]

I guess we graduated in the same year

[@rb5078]

I was nine years old when this came out so I never knew what it was about until listening to it now in my 40s.

[@Carefulwiththataxejs81]

I was 7 years old when this song came out and even I knew it was about addiction. I thought it was about alcoholism but now that I'm older I know better. This song is a great song to listen to if you need a good cry.

[@RetroMusicMemories]

Very true!

[@ManicMindTrick]

The production behind this song is just breathtaking. Everything is just masterfully arranged and layered. Usually, I can find things in a song I would change or ad but not with this one.

[@RetroMusicMemories]

Totally agree!

[@lessismore8533]

I love the composition because of the relative minor/major contrast . Many hit songs have this

[@LunaRidel]

I have loved this song since 1989 and I am just finding out today that it is about drug addiction. The things that you seem to miss when you're addicted drugs. Been sober since 1998 and love the song still to this day. Thanks for the information.

[@kimbritchford725]

This song always was a favourite, it always takes me back to my ice addiction running chills down my spine...bit by bit torn apart, we never win but the battle wages on, for toy soldiers...very close to my heart and sole...scarey actually.. 6 years clean, and super proud..some of us do win...keep marching guys..

[@wordylou]

❤

[@joycebarricella3050]

I also got caught up drugs, and could have died many times. This song is bare truth. I got clean and have been since 2004.

[@sean4339]

Love this song and martika forever 🥰😍🥰

[@TheRaul26]

Martika we miss you!!!! Come back with new great music 🎶

[@RetroMusicMemories]

A few years back, she was part of one of those 80s revival tours. I would have loved to have seen it!

[@TheRaul26]

@@RetroMusicMemories yes, but it was cancelled sadly. Hope to get back Tours like that soon, with Martika in 🤍🌟🤍

[@spiderz81]

I love this song...And behing an off and on Heroin addict I feel like I have even more of a connection to this 80's masterpiece anthem🕷

[@jeffreyknight3884]

I forgot about this song until I heard it at the kia dealership playing over the speakers. Getting my oil changed, I quickly googled who sang this song. Bam, I found it and ordered the cd with this song on it. I never knew it was about drugs. Beautiful voice...

[@toddfowler4017]

I'm so glad that the song did indeed happen, Mr. Dave! There are so many people that need inspiration and encouragement anywhere, anyway they can get it!! I'm quite sure that song has helped many people over the years, in more ways than one!📻📺🎤🎶🙏🇺🇸

[@michellemckee269]

When I was about 13yrs old, I remember an interview that Martika was being interviewed on the radio station Sweet 98 in Nebraska/Iowa. She had mentioned the song was about Cocaine addiction. That was 32 yrs ago, YIKES!!!!!! HOW TIME DOES FLY SOOO FAST!!!!!!

[@anthonymonteverde4391]

Her other big hit was "Love, Thy Will Be Done"("Martika's Kitchen"). This is 1 of the 4 songs she did with Prince.

[@greenalien3857]

Shes an amazing singer. Kindness and compassion keeps the soul young and the body younger. Happiness will allow you to never age.

[@redactedmane]

reminds me of roller skating parties in elementary school .... where you hold a girls hand for the 1st time. One of the rare songs that hits on many levels, once, then later in life, then even later you get the REAL message and can finally relate to the true meaning. thanks for this deep dive, SUBBED!

[@shaylacrossland1475]

Its a beautiful song. I thought it was about a friend or boyfriend dying or something but it totally makes sense that it's about addiction.

[@mrtjpeno1141]

Beautiful voice and Lyrics coming from a beautiful person. Beautiful human. One of the best. Fergie appeared in this song.

[@somethingaboutbeaute]

Are you talking about *Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas* & I'm a bit stunned by your comment because I was in high school when they first debuted this song but I had no clue she was part of this song. Do you think that you could elaborate a bit??! I would truly & wholeheartedly appreciate it. Thanks so much for your help in advance!!!!!!!! 😁 #YouLearnSomethingNewEverySingleDay 😊

[@miketran4289]

@@somethingaboutbeaute Not only did Fergie sing backup vocals but do did Jennifer Love Hewitt. All three of them was in a kids music show called Kids Incorporated. Jennifer Love Hewitt had 2 albums before she hit it big as a singer then stopped to do movies full time.

