For some reason unbeknownst to me, this song has been bouncing around in my head all day! I haven’t played it in over two years, so perhaps you’ve forgotten by now, yes?
If you say, “Toto” to me, I will immediately think of the little doggie in the movie, The Wizard of Oz. If you remind me that you mean the band, Toto, only one song will come to mind … Africa. It is, to me, their signature song, the only one I can name of theirs.
‘Twasn’t always so, though, and the song almost didn’t even get recorded. In an article in Time magazine, one of the group members said they were looking for a song just to close off the album and did not think Africa would do as well as it did. They also mentioned that if you listen close enough during the lyrics “catch some waves,” some group members were singing “catch some rays.”
Toto keyboard player David Paich wrote the song …
“At the beginning of the ’80s I watched a late night documentary on TV about all the terrible death and suffering of the people in Africa. It both moved and appalled me and the pictures just wouldn’t leave my head. I tried to imagine how I’d feel about if I was there and what I’d do.
There’s a little metaphor involved here, because 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. 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.”
This is probably Toto’s most famous song, but per guitarist Steve Lukather …
“A lot of people categorize us as ‘that ‘Africa’ or ‘Rosanna’ band,’ and I hate that s–t. We have a lot more substance than that. Don’t get me wrong – those songs have been great to us, but you really don’t understand the depth of the band if that’s all you know.
According to an article in Rolling Stone in October 2018 …
“Nothing sums up 2018 like the fact that Toto’s “Africa” has become our unofficial anthem. It’s a song that’s ridiculous by definition — an Eighties ode to Africa by a bunch of L.A. rock dudes who’d never set foot in the place. But something about this song speaks to our moment. It’s the new “Don’t Stop Believin’” — a mega-cheese classic of Eighties sentiment that’s gotten bizarrely popular in recent years, beloved by hipsters and moms and tone-deaf karaoke singers screaming “I bless the rains down in Africa!” Love it or hate it, you’ve probably heard it today. You’ll hear it tomorrow. This damn song follows you everywhere, like the sound of wild dogs crying out in the night.”
Africa
Toto
I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She’s coming in, 12:30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hoping to find some long forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say, “Hurry boy, it’s waiting there for you”
It’s gonna take a lot to take me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what’s right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what’s deep inside, frightened of this thing that I’ve become
It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you
It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa
(I bless the rain)
I bless the rains down in Africa
(I bless the rain)
I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa
(Ah, gonna take the time)
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Songwriters: David Paich / Jeff Porcaro
Africa lyrics © Spirit Music Group
I don’t seem to remember this song but I like it. It’s rather enchanting and mystifying. Thanks, Jill. 🙂 — Suzanne
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There was a time that not an hour went by it wasn’t played, but I always did like it, so I didn’t mind. Glad you enjoyed it, my friend!
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I like it, though In3ver knew the words till today.
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I’m glad you like it! Been a while since I’ve played one you liked, methinks.
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Working on a parody for this one:
Trump took the train down through Africa
The shithole countries would not let him fly in
They wanted to show him that they were human,
Just not as as rich as America
Cuz they’d been exploited by their richer cousin
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Hmmmm … not bad … not bad at all for a first attempt! Keep at it!
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Nah, he’s not really worth my time. I had my fun writing those lines. If someone else wants to pick them up and run with them, they are free to do so.
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Jill, this song is excellent in my view. It stood out in the 1980s as a song with substance versus some of the Big Hair band stuff. Keith
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Oh yes, I like this much … MUCH better than the Big Hair band stuff! My friends used to say I was born old, for I never did get into that sort of music. Glad you liked this one!
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Super song, Jill. It was also covered by Weezer, and it is hard to tell one from the other. https://youtu.be/Ysh9eE1UgvQ
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I must admit to not being at all familiar with Weezer, but you are right! I could barely tell this one from Toto’s version! Loved it … thanks!
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Weezer has some terrific songs. His best in my opinion is Beverly Hills. Give a look, https://youtu.be/HL_WvOly7mY
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That is cool! Thanks, John!
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I’ve heard this one so much over the years, and it and Toto IV, the album it is on, were both big hits here. I think Rolling Stone summed it up rather well! Did you know that Jeff Porcaro, their drummer and co-writer of this, was in great demand as a session musician until his untimely death. If you look him up on Wikipedia, prepare to be impressed by the list of artists he worked with!
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No, I had no idea that Jeff Porcaro had worked with so many! I checked out the Wikipedia entry and was amazed by the artists he worked with … and also saddened by his untimely death! Thanks for that added info, Clive!
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Love this song.
What more can I say?
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That pretty much sums it up. Glad you liked it!
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And Rosanna…Ohhhh Rosanna.
Whenever it comes to;
“Not quite a year since you went away
Rosanna, yeah
Now she’s gone, and I have to say”
I break into my own finger clicking routine in time with the beat…..Durned if I know why…just seems right.🤗
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Yeah … some songs are like that!
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🤗
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For those who may be interested, a fun 10-genre version by a talented musician whose touring has been brought to a complete halt by the pandemic (full disclosure: I am related to the musician):
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Fascinating! Thank you for sharing with us! I must admit that my favourite was the ‘folk’, and when the ‘power metal’ came on, I had to jerk my headphones off, for it hurt my ears! I hope your relative can resume touring sometime this year! Thanks again!
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I have alway loved this song since it was first release. Thanks for playing it.
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My pleasure! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Another gem from the past. Thank you for sharing, Jill! Have a calmed evening! Michael
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Thanks, Michael! I’m glad you enjoyed this one! A calm evening to you, as well, though it’s already almost bedtime on your side of the pond!
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Thank you Jane! Yes, it was, but during lockdown the clock is only decorating the wall. Lol
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So true! The calendar is the same … it really doesn’t matter what day of the week it is, which is a good thing, for when I wake up I never have any idea what day it is! 😉
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I love this song, memories of misspent youth.
Hugs and Love Jill 😎💖
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I’m so glad you liked it … misspent youth, eh? How’ve you been, Jack? I haven’t seen you here in forever! Hugs ‘n love back to you! ❤
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All things considered I’m OK Jill
I won’t neglect you any more. 💖
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No worries, Jack! I just worry when I don’t hear from you for a month or two! Take care, and I do hope you’re okay. Hugs! 💖
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play it as often as you like. It’s a stunning record musically. A superb group with a great back catalogue other than
just Rosanna.
Cwtch
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I knew you would like this one! I still have it stuck in my head today. I’d forgotten about Rosanna, but I think I did play that one somewhere along the line, too. I like “Africa” better anyway.
Cwtch
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