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
Drag Him To The Roof
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A cathode glaze across their eyes
Now that I've been betrayed
I must be well behaved...
I'll drink corruption with their lies.
Why was I hiding out?
What am I running from?
Have I always been the chosen one?
Drag him to the roof
Just push me over
I've got no better place to be
Drag him to the roof
Let's get it over
It's a perfect day to punish me.
I wish that lady would defend me
I can't abide by all the laws
I'll buy the magistrate, can't be a second late
I anxiously await his call.
Who made this jigsaw puzzle?
Who'll put the pieces back?
Who'll come and get me when I have fallen through the cracks?
Drag him to the roof
Just push me over
I've got no better place to be
Drag hime to the roof
Let's get it over...
It's a perfect day to punish me.
The song "Drag Him to the Roof" by Toto is a haunting and introspective tune that has a bit of a mysterious quality to it. The lyrics suggest that the singer may be a victim of betrayal or some other wrongdoing, and they are struggling to come to terms with it. They describe looking out of a window with a "cathode glaze across their eyes," suggesting perhaps that they feel disconnected from reality or are struggling to see things clearly. They reflect on their situation, questioning why they are hiding and wondering if they have always been "the chosen one."
The singer seems resigned to their fate, saying that they will "drink corruption with their lies" and that they must be "well-behaved." They suggest that they are willing to pay whatever price is necessary to avoid punishment, saying that they will buy off the magistrate and anxiously await his call. The chorus repeats the phrase "drag him to the roof," suggesting that the singer is ready to face their punishment, even if it means being pushed over the edge.
Overall, the song suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance, even in the face of betrayal and punishment. The singer is grappling with their own sense of guilt and questioning their place in the world, but they are ultimately ready to face their fate whatever it may be.
Line by Line Meaning
They keep looking through the window
People are watching me with a blank and lifeless stare, no emotional response or reaction.
A cathode glaze across their eyes
The people looking out through the window are possessed and under the control of manipulation or external influence.
Now that I've been betrayed
Someone has let me down, talso said nby the singer, and that causes the singer to feel bitter or angry and take revenge in any way possible.
I must be well behaved...
The artist needs to keep their composure, abide by the rules and adhere to societal expectations, even in the face of betrayal or disappointment.
I'll drink corruption with their lies.
The artist will go along with the lies and deceit, even if it means becoming morally corrupt in the process.
Why was I hiding out?
The singer questions their own motives for avoiding a situation or running away from something.
What am I running from?
The singer questions what they are trying to avoid or escape from in their current situation.
Why are they waiting?
The artist is confused as to why other people are standing by and not taking action to help or intervene.
Have I always been the chosen one?
The artist ponders whether their fate was predetermined or if they have been singled out for a particular reason or purpose.
Drag him to the roof
The artist is asking to be taken to a high place or higher level of awareness or understanding.
Just push me over
The singer is willing to take a risk or a leap of faith, even if there are negative consequences.
I've got no better place to be
The artist feels trapped or limited in their current situation, and wants to escape or break free from it.
Let's get it over
The singer wants to end things or bring about closure, even if it means dealing with the consequences.
It's a perfect day to punish me.
The singer feels guilty or deserving of punishment, and is willing to accept the consequences of their actions.
I wish that lady would defend me
The singer desires protection, support, or an advocate in their predicament.
I can't abide by all the laws
The artist is resisting the societal norms and customs, and does not want to submit to external authority.
I'll buy the magistrate, can't be a second late
The artist will use their resources or connections to bribe or manipulate the judge, and is determined to be punctual and timely in their affairs.
I anxiously await his call.
The singer is nervous and apprehensive about the outcome of the situation, and is eagerly anticipating the judge's decision.
Who made this jigsaw puzzle?
The singer is wondering who or what is responsible for creating and facilitating the current situation or dilemma.
Who'll put the pieces back?
The artist is unsure who will be able to restore order or make amends after the situation has been resolved.
Who'll come and get me when I have fallen through the cracks?
The artist is fearful of being forgotten or neglected once they become vulnerable or helpless.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, O/B/O CAPASSO, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Paich, Stan Lynch, Steve Lukather
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Denis S. Pratt
on Take My Hand
Beautiful rendition of a reconciling moment that my mother and I will lay to rest.