Composed entirely of seasoned studio musicians, Toto seemed to come out of nowhere. They did not get known first on the club circuit as nearly all bands do prior to being signed by a label. Their reputations in the studio were enough. For example, Paich, Hungate and Jeff Porcaro wrote songs for and performed on Boz Scaggs' album Silk Degrees.
Toto released their debut album Toto in October 1978, selling two million copies based on their top ten hit Hold the Line. The next two albums Hydra and Turn Back had little success, but Toto IV (released in 1982) featured the number one hit Africa as well as the top ten single Rosanna. Toto IV went multi-platinum and earned several Grammy Awards including 1983 Album of the Year and Record of the Year (for "Rosanna").
Their only film work to date was for the 1984 David Lynch science fiction film Dune. In addition to their own score, they also recorded the Prophecy Theme, composed by Brian Eno.
After the release of Toto IV, Mike Porcaro (brother to Jeff and Steve), joined the group on bass, replacing Hungate. In 1984, Bobby Kimball left the group after being arrested for selling cocaine and was replaced by Dennis Frederiksen aka Fergie Frederiksen, who was replaced not long after by Joseph Williams.
Steve Porcaro left the band in 1988, however, he still contributes as a sideman.
In 1990, Jean-Michel Byron replaced Williams for the new recordings on Past to Present 1977-1990, then left with Lukather becoming the group's lead singer.
On August 5, 1992, Jeff Porcaro died of a heart attack, days after completing work on Kingdom of Desire. The group considered disbanding, before adding British drummer Simon Phillips for the subsequent tour. In the years since Porcaro's death, Lukather has seemingly succeeded Paich as the band's de facto leader.
In 1999, Bobby Kimball returned to the lineup after a 15-year absence.
Greg Phillinganes joined the lineup in 2004 to fill in for David Paich during a tour, then officially joined Toto in 2005.
After a period of rumours and some allusions, on June 5th, 2008 Steve Lukather made an official announcement on his website stevelukather.net, stating: "The fact is yes I have left Toto. There is no more Toto." Lukather further stated that after 31 years of recording, producing and playing with Toto without even missing one single gig, he couldn't do it anymore: "I just can't do it anymore and at 50 years old I wanted to start over and give it one last try on my own." With Lukather being the only original member left in the band (Bobby Kimball was also an original member, but was out of the band from 1984-1998) there was no other option than to call it quits. As the main motivation for his decision, Lukather said: "When Dave retired that was REAL hard for me 'cause we started the band together. Hell, it's 35 years if you count High School where the core all met. When Mike fell ill and had to leave that was it for me. If there isn't Paich or at least one Porcaro how can we even call it Toto?" Luke also stated: "Honestly, I have just had enough. This is NOT a break. It is over. I really can't go out and play Hold The Line with a straight face anymore." The break-up of Toto after 31 years received mixed reactions from the fans, but in general the decision was understood and many agreed with Lukather's reasons to quit the band.
On April 5th, 2008, Toto played what would be their last show ever, in Seoul, Korea, as a part of their Falling In Between Live tour. This left lots of fans without a real farewell tour.
On February 26th, 2010, Steve Lukather announced on his Twitter-account that Toto are reforming for a brief tour in Europe in the summer of 2010 to honor bass player Mike Porcaro, who's suffering from ALS syndrome. Line-up will include David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams and Nathan East.
Toto released their fourteenth studio album and their first in nine years titled Toto XIV on March 20 (Europe), March 23 (UK and Oceania), and March 24, 2015 (North America). To promote the newly finished project, the band started a world tour running with an extensive European headline arena tour including appearances at key festivals, along with a North American tour to follow in the summer of 2015 and Asia later that year.[43][44]
On March 15, 2015, former bassist Mike Porcaro died, due to complications from his battle with ALS, in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles.[45]
On 6 April 2015, Toto announced that they would embark on 7 August 2015 in Mashantucket, Connecticut with veteran progressive band Yes on a joint summer tour of North America due to end on 12 September 2015 in Coquitlam, British Columbia.[46][47][48] Shannon Forrest has continued to perform as the band's drummer.
On 29 September 2015, Toto announced the first leg of their 2016 Tour in support of Toto XIV consisting of European and Japanese dates. Leland Sklar, who joined them on their 2007 and 2008 tours, replaced founding member Hungate.[49] Sklar left Toto in early 2017 and was replaced by Shem von Schroeck.
Toto will release their anniversary album "40 Trips Around The Sun" on February 9, 2018. Then, they'll embark on their world tour promoting their album and celebrating 40 years of music.
