Harman Patil (Editor)

Cuddly Toy (song)

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Recorded
  
1988

Label
  
CBS

Length
  
3:45

Released
  
June 1988 (original) January 1989 (re-release/US release)

Format
  
CD single, 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl

Genre
  
Pop rock, dance-rock, R&B

"Cuddly Toy" was the first hit single release from British band Roachford, fronted by Andrew Roachford. It was the second single taken from their self-titled debut studio album.

Contents

"Cuddly Toy" was first released in June 1988 and peaked inside the UK Singles Chart at number 61, spending four weeks inside the UK top 75. In January 1989, the song was re-released and became the band's biggest hit, peaking at number 4 and spending a further 9 weeks inside the top 75. The song was also the group's biggest hit in the U.S., where it was re-titled "Cuddly Toy (Feel for Me)", peaking at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1989. In Australia, "Cuddly Toy" peaked at number 73 on the ARIA Singles Chart in December 1988.

The song was featured in the 2009 video game Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony.

The song also features prominently in the opening credits sequence of the 2013 film Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.

Gary Barlow did a cover of the song for the B-side of his single "Love Won't Wait".

Original release (CBS ROA 2)

CD Single
  1. "Cuddly Toy" - 3:45
  2. "Cuddly Toy" (Extended Mix) - 5:50
  3. "Cuddly Toy" (The Feel For Me Mix) - 4:14
  4. "Lions Den" - 3:37
7" vinyl
  1. "Cuddly Toy" - 3:45
  2. "Lions Den" - 3:37
12" vinyl
  1. "Cuddly Toy" (Extended Mix) - 5:50
  2. "Lions Den" - 3:37
  3. "Cuddly Toy" (Live At Strathclyde University 27.2.88) - 7:06
Remix 12" vinyl
  1. "Cuddly Toy" (X-Rated Acid Toy Mix) - 7:21
  2. "Cuddly Toy" - 3:45
  3. "Lions Den" - 3:37

Re-release (CBS ROA 4)

7" vinyl
  1. "Cuddly Toy" - 3:45
  2. "Lions Den" - 3:37
12" vinyl
  1. "Cuddly Toy" - 3:45
  2. "Lions Den" - 3:37
  3. "Nobody But You (Live) - 5:12
  4. "Family Man" (Live)

Beverley Knight version

British singer Beverley Knight covered "Cuddly Toy" and released it as the second single release from her seventh studio album, Soul UK, a tribute to UK soul artists. It was released in the UK on 28 August 2011. The b-side is a radio edit of Knight's cover of "Apparently Nothin'", the original of which also appears on Soul UK.

Knight's version of "Cuddly Toy" was added to the Radio 2 Playlist, entering the B-list, one list higher than previous single "Mama Used to Say". Knight gave her first television performance of "Cuddly Toy" on The Rob Brydon Show on 29 July 2011.

Background

Knight said of "Cuddly Toy" that "Roachford showed a cynical British media that British soul could also be fused with a rockier sound and not only work, but be a global hit. This, as well as many of his songs, influenced my own writing style." She also spoke of the b-side "Apparently Nothin'" by saying "This was one of those moments when the clubs successfully educated radio on what they should be championing, and the public "got" it, and it was a smash. I was one of that buying public. Lyrically this is sheer brilliance and relevant for every generation."

Track listing

Digital download
  1. "Cuddly Toy" (Radio Version) - 2:50
  2. "Apparently Nothin'" (featuring Glen Scott) (Radio Version) - 3:13
  3. "Apparently Nothin'" (Neil Thompson's Regrooved Mix) - 7:15
  4. "Cuddly Toy" (eSquire Club Mix) - 6:09
iTunes Digital download
  1. "Cuddly Toy" (Radio Version) - 2:50
  2. "Apparently Nothin'" (featuring Glen Scott) (Radio Version) - 3:13
  3. "Cuddly Toy" (Cutmore Club Mix) - 7:16
  4. "Cuddly Toy" (Dave Doyle Club Mix) - 6:09
  5. "Cuddly Toy" (Dave Doyle Radio Edit) - 3:04

References

Cuddly Toy (song) Wikipedia
(Text) CC BY-SA