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
Luke Solo
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like... You know
Auf Deutsch!!!
Was du weisst ich mag
Must ich unbedingt sein
Alles was ich nicht habe hier in Strall der Sonne
Hier komme ich zu alles was ich will und
Berkomme jeden Bauch in Blicken
Teile von der Welt sind die Wrter die ich sage
Hast du noch eine Frage? Fhlts du was ich male
Es geht nicht um die Sachen, es geht um was zu machen
Ich konnte so viel haben
Und zu wenig zu sagen
Ich mag nicht zu flicken...
Mit dir genau in Haus oder in Garten.
I like, vivir lo que quiero vivir,
You know, cuando tocan tengo que subir,
I like, para que te sientas bien aqu, para siempre.
I like, vivir lo que quiero vivir,
You know, cuando tocan tengo que subir,
I like, para que te sientas bien aqu, para siempre.
Tengo deseos de hacer cosas que no debo,
Pero creo en un lugar al que voy y llego,
Trato de hacer lo que quiero,
Y si no me resulta voy a empezar de nuevo,
En el fondo todos quieren lo mismo, buscan lo mismo
Pero todo esta lleno de sinismo,
Actuan como si la noche no fuera obscura,
Como si hubiera una mentira pura basura,
En la ciudad de la furia slo habita la culpa y lujuria,
Que surca en la vida de los que ocultan,
Pareciera que sufrieran de amnesia,
O estuvieran en estado de anestesia,
Este es mi ultimo aviso de urgencia,
En primera plana de mi propia prensa,
Todo se trata de fiscos de sumisos,
Y un mundo de abismos,
Entre los mismos ser hurmanos,
Que al dinero son adictos en vano,
Ya no se sabe quin es bueno quin es malo,
De que otra forma puedo explicar a la ye-nte,
Sin prejucios no sumisos libres listo.
I like, vivir lo que quiero vivir,
You know, cuando tocan
"Luke Solo" by Toto is a song that showcases the band's mastery of blending different music genres together. The lyrics of the song delve into the desire to live life on one's own terms, without being trapped by societal expectations or restrictions. The song opens with repetitions of "I like, you know," before moving on to the line "Auf Deutsch!!!" which means "In German!!!" From then on, the lyrics are in German, with a few English phrases thrown in. The singer speaks about their desire to have everything they don't have, to be in the sun’s rays and to have all the things they want. The singer also states how they don't want to settle for just anyone and want to be with the right person, whether it be inside or outside the house, and in the garden. The rest of the song discusses how people are all searching for the same things in life, and sometimes they give in to societal pressures, but it's essential to stay true to oneself.
The song's lyrics are very poetic and imaginative, as the singer is describing their desires for life in a very creative way. The use of German and English languages nicely blends into the song, and it speaks of the universal human desire for freedom and living life on one's own terms. The instrumentation is a notable characteristic of the melody, fusing rock, pop, and Latin themes.
Line by Line Meaning
I like... You know
I enjoy certain things, and you are aware of them.
I like... You know
I enjoy certain things, and you are aware of them.
Auf Deutsch!!!
In German!!!
Was du weisst ich mag
You know what I like.
Must ich unbedingt sein
I must absolutely be.
Alles was ich nicht habe hier in Strall der Sonne
Everything that I do not have, I can get here under the sun.
Hier komme ich zu alles was ich will und
Here, I am able to get everything that I want.
Berkomme jeden Bauch in Blicken
I control and overwhelm everyone with my looks and presence.
Der vor mich ist vor mich habe
Whoever stands in front of me, I have them (in my power).
Teile von der Welt sind die Wrter die ich sage
My words are a part of the world.
Hast du noch eine Frage? Fhlts du was ich male
Do you have any further questions? Can you feel what I am depicting?
Es geht nicht um die Sachen, es geht um was zu machen
It's not about the things, it's about what to do.
Ich konnte so viel haben
I have the capability to have so much.
Und zu wenig zu sagen
And so little to say.
Ich mag nicht zu flicken...
