Toto's greatest hits: "Africa", "Rosanna", "Hold The Line"

In the late 1970s. The "New Wave" genre, previously unknown to anyone, emerges on the musical scene. But the rock that dominated the late '60s and early '70s does not disappear. It is only modified in order to meet the new era, so new directions appear in rock music, mixing various styles.

One such band that stood out perfectly against the backdrop of everyone's love of new wave was the band totoformed in 1977 in Los Angeles. Their progressive nature combined with rhythm and blues and even elements of heavy music helped the Americans win the hearts of many millions of people and become a crowd favorite in the 1980s.

Toto started out as prog rockersBut in the 1980s, against the background of the simplification of popular music, they decided to add more pop elements to their style, so their music became in some ways more "light" and similar to soft rock with the addition of funk and soul parts.

Grammy awards, participation in the recording of soundtracks for iconic films, inclusion in the Musicians Hall of Fame - all about toto. They significantly influenced the music of the 70's and early 80's. When the band was in its creative heyday and rise, Toto showed their talent and deservedly got a big portion of popularity, the echoes of which are still visible today. Some of the band's compositions are used by modern musicians as samples to give recognition to their tracks, and covers of the song "Africa." impossible to count. The article is about the main hits American rock band.

"Africa" (1982).

Despite the popular opinion that the Toto group is a one-hit band, this is not actually true. Indeed, the song "Africa." is more commercially successful than the band's other compositions, but that does not diminish their importance in rock history. Nevertheless, the album "Toto IV."The band's main hit, on which it appeared, deserves a separate talk.

The song "Africa" is the third single on the band's fourth studio album and managed to reach the first position in the main American Billboard Hot 100, and also was in the top 3 singles in the British chart. The author of the composition is the keyboardist Toto David Pachwho was inspired by a documentary about the African continent and decided to write a song about it. "Africa." It is also fascinating in its conceptuality, especially the rhythm section and the keyboard part.

"I saw with my own eyes all the horrors that happen in Africa. It moved me a lot, and then I tried to imagine how I would feel if I were in the place of the inhabitants," Pach said.

Toto's biggest hit may never have been on the album "Toto IV" because the guitarist Steve Lucater didn't even consider it as a single and thought it was worst song on the record. However, the composition really shot and was liked by the whole world, but at the time of its writing, Luchater and bassist David Hangate thought it was quite strange.

"It's going to be very hard for me to break up with you,

And there was nothing a hundred people could do about it.

I bless the rains in Africa," the song sings.

"Rosanna" (1982)

Other significant song In the discography of Toto is the song "Rosanna", which was released as the first single of the cult album "Toto IV". The song received a lot of positive feedback from the critics and the fans of the band. It was "Rosanna." won the nomination "Record of the Year." at the Grammys, thanks in large part to Steve Lukather's gorgeous guitar solo at the end of the song and the special parts of the rhythm section.

"I didn't think someone like you would like me, Roseanne.

Tonight I want to hold you so tight, Roseanne, Roseanne.

 

I didn't know you were looking for someone I can't be,

And it's not even a year since she left, Roseanne.

She's gone, and I confess:

 

I will always meet you halfway, Rosanna,

And I'll give in, and I'm ready for anything, Roseanne," the song sings.

The song about Roseanne is a tribute first loves by keyboardist David Peitsch from high school. However, the title title for the composition refers to another woman, namely the actress Roseanne ArquetteOne of Toto's members, Steve Porcaro, was dating at the time.

"Hold The Line" (1978)

There is no doubt that the main popularity of the band Toto came on their fourth studio album, but also on debut full-length record, there is a track that deserves attention. We're talking about the track "Hold The Line."which is somewhat different from other Toto songs. The song is also written by David Pach, who talks in the composition about the mysteries of love. In the U.S., the track hit the top 5 Billboard Hot 100 chart, which also proves its commercial success.

"It's not about the way you hold me,
It's not, as you say, you care,
It's not about how you treat my friends,
It's not that you stayed around until the end,
It's not about how you look or what you promise to do.

Hold on!" the song sings.

Toto's influence and legacy

That toto - The fact that they are masters of their craft is evidenced by several factors at once. They have been around for more than 40 years and continue to produce music that is organically nostalgic for the 80's. Many modern bands admit that Toto influenced the formation of their style. Good team - that's how you can describe the work of these American rockers.