Àfrica
-toto Lyrics


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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 old 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 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 (ooh, ooh)

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 (ooh, ooh)

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 rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa




(Gonna take the time)
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had (ooh, ooh)

Overall Meaning

The opening verse of Toto's "Africa" sets a scene that is both familiar and foreign. The singer hears the drums echoing in the night, a sound that evokes both the tribal rhythms of Africa and the modern rhythms of pop music. But his companion, a woman, hears only whispers of a quiet conversation, a detail that suggests she is not as attuned to the sounds and sensations of this unfamiliar place.


The second verse introduces a sense of urgency and adventure, as the singer describes his journey to Africa. He has stopped an old man along the way, hoping to find some forgotten wisdom or inspiration. The old man urges him to hurry, to reach his destination before it's too late. The chorus emphasizes the singer's determination and dedication to his mission, declaring that nothing can keep him from the one he loves and the goal he has set for himself.


Line by Line Meaning

I hear the drums echoing tonight
The singer hears the sound of African drums, symbolizing the pull of the continent's culture and history that he feels.


But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
Despite also being in Africa, the singer's companion is preoccupied with other thoughts or conversations and is not as attuned to the environment as he is.


She's coming in, 12:30 flight
The singer is eagerly awaiting the arrival of his companion, whose flight is set to land soon.


The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
The artist is using the stars and the moon to navigate towards a sense of purpose and meaning in life, which he associates with Africa.


I stopped an old man along the way
The artist encounters an older, wiser person by chance, hoping to learn something from them that he can apply to his own life.


Hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies
The singer is seeking wisdom or knowledge that has been lost to time, and that may be found in the cultural treasures of Africa.


He turned to me as if to say / 'Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you'
The older man imparts a sense of urgency, urging the singer to take advantage of the opportunity to find what he is looking for in Africa.


It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
The artist is devoted to Africa and all that it represents, and it would take a great effort to separate him from that connection.


There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
The artist is emphasizing that his ties to Africa are unbreakable, and that no external force could ever diminish his attachment.


I bless the rains down in Africa
The artist perceives even the unpredictable and potentially destructive force of nature, in the form of rainfall, as a blessing that contributes to the richness of life in Africa.


Gonna take some time to do the things we never had (ooh, ooh)
The singer acknowledges the need to slow down and savor the unique experiences that Africa has to offer, rather than rushing through them or taking them for granted.


The wild dogs cry out in the night / As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company
The artist observes the natural world around him, noticing the sounds of the wild dogs that signify a restlessness and loneliness similar to his own.


I know that I must do what's right / As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
The singer feels compelled to take action and do the right thing, citing the awe-inspiring natural wonder of Kilimanjaro as a symbol of his own strength and determination.


I seek to cure what's deep inside, frightened of this thing that I've become
The singer is open about his vulnerability and his desire to heal or fix something within himself that he perceives as negative or damaging.


Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you
The singer once again emphasizes the urgency of taking advantage of the opportunities presented in Africa, this time on behalf of his female companion who is also eager to explore the continent.


I bless the rains down in Africa
Repeating this line once more, the artist reinforces his gratitude and admiration for the unpredictable yet nourishing natural forces that make Africa unique.


(I bless the rain)
This line is a repetition of the earlier line, serving to reinforce the artist's connection to Africa and his appreciation for its natural elements.


(Gonna take the time)
Reiterating the importance of slowing down and savoring the unique experiences that Africa offers, this line emphasizes the personal growth and enrichment that can come from taking things at a deliberate pace.


Gonna take some time to do the things we never had (ooh, ooh)
Like earlier in the song, this line highlights the need to take a step back from the fast pace of modern life, and really appreciate and explore what Africa has to offer for both companions.




Lyrics © Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David F Paich, Jeffrey T Porcaro

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@mushmush4980

Nothing beats the genre of suspiciously well dressed African men in confusing backdrops

@MainInternetUser

That's Congolese

@encelade.

@@MainInternetUserevery single time

@z_monty

why is it suspicious 😧

@quoccuongtran724

@@z_monty the money he spent on his drip must have come from somewhere suspicious

@mikeoxmall69420

I got the new forgis on the jeep

6 More Replies...

@1heKing

its not gay if its in Zimbabwe

@Atari_The_Mii

“Zimbabwe is the only way ” -Uncle Terry

@zimboy9921

I approve this As the official Zimbo spokesman on YouTube

@gusfring6887

​@@Atari_The_Mii it's the only weh

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