Great Moments In Pop – The 80s Part 76.

This is yet another singer who came on to the pop music scene in the late-80s (there aren’t too many left to feature now, honest). Martika is an American singer (whose first name is actually Marta). When she was a teenager she was an actress, appearing in a few films and TV shows in the mid-80s. In March 1989 her debut “More Than You Know” was released, but didn’t make the Top 100.

She really hit the big time in July 1989 when “Toy Soldiers” was released, which reached no. 5 for three consecutive weeks. This also did well around the world, being a chart-topper in America for two weeks, and also making the Top Ten in various other countries. Also around this time, her first album was released, and she also made it on to the cover of Smash Hits. Does it get any better?

Next in October 1989 was a cover of “I Feel The Earth Move”, which reached no. 7. In January 1990 it was decided to give “More Than You Know” another go, and this time this reached no. 15, which was a big improvement. But in March 1990 “Water” faltered at no. 59, and around this time she appeared on BBC1’s Little And Large, how great.

In August 1991 “Love… Thy Will Be Done” reached no. 9, to become her third and final Top Ten hit in the UK. This also made the Top Ten in America, and was a chart-topper in Australia for one week. In November 1991 “Martika’s Kitchen” reached no. 17. It was probably no surprise that Prince was said to be a fan of this one, this was funky, and the lyrics could be seen as being rather naughty.

In February 1992 she had her seventh and final UK hit when “Coloured Kisses” reached no. 41. And after her second album was released, she just about fell off the scene. In 2005 she surprisingly reappeared when “Toy Soldiers” was sampled on Eminem’s chart-topping “Like Toy Soldiers”. This led to lots of articles saying “who is Martika?”. Honestly, don’t these people know anything.