Toto, formed in Los Angeles in 1977, quickly established themselves as masters of melodic rock. With power chord anthems like “Hold the Line” and early ’80s pop sensations such as “Africa” and “Rosanna,” they carved a unique space in music history. This article explores ten of their most iconic songs, highlighting their journey through four decades of music.
While the majority of Toto’s impressive catalog was crafted by keyboardist David Paich and guitarist Steve Lukather, the band was a collaborative force. The late drummer Jeff Porcaro (1954-1992), bassist Mike Porcaro (1955-2015), keyboardist Steve Porcaro, original vocalist Bobby Kimball, and later frontman Joseph Williams all played crucial roles in shaping the sound of Toto from their self-titled debut in 1978 to their fourteenth album, Old Is New, in 2018.
Known for their meticulous production, Toto’s fourth album, Toto IV, earned them three Grammy Awards in 1982, including the coveted Album of the Year and Producer of the Year, Non-Classical. Celebrating 45 years since their formation, here’s a chronological exploration of 10 of Toto’s best songs, showcasing their enduring appeal.
1. “Hold The Line” (1978)
Written by David Paich
“Hold The Line,” from Toto’s debut album Toto, was the band’s explosive entry onto the music scene, reaching No. 5 on the charts. Penned by David Paich, with Bobby Kimball on lead vocals, the song’s iconic riff emerged spontaneously. Paich recounts acquiring a new Yamaha upright piano and being instantly captivated by the riff that became “Hold the Line.”
“I must have played it for three days, non-stop,” Paich revealed in a 2020 interview. “People were banging on the door at night [saying] ‘shut up,’ and I think I got an eviction notice. So I got that song and constructed a little more of it and it was one of the first songs I brought down when we were testing out singers.”
Paich also credits Sly & The Family Stone’s “Hot Fun In The Summertime” as a key inspiration for the song’s groove. “That record never would have happened if Sly Stone never did ‘Hot Fun in the Summertime,’” he stated. “It really came out of that groove.”
“Hold The Line” remains a beloved staple in Toto’s live performances, and Bobby Kimball continues to feature it in his solo shows. Steve Lukather has also performed the song during tours with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, demonstrating its lasting impact.
2. “I’ll Supply the Love” (1978)
Written by David Paich
The second single from Toto, “I’ll Supply the Love,” bursts into action with captivating opening riffs, propelled by Jeff Porcaro’s distinctive drumming and Kimball’s soaring vocals. While it didn’t achieve the same chart success as “Hold The Line,” “I’ll Supply the Love” is a quintessential example of Toto’s signature yacht rock sound, filled with infectious rhythms and melodic hooks. Its enduring appeal makes it a favorite among fans and a testament to Toto’s early musical prowess.
3. “Rosanna” (1982)
Written by David Paich
“Rosanna,” the lead single from the multi-Grammy-winning album Toto IV, became one of Toto’s most recognizable hits, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and winning the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1983. The music video for “Rosanna,” directed by Steve Barron (known for Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69”), draws inspiration from West Side Story and features a young, uncredited Patrick Swayze as one of the dancers alongside Cynthia Rhodes, who plays Rosanna and later co-starred with Swayze in Dirty Dancing.
In a playful turn of events in 2018, Weezer covered “Rosanna” after persistent fan requests for them to cover “Africa,” which they also released shortly after. This highlights the enduring popularity and cultural impact of “Rosanna” and its place in Toto’s celebrated discography.
4. “Africa” (1982)
Written by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro
“Africa,” the third single from Toto IV, stands as Toto’s biggest hit, reaching No. 1 on the charts and becoming their only chart-topping single. Driven by Jeff Porcaro’s distinctive and evocative drum rhythm, the song originated from David Paich’s fascination with Africa, a continent he had only experienced through media.
“I romanticized this story about a social worker that goes over there and falls in love with working with the country and doing good,” Paich explained. “But he also falls in love and has to make a choice between helping people for the rest of his life or having a family and doing that kind of thing.”
