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
Goin
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know if I'm going the right way
I haven't seen a single sign for miles
All this stormy weather
Keeping us from being together
How long has it been since I've seen your smile
In this tunnel called the night
I can finally see a light
I thought you might understand
I'm drivin' as fast as I can
And you said you'd wait for me
[Chorus]
Goin' home
'Cause I've been away much too long
Goin' home
Going back to the place where my heart belongs
Goin' home
Going back where I left my family
Goin' home
And I hope that they're still waitin' there for me
In the eyes of the legal tender
You're the one who must surrender
I think they call it responsibility
I'm a man in emotion
With only one compulsion
I've got to follow these dreams inside my heart
I'm not looking for a fight
No one's wrong and no one's right
Maybe we all need time apart
So please understand
I'm doin' the best that I can
And you said you'd wait for me
[Chorus]
I thought you'd might understand
I'm drivin' as fast as I can
And you said you'd wait for me
[Chorus]
Going home
Going home
Yeah, baby
The lyrics of Toto’s song “Goin” depicts a man’s struggle to find his way back home after being away for too long. He is driving on a southern highway, unsure if he is going the right way, and hasn’t seen signs for miles. Stormy weather is keeping him from being with the person he loves and missing her smile. In the dark tunnel that is the night, he sees a light and feels a burning deep inside, hoping that the person he loves can understand the struggle he is going through. He is not looking for a fight but he needs to follow the dreams inside his heart. He knows that he must surrender to responsibilities and legal tender, but he hopes that the ones he left behind for so long are still waiting for him.
The overall theme of the song can be interpreted to be about the price of following one’s dreams, the sacrifices one must make to achieve them, the loneliness that can come with it, and the comfort of going back to the place where one’s heart belongs. The lyrics also convey a sense of urgency, with the man driving as fast as he can to get back home, and the hope that the person he loves will still be waiting for him.
Line by Line Meaning
Midnight on a southern highway
It is late at night and I am traveling on a highway in the South.
Don't know if I'm going the right way
I am unsure if I am on the correct route.
I haven't seen a single sign for miles
I have not seen any signs indicating where I should go for miles.
All this stormy weather
There is intense and unfavorable weather that is making my journey difficult.
Keeping us from being together
The weather is causing us to be physically apart.
How long has it been since I've seen your smile
I am reminiscing about the last time I saw the person I care about, which makes me feel sad.
In this tunnel called the night
The night feels like a tunnel because it is dark and I cannot see far ahead.
I can finally see a light
I have found a light which helps me see a way forward.
I've got a burning deep inside
I have a powerful desire and passion to reach my destination.
I thought you might understand
I hoped that you would empathize with my journey and my desire to reach my destination.
I'm drivin' as fast as I can
I am driving as fast as I am safely able to.
And you said you'd wait for me
You promised to wait for me until I arrived.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the message that I am going home after being away for far too long, back to where my loved ones are waiting for me.
In the eyes of the legal tender
According to the law and society's expectations, I am expected to behave responsibly and follow a certain path.
You're the one who must surrender
You are the one who has to give up your desires and plans to support me.
I think they call it responsibility
This expectation and need to be responsible for our actions and choices is called responsibility.
I'm a man in emotion
I am a person who is very emotional and passionate.
With only one compulsion
I have only one driving force, which is to follow my heart's desires.
I've got to follow these dreams inside my heart
I must chase after my dreams and desires, even if it means being apart from you for a time.
I'm not looking for a fight
I am not trying to start a conflict or argument.
No one's wrong and no one's right
There is no one who is right or wrong in this situation; we are both following our hearts in different ways.
Maybe we all need time apart
Perhaps we both need some time separate from each other to pursue our own ambitions and work towards our goals.
So please understand
I hope you can empathize with my decision and understand that I need to follow my heart's calling.
I'm doin' the best that I can
I am trying my hardest to make this work for both of us.
Going home
The chorus repeats the message that I am going home after being away for far too long, back to where my loved ones are waiting for me.
Yeah, baby
A phrase indicating excitement or enthusiasm.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID PAICH, BOBBY KIMBALL
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.