[@Karazorel.Ms.PG1]

Some of the other Kids Inc did too ( sing in back ground..devyn,renee,rahsaan along with stacy / fwrgie ....Kids inc was my everything in childhood still love it. Wish kids had it today....also my little nieces love the old epidsodes still ..

[@tahaishawilliams2171]

Even tho its bout drug Addictions it also resonates with heart break from relationships💔😭💔💔💔😩

[@Leonard1977ful]

I've really liked Toy Soldiers when I first saw its music video as a kid in the 80s. I'm 44 now and I will be turning 45 next month. I didn't know it was about drug addiction until my older sister told them what is was about. Then in my 30s, I looked up the song's information online and discovered my sister was right about the song's message. I watch the video whenever I catch it on KZbin. It's such a well-made song with a fantastic uplifting message, telling me the girl learned to get help from her addiction, so she wouldn't die from it like her boyfriend sadly did.

[@RetroMusicMemories]

Thank you for sharing.

[@beautyinall7783]

Love her and knew as a child it was about drug addiction.

[@karlsmith2570]

When Martika was on "Kid's Incorporated," I'd had such a crush on her that after I found out that the local TV station WCOV channel 20, before it became a Fox affiliate, aired the show. Unfortunately, they'd aired it at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning, seeing as I didn't get up that early during the week, let alone on a Saturday and coupled with the fact that I didn't have a functional vcr, what I ultimately ended up doing was, when Friday rolled around, I'd stay up all night on Friday night, just so I'd be able to watch "Kid's Incorporated" at 6:00 am Saturday morning. Needless to say, a lot of my friends and family thought I'd lost my marbles

[@erniesandoval9852]

Great 👌 song.

[@davidponseigo8811]

It came out when I was in high school and I remember people saying it was about drugs but I just liked the song.

[@blagojelukic]

I had a dream..she changed for better now..she was too thin recently and now she is back to herself best and her vocals are back

[@michellemckee269]

I knew the song TOY SOLDIERS was about drugs!! Right around time when the song came out, there was a late night radio interview with MARTIKA. And she mentioned that, that song was about her friend's addiction to drugs. Whenever I play that song it gives me the chills, but it takes me back to that time when was kid. Now I'm in my 40s and still LOVE THAT SONG!!!!!!❤❤

[@kevinjenkins692]

I was three years old at the time of this song's release. Between NWA and Bobby Brown,this song was in heavy rotation on MTV. Obviously, I didn't know the meaning and it wasn't until adulthood when I finally understood what the song's subject matter was. This song was perfect because it was released right smack dab in the middle of the Crack epidemic. Maybe it got through to some people and maybe it didn't.

[@crow8877]

I always knew it was about drug addiction. But very good video!

[@GenX4ever]

Nice channel dude. If you haven't heard it played on piano it really showcases the genius of the melody. Very awesome song. And who didn't have a crush on her back in the day? I know I did!

[@RetroMusicMemories]

Thanks for the kind words...and the tip. I'll see if I can track that version down!

[@kyliepollert8341]

I found out Fergie sang backup on this song a couple years ago, but I never knew it was about drug addiction.

[@joshburns4611]

The irony of Fergie singing backup on a song about drug addiction is that Fergie would become an addict herself a few years later.

[@robertoalmeidadossantos9778]

Martika the best.

[@OfficialJesseUSA]

back in the day I really thought r it was about lovers. The drug addiction truth caught me off guard.

[@V01t2]

I remember that summer

[@chuckles1972]

She only had two albums!!

[@saintelmo5590]

Taylor WHO? In my opinion, Martika's big hit, "Toy Soldiers" outclasses anything the vacuous Ms. Swift could crap out in her entire lifetime.

[@Pavia1525]

Fergie sang backup vocals on Toy Soldiers

[@RetroMusicMemories]

Good info!

[@Pavia1525]

@@RetroMusicMemories yes

[@Pavia1525]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJOwoXiGp8-GiKM

[@LittleJoeTheMoonlightCat]

Well Martika was Marta Marreno on Kids Inc, from 1984 - 1989, when she got to old for the show, And Although Kids Inc sang Popular songs of the 80s, she knew what she was doing. Then Stacy Ferguson switched bands and joined The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Leaving Me Wondering, Who's this Fergi? then someone Mentioned Kids Inc. And I was like, Are they talking about Stacy Ferguson?