The original lineup (1978)
* David Paich - vocals and keyboards
* Steve Lukather - guitar and vocals
* Bobby Kimball - vocals
* Steve Porcaro - keyboards
* David Hungate - bass
* Jeff Porcaro - drums
The last lineup (2017)
* David Paich - vocals and keyboards
* Steve Lukather - guitar and vocals
* Joseph Williams - vocals
* Steve Porcaro - vocals and keyboards
Don't Chain My Heart
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I knew you, but now I know you well
I wake up beside you, move across your killing floor
I need my freedom and I see an open door
The room is getting smaller and the walls are closin' in
No one's leavin' and nobody's gettin' in
I try to run, I try to hide, I try to tell you what I'm feelin' inside
You know I want to touch you, but there's nothing left to hold
[Chorus]
Don't chain my heart (don't chain my heart)
Don't chain my soul (don't chain my soul)
Don't chain my heart (don't chain my heart), 'cause you got to let it go
Looks like trouble, the signs are everywhere
I bend a little but you take more than your share
Crimes of passion, crimes of mortal men
It's a deadly attraction and I won't be fooled again, baby
The storm is coming, the winds begin to rise
Please release me from this house of compromise
All day, all night, your love is like an outlaw waiting till the time is right
Nobody's wrong, no one's to blame
Maybe it's just too hot because we're standin' in the flame
[Chorus]
I'm a victim of your pain and jealousy
I feel like a prisoner and you hold the lock and key
We lost our vision, we lost our paradise
But there's still a part of me I refuse to sacrifice
I try to run, I try to hide, I need to tell you what I'm feelin' inside, baby
Should I stay, should I go
You know I want to touch you, but there's nothing left to hold
[Chorus x2]
In Toto's song "Don't Chain My Heart," the singer is expressing their desire to break free from a toxic relationship. With lines like "I wake up beside you, move across your killing floor, I need my freedom and I see an open door," the singer reveals their feeling of being trapped in a space that is no longer safe for them. The urgency of the situation is heightened with each verse, as the room gets smaller and the winds begin to rise, indicating the brewing of a storm.
The chorus of the song is a plea for their partner not to chain their heart and soul, urging them to let go. Despite the passion and attraction that may have once fueled this relationship, the singer has come to realize that it is no longer worth the cost.
The bridge of the song deepens the story further, as the singer acknowledges that they feel like a "victim of your pain and jealousy" and that their relationship has lost its vision and paradise. However, they refuse to sacrifice a part of themselves to stay in a dangerous situation.
Overall, "Don't Chain My Heart" is a powerful ballad about the struggle to break free from a relationship that has turned sour. It highlights the pain and fear of being trapped in a space that is failing to nurture growth and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Tired and frozen, I'm under your spell
I am exhausted and numb due to the power you hold over me.
I thought I knew you, but now I know you well
I believed I understood you, but now I see your true nature clearly.
I wake up beside you, move across your killing floor
I am with you and must navigate your dangerous environment.
I need my freedom and I see an open door
I desire independence and notice an opportunity to break free.
The room is getting smaller and the walls are closin' in
I feel trapped and confined in this space with you.
No one's leavin' and nobody's gettin' in
Neither of us can escape this relationship.
I try to run, I try to hide, I try to tell you what I'm feelin' inside
I attempt to escape or express my emotions, but struggle to do so.
Should I stay, should I go
I am uncertain whether I should continue this relationship or leave.
You know I want to touch you, but there's nothing left to hold
I desire intimacy, but our connection has deteriorated.
Don't chain my heart (don't chain my heart)
Do not restrict my emotions or love for others.
Don't chain my soul (don't chain my soul)
Do not limit or control my spiritual essence.
Don't chain my heart (don't chain my heart), 'cause you got to let it go
Release me from this relationship, as you cannot hold me indefinitely.
Looks like trouble, the signs are everywhere
I sense danger and warning signs all around me.
I bend a little but you take more than your share
I compromise, but you take advantage of my willingness to give.
Crimes of passion, crimes of mortal men
Our actions in this relationship are driven by intense emotions and human fallibility.
It's a deadly attraction and I won't be fooled again, baby
Our connection is destructive and I will not be deceived by it a second time.
The storm is coming, the winds begin to rise
A difficult situation or conflict is imminent.
Please release me from this house of compromise
Allow me to leave this relationship without further contention.
All day, all night, your love is like an outlaw waiting till the time is right
Your love is unpredictable and erratic, and waits for the moment to strike.
Nobody's wrong, no one's to blame
Neither of us is at fault for the issues in our relationship.
Maybe it's just too hot because we're standin' in the flame
Our relationship is too intense and passionate, and may be too difficult to sustain.
