Meaning of “Toy Soldiers” by Martika
“Toy Soldiers” is the title of a song performed by American singer and songwriter Martika. The lyrics of this song were written about a friend of Martika’s who was struggling intensely with drug addiction. Below are Martika’s exact words about the meaning of the track:
In the song, Martika tries to warn her listeners of how dangerous drugs can be. In doing so, she lets us know that drugs can control a user in a similar fashion that kids control the toys that they play with.
But what addiction was Martika’s friend suffering from? And did he/she ever get clean?
Martika’s friend was suffering from a serious addiction to cocaine. Fortunately for her friend, they ended up getting clean.
That being said, it’s noteworthy to mention that Martika has never revealed the identity of the person behind the song’s lyrics. While some claim it was one of her producers, others believe that the person might have been indeed none but Martika herself.
Facts about “Toy Soldiers”
- “Toy Soldiers” was written by Martika alongside songwriter and producer Michael Jay (who also produced it).
- In the United Kingdom, this track was released on 21 January, 1989. It was later released in May of that same year in the United States.
- “Toy Soldiers” was released as a single from Martika’s self-titled debut album (Martika).
- When “Toy Soldiers” came out, many initially thought it was a break-up ballad. But like we all know today, the song is about the dangers of drug addiction.
- “Toy Soldiers” reached number 1 in US Billboard Hot 100 (making it Martika’s first song to reach number 1 in the United States). In the UK, it reached number 5. To date, this is Martika’s biggest hit in the United States.
- In 2004, American rapper made this song even more famous when he sampled it in his hit single also titled “Toy Soldiers”.
Was “Toy Soldiers” released as a single?
Yes. It was one of the four singles from Martika’s debut studio album.
Who sings the background vocals on “Toy Soldiers”?
At least 9 famous people sing the backing vocals on this track, including actress Jennifer Love Hewitt and singer/actress Fergie. The others are: Renee Sands, Kimberly McCullough, Devyn Puett, Marlen Landin, Alitzah Wiener and Rasha Patterson.
Did “Toy Soldiers” win a Grammy?
No. As a matter of fact, Martika is yet to win a Grammy.
Thank you very much! Is she still a live? If she’s, how old ?
Yes, she very much is alive and active. Since she was born in May 1969, that would make her roughly 50 years as of 12/6/2019 (date of this comment).
She is 51 years old
She is 54
I find it so cool that she used quite a few kids from Kids, Incorporated. Renee Sands, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Devyn Puett and Fergie. Renee Sands, Fergie, and Martika were in the original cast and Fergie was in the show for almost the entire run.
I can’t help but feel that the literal explanation of this song (drug addiction battle) has overshadowed many important bits and pieces Martika threw into it maybe without realizing their importance. Because beyond the drug addiction, the lyrics allude to a number of things: the futility of many battles we wage in life (we never win), feelings of hopelessness and the fact that ultimately, “only emptiness remains” as a legacy for people as their lives come to an end.
It is an absolutely stunning piece of songwriting for someone this young at the time, not even out of her teenage years yet.
I think the “only emptiness remains” lyric refers to the emptiness that addicts feel when the conquer their addiction – a kind of false win – on the one hand you get rid of your addiction but on the other you re-discover the very reason you became addicted in the first place – a vacuous existence.
I think the emptiness that remains is after the addict takes the drug and is emotionally anesthetized. The pain is replaced. But it is hard to live life when you cannot experience feelings. That was my personal experience with addiction. I haven’t used drugs in years. Recovery is possible. The battle waging on for “toy soldiers” might be how it seems in early recovery, going back and forth, the relapses, but through prerserverance, and with great moral support, I got clean. So anyone can.
Wow
That’s so damn true!
whom ever the song is about thank God they were able to win over their addiction
I think this song so accurately depicts how the population is nothing but a bunch of brain washed followers when caught in vulnerability and in the masses! Recipes for war!
I just heard this on the radio this morning. A beautifully crafted song by a talented sing. Today I really listened. We all have Demons to battle: Drugs, Loneliness, Aging , Breakups and Health. Thank you Martika.
🥹 and thank you anonymous
Beautiful insight into pain, loneliness and addiction.
