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
Gift With a Golden Gun
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I can't answer you
It's the day I can't remember, I think it's late September
Or is it April blue
I can't find peace of mind in a world so unkind
It's just a little heart breaker, just a little heart breaker, yeah
They used to think me funny when I promised them their money
But they're not laughing now
[Chorus]
I can't find peace of mind, then she calls me just in time
She's a gift with a golden gun, and she's got them on the run
She's a gift with a golden gun, 'cause she knows what they've done
Just what they've done, done, done, done, done
What they've done, done, done, done, done
Just what they've done, done, done, done, done
In Toto's song "Gift With a Golden Gun," the lyrics depict a state of confusion, depression, anxiety, and uncertainty. The first stanza suggests that the singer is struggling with his memory as he cannot differentiate between two opposite months, September and April. The phrase "twelve o'clock depression" implies that it is noon time, but the singer is feeling low, which could indicate that he is going through a severe internal struggle. The second half of the stanza reveals the reason behind his distress; he is unable to find peace of mind in a world that is cruel and unkind. It is as if he is a little heart breaker, but it's not by choice, and the situation around him leaves him hopeless.
The second stanza portrays the singer's mistrust towards those around him. He feels he is in a "sticky situation," and his hallucinations make it worse. He refuses to bow down, no matter how troublesome the circumstance becomes. The third and fourth lines give a hint that the singer might have promised something to someone, making him lose credibility in front of them. However, he finds solace when she, probably a woman he loves, calls him. She is a "gift with a golden gun" and has got his enemies on the run. She knows what they have done, and the singer seems to be unburdened in her company.
Overall, the song seems to be about a person who is going through a tough time and is looking for someone who can provide them with some emotional support. The phrase 'Gift with a Golden Gun' symbolizes a person who may seem tough from the outside but has nothing but love to give.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a twelve o'clock depression, my mind is in recession
It's noon, but I'm feeling down and my thoughts aren't functioning properly
And I can't answer you
I'm unable to answer you, probably due to my mental state
It's the day I can't remember, I think it's late September
I can't recall what day it is, but I believe it's September
Or is it April blue
I'm unsure if it's really September or if I'm feeling blue like one would in April
I can't find peace of mind in a world so unkind
Given the cruelty of the world around me, I can't seem to find any sense of inner peace
It's just a little heart breaker, just a little heart breaker, yeah
This situation is causing minor, emotional pain
It's a sticky situation when I'm near hallucination, and I refuse to bow
Things get complicated when I'm almost hallucinating, but I won't give in
They used to think me funny when I promised them their money
People found me amusing when I pledged to pay them back
But they're not laughing now
However, now they're not amused
I can't find peace of mind, then she calls me just in time
Right when I can't calm down, she calls and rescues me
She's a gift with a golden gun, and she's got them on the run
She's a valuable ally, quickly putting whoever's bothering me on the defensive
She's a gift with a golden gun, 'cause she knows what they've done
Her ability to ruin their plans comes from knowing what they've been up to
Just what they've done, done, done, done, done
Just what they've done, and nothing more
What they've done, done, done, done, done
They're only being targeted for their wrongdoing, and nothing else
Just what they've done, done, done, done, done
Once again, specifying that they're only being punished for their misdeeds
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: B. KIMBALL, D. PAICH
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.