Jeff Porcaro described the song as “a white boy is trying to write a song on Africa, but since he’s never been there, he can only tell what he’s seen on TV or remembers in the past.” “Africa” also reflected Paich’s personal life at the time.
“I was at the age where I was so immersed in my work 24-7, that at times I felt like I was becoming just a victim of my work,” Paich admitted. “There was a little bit of autobiographical information in there: being consumed by my work, not having time to go out and pursue getting married and raising a family and doing all the things that other people do that were my age at the time. So, it could be semi-autobiographical at that point.”
“Africa” remains one of Toto’s most beloved and iconic songs, captivating listeners worldwide with its unique sound and evocative lyrics.
5. “I’ll Be Over You” (1986)
Written by Steve Lukather and Randy Goodrum
Featured on Toto’s sixth album, Fahrenheit, “I’ll Be Over You” marked Joseph Williams’ debut as the band’s new singer, although Steve Lukather took the vocal lead on this soft rock ballad. The music video, showcasing the band performing on a rooftop, includes a cameo by Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers, who also contributed backing vocals to the track. “I’ll Be Over You” reached No. 11 on the Hot 100, solidifying its place as a popular power ballad in Toto’s repertoire and a testament to Lukather’s vocal abilities.
6. “Pamela” (1988)
Written by David Paich and Joseph Williams
Six years after “Rosanna,” Toto introduced another memorable female name into their songbook with “Pamela.” From their seventh album, The Seventh One, “Pamela” is one of two songs on the album named after women, the other being “Anna.” Co-written by David Paich and Joseph Williams, “Pamela” was partly inspired by a friend of Williams with the same name and reached No. 9 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, showcasing Toto’s ability to craft catchy and relatable songs about personal connections.
7. “I Will Remember” (1995)
Written by Steve Lukather and Stan Lynch
“I Will Remember,” a poignant ballad from Toto’s ninth album, Tambu, serves as a heartfelt tribute to their late drummer Jeff Porcaro, who tragically passed away in 1992. Co-written by Steve Lukather and Stan Lynch, former drummer of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, and sung by Lukather, the song builds into a deeply moving expression of grief and remembrance. “I Will Remember” stands out as one of Toto’s most emotionally resonant ballads, showcasing their versatility and depth as songwriters and performers.
8. “Bottom of Your Soul” (2006)
Written by David Paich, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Bobby Kimball, Mike Porcaro
“Bottom of Your Soul,” from Toto’s twelfth album, Falling in Between, although not a chart hit, is a powerful and sweeping pop ballad with a socially conscious message. David Paich described it as Toto’s “prayer for peace.” Sung as a duet by Lukather and Williams, and co-written with original singer Bobby Kimball, who also contributed backing vocals, “Bottom of Your Soul” demonstrates Toto’s willingness to explore deeper lyrical themes while maintaining their signature musicality. Falling in Between also marks the last Toto album to feature Bobby Kimball.
9. “Orphan” (2015)
Written by David Paich, Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams
Nearly four decades into their career, Toto’s fourteenth album, Toto XIV, released in 2015, featured a collection of compelling tracks, including “Orphan.” Toto XIV marked the return of Joseph Williams after a period away from the band and was the first album since Toto IV without bassist Mike Porcaro, who passed away in 2015. “Orphan” exemplifies Toto’s continued creative energy and their ability to produce high-quality music even after decades in the industry.
10. “We’ll Keep on Running,” featuring Skrillex and What So Not (2018)
Written by David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Joseph Williams, Chris Emerson (What So Not), George Maple, James Rushent, and Surahn Sidhu.
“We’ll Keep on Running,” the final track on Toto’s fifteenth and, to date, last studio album, Old Is New, represents a surprising and innovative collaboration with DJ and producer Skrillex and Australian electronic artist What So Not. This song fuses Toto’s classic musicianship with modern electronic elements, showcasing their willingness to experiment and push musical boundaries. “We’ll Keep on Running” is a testament to Toto’s enduring relevance and their ability to stay musically adventurous even late in their career. Old Is New also includes older, previously unreleased tracks featuring Jeff and Mike Porcaro, bridging Toto’s past and present.