Never heard this message before or never looked but now I do bc resonates differently for me . It’s more of child of trauma wages on torn apart like soldiers yet we become better
I think it’s a brilliant piece, written for even todays situation. Brilliance in itself.
Excellent song, haunting words & melody, it’s as relevant today as it was in 1989. I just heard it on the radio a few min. ago.
GREAT THANKS
I have battled drug addiction my whole life and it has brought nothing but misery to me. As I write this through my tears, my brother has threatened to kick me out of the house. I have suffered through three heart attacks and congestive heart failure, I still am doing drugs. I don`t sleep or eat for days, hallucinate and my complexion is grayish in color. I`m trying hard to stay off the drugs, today is only day 4. I lost my mother and father recently and drugs was an escape from reality of feeling the pain, agony and grief . I`m so lonely. Please pray for me .
I’m so sorry to hear about your pain in your addiction I to know it all too well it’s a vicious cycle and I’m praying to God that he will give you the strength to make it through this
No one can do it for you. Only you can do it for yourself. You CAN do it and I am rooting for you.
I get it. I am currently (still) im my heroin addiction which ive struggled w for goin on 20 years. And ive been asked to get out and stax away because im an addict and all that entails….it sucks and its scary. For me….drugs was how i coped and numbed all the bad stuff. But what ive learned is how even with being sober the trauma will nevrr leave. Even after therapy and meds and etc etc….we can only find ways to deal with it. I beleive that trauma is a gateway drug and it like the addiction cant be cured
Please, please, please, please write to me! I went through the same and survived to tell, please write to me on [email protected], I am giving away my E-mail publicly, please make the spam I now will most certainly receive worthwhile. Reach out to me, God is good, you WILL find the light, comfort and save yourself! God loves you even if you don’t!!!
Bosko
Good for you reaching out to help..
Doesnt matter what religion you are , helping other people in need is what life is about
I pray for you ! I know the feeling. I’m clean now. But understand
Hang in there .
I prayed for you .. I know a few great guys who unfortunately have gone down the same path.
Its not easy but there is medical help out there
great concert at popular creek with rick. mom is also a nice person. also a shout out to micheal j. alan s from chicago
You have to learn to hate the drugs.
Think of it as the apple Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat. Temptation only is like a worm on a hook, to remove that hook will hurt, but with a
support system it will heal.
I read she overdosed and was the child of Vidal Sasson.
“It wasn’t my intention to mislead you, it never should have been this way. What can i say? “
– who was it that she was not meaning to mislead? Herself? The drug? Her parents? Boyfriend?
“It’s true, I did extend the invitation, I never knew how long you’d stay”
– Is invitation metaphor for something or is she talking to someone who let her crash at their house for example? But then she says ‘ i never knew how long you’d stay so that seems as if another person is talking to her so is this part a different angle? Or by staying does she mean sticking around to a friend she has treated badly when high perhaps?
“When you hear temptation call, it’s your heart that takes, takes the fall, won’t you come out and play with me (Childs voice)
– so now is it back to her talking generally about how your heart sinks as you know you are about to buy more, you hate what you are doing but you can’t help it and it’s only yourself that suffers most.
– I wonder if the ‘ won’t you come out and play with me’ is supposed to be the drug or dealer calling out to her, teasing, come to play but of course that means take the drug.
Thoughts?
Dean
I wonder if it was Fergie who was the friend. She had been very vocal she had an addiction and back then, except for those who watched K.Inc., didn’t know who Fergie was yet. It would be a few years later she and Renee made Wild Orchids., then she joined Black Eyed Peas. So, possible that’s who Martika was singing about. Just my opinion. IDK if she would sing this about herself and not share it was her. Most who battled and then tell their story, admit it was them. Also, don’t think it was Michael either. But who knows. If she was under age, which I think she was when this was written, she may have not been able to talk about it, so this was her way. Sadly, I never followed up on her. I had won her cd from being live on the air asking Bad English a question. Never made any sense to me why I got her cd and not Bad English’s but, only ended up liking the 1 song so sold it for $10. LOL Should have kept it but oh well. Anyways, yeah that’s my opinion.