I don't like to patch things up...
Mit dir genau in Haus oder in Garten.
Together with you, precisely in the house or in the garden.
I like, vivir lo que quiero vivir,
I like to live my life the way I want it,
You know, cuando tocan tengo que subir,
you know, when they play, I have to rise,
I like, para que te sientas bien aqu, para siempre.
I like it, so that you feel good here forever.
Tengo deseos de hacer cosas que no debo,
I have desires to do things that I shouldn't,
Pero creo en un lugar al que voy y llego,
But I have faith in a place where I can go and arrive,
Trato de hacer lo que quiero,
I try to do what I want,
Y si no me resulta voy a empezar de nuevo,
And if it doesn't work out, I'll start again,
En el fondo todos quieren lo mismo, buscan lo mismo
Deep down, everyone wants the same thing, seeks the same thing
Pero todo esta lleno de sinismo,
But everything is full of cynicism,
Actuan como si la noche no fuera obscura,
They act as if the night were not dark,
Como si hubiera una mentira pura basura,
As if there were a pure lie, garbage,
En la ciudad de la furia slo habita la culpa y lujuria,
In the city of fury only guilt and lust reside,
Que surca en la vida de los que ocultan,
That plagues the lives of those who hide,
Pareciera que sufrieran de amnesia,
It seems as if they suffer from amnesia,
O estuvieran en estado de anestesia,
Or are in a state of anesthesia,
Este es mi ultimo aviso de urgencia,
This is my last urgent warning,
En primera plana de mi propia prensa,
On the front page of my own press,
Todo se trata de fiscos de sumisos,
It's all about finances and submission,
Y un mundo de abismos,
And a world of abysses,
Entre los mismos ser hurmanos,
Among the same human beings,
Que al dinero son adictos en vano,
Who are vainly addicted to money,
Ya no se sabe quin es bueno quin es malo,
It's no longer clear who is good and who is bad,
De que otra forma puedo explicar a la ye-nte,
How else can I explain to the people,
Sin prejucios no sumisos libres listo.
Without prejudice, without submission, free and ready.
I like, vivir lo que quiero vivir,
I like to live my life the way I want it,
You know, cuando tocan tengo que subir,
you know, when they play, I have to rise,
I like, para que te sientas bien aqu, para siempre.
I like it, so that you feel good here forever.
Contributed by Hannah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Miron Miron
You used to be on fire now you chill me to the bone
We used to fly like angels now we're sinking like a stone
You say you're trying to help me but that ain't the way it feels
I think you're trying to kill me with those stiletto heels
Paint the town black babe and let that pendulum swing
I been stabbed in the back babe
And if you don't love me, I'll never feel a thing
And oh, one thing I know
There's only one place left for me to go
Going back to the kingdom of desire
Going down to the valley of the gun
I'm gonna stand too close to the fire
I'm gonna fly too close to the sun
andy wardle
Young musicians take note. These guys have been doing this sort of stuff since the 70's.... Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
Jente Worrell
@Tonic Water To who were u talking to? Just curious..Maybe drink just less tonic;)
Tonic Water
And thanks to all of you that have brightened our days with your talent and dedication!
Alan Ludlow
thank you for your reply....that means a LOT to us older players such as myself, who have been playing since 1974...
Michel Arnet
Holy shit. One of the best guitar solos on the net! Dynamics, tone, technique. Freaking genius!
Alexis Santa Ana
Agree. It has some Petrucci vibe, but mixing more technique variations, tone, etc. It's really creative and fun to hear.
fab gaz
Plus that hard edge on the distortion....fuckin amazing..
Frank Liberio
Absolutely agree! I think this might be Luke's all-time most impressive solo. Evolution, jazz, shred, experimental, outside harmony to bluesy wailing.... truly a masterpiece.
Bill Flyer
This is Luke playing from another planet. He is by far my favorite guitar player. Kingdom of Desire and Mindfields in my opinion the best two albums they have ever recorded. Simply masterpieces!!!
Jente Worrell
And they are one of the best when it comes down to play live on stage.