[@EricRayden]

BUT THE BATTLE WAGESSSSS ONNN.........❤

[@smilanesi98]

She❤was so🎉special❤

[@LucyLady1-di1nc]

She was on an episode of silver spoons called , " band on the run "

[@vincentvalerio915]

Kids inc forever

[@SamuelPatrick-ls3eq]

Like drug addition almost always murders..she. Murdered the world with this phenomenal..I don't know what to call it...great fucking music....sam

[@bnky6411]

Does any1 know who the actor was that played her boyfriend in the video?

[@RetroMusicMemories]

He looks familiar...but I have no idea who he is.

[@azurenojito2251]

I am 48 and never heard this song before today. It couldn't have been hugely popular, just saying.

[@ElChavo1128]

3:53 i mean he also sampled Dido's thank you for his song Stan, nad both of the songs didn't have anything to do with the same thing, Stan is about an Obsessive fan

[@eriktheone8219]

I use to do drugs and listening to her lyrics I do know what she is saying and I can relate to it.😊

[@Kilroy_5150]

From just watching the video i had no idea it was about drugs, i mean it didn't even come close to eluding to that. And, honestly, in the 80s i didn't know who Martika was. I "may" have browsed the video but didn't pay a ton of attention to it because i was into Van Halen, Zeppelin, and hair metal bands. I picked up on this song decades later and then looked back to say...."???? Who was this chick and what happened to her?" I never heard of Kid's Inc because, again, it wasn't in the line of things i was paying attention to and it could be i didn't have the right cable channels at the time. It's a good song and i'll look into her follow-up album. I feel bad for Prince however because he tried to help a lot of other performers that just didn't carry on the way he did in music and they generally faded after their callaborations with him from the main-line. But then MtV (to me) began to "die" in the mid-90s when the focus was being taken off music and more into reality shows.

[@KardboardKenny]

...but it says it in the lyrics "How could I be so blind to this addiction?".

[@joshburns4611]

To be fair, your taking that lyric out of context. Anything can become an addiction. It's when you put that whole second verse together in addition to the rest of the song that you realize it's about drug addiction.

[@dougmann66]

Majorcool !

[@dangleeson-tr7lg]

Love thy will be done I feel the earth move Martika’s kitchen Ok there are three more songs that where number 1 in Australia

[@waltomasheski9003]

Was not written by Martika. Was written by Michael Jay

[@buzzsaw755]

I had no idea this song was about drug addiction. just that it is a great song

[@mmolenda8141]

You have to listen to both Martika and the verse of Toy Soldiers to interpret the lyrics being about drug addiction. I know because I lived it and was able to break free. Over 14 yrs and still going strong. We Do Recover

[@buzzsaw755]

@@mmolenda8141 Very glad you recovered M!!!!

[@Jess-kn8vl]

Anyone know who the male actor was in the video? 😎

[@garytompkins6932]

Ive got a crush !! Holla at me Marta😅😅

[@bunnymama1095]

never knew

[@regularguyfixes3142]

One Note missed is that Fergie did back up vocals on toy soldiers.

[@RetroMusicMemories]

Thanks for sharing RGF!

[@courtneycallen]

So did Jennifer Love Hewitt!

[@Mr79Man]

I thought it was about premarital sex. Encouraging abstinence.

[@maryclark1049]

Kids incorporated sucked but loved a lot of Martikas solo stuff.

[@anamarijapucko9749]

I think that friend maybe was Corey. ❤️

[@norabeall4818]

Always knew it was of drug addiction.😞

[@kitanotenshi]

Always thought about addiction, but specifically drugs, no

[@veronicafox399]

Thought it was heroin, specifically

[@Marcel2231]

I thought it was always about real soldiers going into war and dieing. Why is the word soldiers in the song for if it's about drug addiction?

[@RetroMusicMemories]

Artistic license, I guess.

[@jennifergarvin5003]

it tourments me when listening rto it due to my husband is in Ukraine at the moment and I worry about him dying during patrol is my fear and the song enhances the fear but will listen to it to shortcircit fear thanks for the true meaning to the song

[@Bill_The_YouTuber]

Jennifer Love Hewitt & Fergie... these two lovely lady lumps *_CHECK IT OUT!_*

[@Manna515]

Apparently...it's about dying at the cl@ning centre 😮

[@eugeneroberts6617]

🤔🤔🤔 I believe it definitely has a hidden dark meaning

[@mikehernandez5878]

I always thought it had something to do with child exploitation

[@dimitrioskultukis2358]

Addiction to drugs!