"Toy Town" is a happy hardcore track by British duo Hixxy and Sharkey. Released in 1995, the single was a hit in the UK clubbing scene, peaked at number 24 in the UK dance singles chart, and had a pivotal impact in the UK rave music scene with a move away from breakbeat towards the newer happy hardcore "cheesy" sound.
| "Toy Town" | |
|---|---|
 Single cover | |
| Single by Hixxy and Sharkey | |
| Released | 1995 |
| Genre | Happy hardcore[1] |
| Length |
|
| Label | Essential Platinum |
| Songwriter(s) | Ian Hicks, Jonathan Kneath |
| Producer(s) | Ian Hicks, Jonathan Kneath |
| Music video | |
| "Toy Town ('Noddy & Bigears' Mix)" on YouTube | |
| "Toy Town ('In Ya Face' Mix)" on YouTube | |
History
editThe track, written and produced by Hixxy and Sharkey, was inspired by the earlier "toytown techno" phase characterised by tracks such as "Charly" by the Prodigy. It starts with a chopped amen break, and goes on to feature "sugar sweet" vocals, a "bouncy kick" and an "ultra-cheesy stab pattern". It has elements of hip hop, house, gabba and techno. Playing at the high tempo characteristic of the "speedrush" of the genre, by the end of the track it has been described as going towards "unstoppable mania".[1][2][3][4][5]
In 1994, it became a club "anthem", and following release on the Essential Platinum label in 1995 it peaked at number 24 in the UK Dance Singles official chart and sold c. 5,000 copies.[2][4][6] The reception of the track was divided, with both support and detraction. MC Magika stated it "was a fork in the road" that "almost destroyed the scene in its current form".[7] On the one hand it was considered a "breath of fresh air" due to the lack of breakbeats, that appealed to a newer generation, but on the other many found the sound to be "cheesy".[3] The "juvenile" hardcore sound, being high tempo with pitched vocals and catchy choruses and samples, had been expected to herald the "death of rave" but the success of the track was cited as opposing evidence.[8]
The "cult" success of the track led to interest from the React record label. As a result, Hixxy and Sharkey were signed to the label to create the Bonkers hardcore compilation series, which went on to have at least 19 releases from 1996 to 2009, achieving both chart and sales success even if not attaining the critical cachet of "cooler" sounds. "Toy Town" was the first track on the first compilation.[2][5][7]
In a 2011 retrospective article BBC Radio 1 DJ Kutski stated that the track is a "classic" and "the definition of the UK hardcore sound".[9]
Track listing
edit- "Toy Town" ('Noddy & Bigears' Mix) - (6:13)
- "Toy Town" ('In Ya Face' Mix) - (5:16)
- "Toy Town" (Bass-D, F. Noize and Potato Remix) - (3:23)
Charts
edit| Chart | Year | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| UK Dance Singles[6] | 1995 | 24
|
References
edit- ^ a b Ravens, Chal (11 March 2020). "Happy hardcore will never die: the life of rave's most juvenile subculture". Dazed. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b c Roberts, Joe (10 March 2019). "Happy hardcore will never die: An ode to the Bonkers series - DJ Mag". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b S, Ian (19 August 2021). "Gone To A Rave #35: High On A Happy Vibe - The Rise And Fall Of Hardcore - Ransom Note". The Ransom Note. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b Wyburn, Claire (May 1997). "Born Slippy". Muzik. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b "The beginners guide to: hardcore". Music Radar. 1 September 2021. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b "TOY TOWN – DJ HIXXY & MC SHARKEY - Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b Hodgson, Jaimie (20 July 2021). "'Why Don't We All Go Bonkers?' – The Rise and Fall of Happy Hardcore". Vice. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ The Billboard illustrated encyclopedia of music. Billboard Books. 2003. p. 320. ISBN 0823078698.
- ^ Kutski (27 May 2011). "Snap, Crackle....Drop! #5". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
