He was released from the band in 1984 during sessions for Isolation, their follow-up studio album to 1982's Grammy Award-winning Toto IV. A revolving door of lead singers followed during a somewhat tumultuous time in the band's career, while Kimball relocated to Germany for a solo career under Producer Frank Farian of the Far Corporation (infamously noted as the creator behind ill-fated lip-sync act Milli Vanilli).
Kimball briefly returned to Toto during 1989-1990 to record songs for the band's greatest hits album, Past to Present 1977-1990, only to be replaced by South African singer Jean Michel-Byron (a decision said to have derived from Sony, the band's record company at the time, and the label's desire to go in a new direction). Byron was let go shortly thereafter, and guitarist/vocalist Steve Lukather took over Toto's primary lead vocal duties from 1991 to 1999, as the band began utilizing an interchange of session vocalists on the road and in the recording studio.
Returning to the band in 1999, Kimball's voice marked the return of the band's signature sound, and old wounds were healed as the band returned to the studio to record Mindfields.
Kimball is hosting his own website where he offers vocal advice to aspiring singers.
Anna
Bobby Kimball Lyrics
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Eyes
Rosanna, rosanna
I never thought that a girl like you could ever care
For me, rosanna
All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you
Tight
Rosanna, rosanna
Ever be
Not quite a year since she went away, rosanna yeah
Now she's gone and I have to say
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
I can see your face still shining through the window on
The other side
Rosanna, rosanna
I didn't know that a girl like you could make me feel so
All I wanna tell you is now you'll never ever have to
Compromise
Rosanna, rosanna
I never thought that losing you could ever hurt so bad
Not quite a year since she went away, rosanna yeah
Now she's gone and I have to say
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
Not quite a year since she went away, rosanna yeah
Now she's gone and I have to say
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
The lyrics of Bobby Kimball's hit song "Rosanna" express the strong feelings of love and desire that the singer has for Rosanna. He starts by saying that all he wants to do when he wakes up in the morning is to see her beautiful eyes. He never thought that a girl like Rosanna would ever care for him, but now that she is with him, he wants to hold her tight in the middle of the evening. He didn't know that she was looking for more than what he could ever be, but he is willing to meet her all the way.
The song also talks about how hard it is to lose someone you love. The lyrics mention that it has not been a year since Rosanna went away, but the singer still feels her presence through the window on the other side. He never thought that losing her would ever hurt so bad, but he has come to realize that she means everything to him. The singer wants to tell Rosanna that she will never have to compromise in their relationship because he loves her just the way she is.
Overall, the song is a beautiful expression of love and desire. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has experienced the joy of being in love and the pain of losing someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see you
The singer desires to have a view of the person he loves every morning after waking up.
Rosanna, rosanna
This line serves as a repeating chorus, emphasizing the significance of the person being addressed.
I never thought that a girl like you could ever care
For me, rosanna
The singer is surprised that the person he loves reciprocates his feelings, given his low self-esteem and perceived inadequacies.
All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you
Tight
The singer desires physical intimacy with the person he loves.
I didn't know you were looking for more than I could
Ever be
The singer realizes that the expectations of the person he loves exceed what he is capable of fulfilling.
Not quite a year since she went away, rosanna yeah
Now she's gone and I have to say
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
The singer expresses his longing for the person he loves, even though she is gone. He promises to go the extra mile to be with her again.
I can see your face still shining through the window on
The other side
Rosanna, rosanna
The singer still reminisces on the image of the person he loves, despite the physical distance between them.
I never thought that a girl like you could make me feel so
The singer expresses his surprise that the person he loves has such a significant emotional impact on him.
All I wanna tell you is now you'll never ever have to
Compromise
Rosanna, rosanna
The singer wants to reassure the person he loves that she does not have to settle for less or compromise her desires.
I never thought that losing you could ever hurt so bad
The singer realizes the depth of his pain after losing the person he loves.
Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, rosanna
Yeah
Reiterating his commitment, the singer asserts his willingness to do whatever it takes to be with the person he loves.
Writer(s): Robert Bradley, Randy Goodrum, Steven Lee Lukather Copyright: California Phase Music, Universal Music - Mgb Songs, Yak Yak Music O/B/o Songs Of Welk
Contributed by Eva C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.