I'm a victim of your pain and jealousy
Your pain and jealousy affect me negatively and make me suffer.
I feel like a prisoner and you hold the lock and key
I feel trapped and you have the power to keep me confined in this relationship.
We lost our vision, we lost our paradise
We have lost sight of our shared goals and our relationship is no longer a paradise.
But there's still a part of me I refuse to sacrifice
Despite the difficulties, I will not give up or abandon an essential part of myself.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID PAICH, JEFF PORCARO, MIKE PORCARO, STEVE LUKATHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
xelex uy
Don't chain My heart
Tired and frozen
I'm under your spell
I thought I knew you
But now I know you well
I wake up beside you
Move across your killing floor
I need my freedom and I see an open door
The room is getting smaller and the walls are closin' in
No one's leavin' and nobody's gettin' in
I try to run
I try to hide
I try to tell you what I'm feelin' inside
Should I stay
Should I go
You know I wanna touch you
But there's nothing left to hold
Don't chain my heart (Don't chain my heart)
Don't chain my soul (Don't chain my soul)
Don't chain my heart (Don't chain my heart)
'Cause you got to let it go
Looks like trouble
The signs are everywhere
I bend a little but you take more than your share
Crimes of passion
Crimes of mortal men
It's a deadly attraction and I won't be fooled again, baby
The storm is coming
The winds begin to rise
Please release me from this house of compromise
All day
All night
Your love is like an outlaw waiting till the time is right
Nobody's wrong
No one's to blame
Maybe it's just too hot because we're standin' in the flame
Don't chain my heart (Don't chain my heart)
Don't chain my soul (Don't chain my soul)
Don't chain my heart (Don't chain my heart)
'Cause you got to let it go
I'm a victim of your pain and jealousy
I feel like a prisoner and you hold the lock and key
We lost our vision
We lost our paradise
But there's still a part of me I refuse to sacrifice
I try to run
I try to hide
I need to tell you what I'm feelin' inside, baby
Should I stay
Should I go
You know I wanna touch you
But there's nothing left to hold
Don't chain my heart (Don't chain my heart)
Don't chain my soul (Don't chain my soul)
Don't chain my heart (Don't chain my heart)
'Cause you got to let it go
Don't chain my heart
Don't chain my soul
Don't chain my heart
'Cause you got to let it go
Sholeh Mahfudin
"Don't Chain My Heart"
Tired and frozen
I'm under your spell
I thought I knew you
But now I know you well
I wake up beside you
Move across your killing floor
I need my freedom and I see an open door
The room is getting smaller and the walls are closin' in
No one's leavin' and nobody's gettin' in
I try to run
I try to hide
I try to tell you what I'm feelin' inside
Should I stay
Should I go
You know I wanna touch you
But there's nothing left to hold
Don't chain my heart
Don't chain my soul
Don't chain my heart
'Cause you got to let it go
Looks like trouble
The signs are everywhere
I bend a little but you take more than your share
Crimes of passion
Crimes of mortal men
It's a deadly attraction and I won't be fooled again, baby
The storm is coming
The winds begin to rise
Please release me from this house of compromise
All day
All night
Your love is like an outlaw waiting till the time is right
Nobody's wrong
No one's to blame
Maybe it's just too hot because we're standin' in the flame
Don't chain my heart
Don't chain my soul
Don't chain my heart
'Cause you got to let it go
I'm a victim of your pain and jealousy
I feel like a prisoner and you hold the lock and key
We lost our vision
We lost our paradise
But there's still a part of me I refuse to sacrifice
I try to run
I try to hide
I need to tell you what I'm feelin' inside, baby
Should I stay
Should I go
You know I wanna touch you
But there's nothing left to hold
Don't chain my heart
Don't chain my soul
Don't chain my heart
'Cause you got to let it go
rebelracing88
One of the most underrated rock bands of all time.
M_Dutch97
The most imo along with Survivor.
Arvaladze 🇬🇪
do you noticed so far ,more underated band - more quailty, more views-more bad sounds…
Alex perez
And rush
villebooks
I can't stand this "underrated" sh*te in comments anymore.
Sam Bell
@villebooks You and me both
Marcela Garcia
Temazoooo..👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎸💜
Excelencia y Arte Puro sólo TOTO. Los amo❤
Esperándolos por Argentina 🙏🏼🇦🇷
mr 2010
I bought this amazing album way back in the 90s, just loved it. I think Totos biggest downfall was, that they were just too good for the generic pop lovers to get their heads around. The musicianship is the tops..
Tom Coe
Agreed!
sabvilla09
Temazo. Toto una de las grandes bandas de todos los tiempos. No entiendo como hay personas que le ponen no me gusta a este temazo!!