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
It's a Feelin'
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But a man's on the outside looking in, wondering who's in his old armchair
It's a feeling, you never belonged to me
First you're on the up 'n up, I only look down and see
Only look down and see
You're fighting me, you knew me, all desires
(repeats 2x)
It's a feeling...
The lyrics to Toto's song "It's a Feelin'" convey a sense of alienation and disconnection. The singer describes feeling like he doesn't belong or fit in, like he's looking in on someone else's life. He talks about being on the outside looking in, watching someone take his place in a relationship. The repetition of the phrase "it's a feeling" suggests that this sense of disconnection is something that can't be fully put into words or understood.
The second verse adds more complexity to the emotions being explored in the song. The singer talks about a person who was once close to him, but who has now become distant. This person is described as being on the "up 'n up," moving forward in life, while the singer feels stuck and unable to move forward. The line "only look down and see" suggests that the singer is unable to see a way out of his current situation, and is mired in feelings of despair or hopelessness.
The final verse talks about the idea of truth being hidden or obscured. The line "no lock or key can hide the truth you're keeping from me" suggests that there is something important that the singer is not being told or that he can't see. This could be interpreted in a number of ways - perhaps there is a secret relationship or betrayal happening, or perhaps the singer is simply struggling to understand his own emotions.
Overall, "It's a Feelin'" is a song that explores complex emotional states with poetic and evocative lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a feeling, I don't belong here
I feel like I'm out of place and don't fit in here
But a man's on the outside looking in, wondering who's in his old armchair
I'm like a man looking in from outside, wondering who's taken my place in my own space
It's a feeling, you never belonged to me
I always knew that you never really belonged to me
First you're on the up 'n up, I only look down and see
Even though you're doing well for yourself, I only feel inferior and down when I compare myself to you
Only look down and see
My perspective is limited and only allows me to see things from a negative angle
You're fighting me, you knew me, all desires
You're resisting me and holding back, despite knowing all my wants and needs
No lock or key can hide the truth you're keeping from me
No matter how much you try to conceal it, the truth you're hiding from me will eventually be revealed
(repeats 2x)
These feelings of emotional disconnection and confusion continue to persist
It's a feeling...
The underlying sentiment throughout the song that describes a sense of not belonging and emotional disconnect
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVE PORCARO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeffery Broussard
This is one of greatest Soft Rock songs of all time!!!
Paul Jacques
Another standout classic cut from the always legendary Steve Porcaro.
RUSH
ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONG EVER IN HISTORY
hernan romero
excelent song,excellent sound!!! thanks for sharing!!
Mallory's Ex
It's 3AM. I can't sleep. 😕 This is my go-to 3AM track! 😶
Marcos Sepulveda
1983 TOTO big 80 nostalgia MTV
Marcos Sepulveda
Steve Porcaro la escribió Toto
G.J.B.
1:32 That tom, hmm