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
Mushanga
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't forget you my little Mushanga
I keep a place in my heart for you
The days of waiting they keep getting longer
And not a thing I can do
I was a poet, a magazine writer
Sent to report on political views
It was by chance through a lens that I met you
Chorus:
You were runnin' down the road
I was going your way
I stopped and turned around to lent you my hand
You smiled though you were suffering
I didn't understand, then
You broke into my heart
I saw your eyes and then I knew
You broke into my heart
Like the wind and rain that followed you
You broke into my heart
Had the Lord above forgotten you?
You broke in from the start
And all my tears belong to you
Mushanga, oh, Mushanga, oh
[Verse 2:]
I sat and watched as she danced by the fires
Through ancient songs did the tale unfold
They sang of diamonds that came from their mountains
The loss of lives mining white man's gold
I had to leave and go back to Manhattan
Where all my stories are bought and sold
I know the city would surely be saddened
If what I knew could be told
(Chorus)
[Instrumental break]
[Verse 3:]
It's been so long since I last heard your laughter
So many letters and still no news
I hope you find all the things that you're after
You know my heart is with you
You were runnin' down the road
I was going your way
I stopped and turned around to lent you my hand
You smiled though you were suffering
I didn't understand, then
You broke into my heart
I saw your eyes and then I knew
You broke into my heart
Like the wind and rain that followed you
You broke into my heart
Had the Lord above forgotten you?
You broke into my heart
I saw your eyes and then I knew
You broke in from the start
And all my tears belong to you
Mushanga, oh, Mushanga, oh [repeat 3x]
The song "Mushanga" by Toto is a love song that tells a story of a chance encounter between the singer and a young Capetown girl named Mushanga. The singer, a poet and magazine writer sent to report on political views, meets Mushanga through a lens and is immediately captivated by her. They have a brief moment together before he has to leave, but she leaves a lasting impact on him. The singer leaves Capetown and goes back to Manhattan, where he continues to think of Mushanga and long for her. He sends her letters but receives no response, so the song ends with him still holding a place for her in his heart and longing for her.
The lyrics of "Mushanga" are rich with imagery and symbolism. The song starts with the lines "I can't forget you my little Mushanga / I keep a place in my heart for you," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is unable to forget Mushanga and has a special place for her in his heart. The chorus of the song, which repeats the line "You broke into my heart," is particularly effective in conveying the intensity of the singer's feelings for Mushanga.
Overall, "Mushanga" is a poignant and emotional love ballad that tells a story of love and loss. The song is a testament to the power of love and the lasting impact that it can have on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't forget you my little Mushanga
I cannot forget about you, my dear Mushanga.
I keep a place in my heart for you
You have a special place in my heart that is reserved just for you.
The days of waiting they keep getting longer
As time goes on, the waiting seems to become more difficult.
And not a thing I can do
Unfortunately, I am unable to take action to make this situation any easier.
I was a poet, a magazine writer
I was a writer who composed pieces for magazines and expressed myself through poetry as well.
Sent to report on political views
I was assigned to focus on political issues and provide commentary on them through my writing.
It was by chance through a lens that I met you
I came across you purely by chance when I was using my camera to capture images.
A Capetown girl with no shoes
You were a girl from Capetown who had no shoes on.
You were runnin' down the road
I noticed you were running along the path.
I was going your way
My direction was the same as yours.
I stopped and turned around to lent you my hand
I paused and offered my assistance to you by extending my hand out to you.
You smiled though you were suffering
Despite your struggles and pain, you managed to offer me a smile.
I didn't understand, then
Initially, I was confused by the situation.
You broke into my heart
You made your way into my heart.
I saw your eyes and then I knew
After I witnessed the emotions in your eyes, I realized that you were special to me.
Like the wind and rain that followed you
Just as the wind and rain came after you, you becoming a part of my life was inevitable.
Had the Lord above forgotten you?
I wondered if God had abandoned you in your struggles.
And all my tears belong to you
My emotions and tears are directed towards you.
I sat and watched as she danced by the fires
I observed you dancing around the fires.
Through ancient songs did the tale unfold
You shared stories that have been passed down through generations through songs.
They sang of diamonds that came from their mountains
Their songs included references to diamonds that originated from their surrounding mountains.
The loss of lives mining white man's gold
They paid tribute to the lives that had been lost while mining gold for white people.
I had to leave and go back to Manhattan
Unfortunately, I eventually had to depart and return to Manhattan.
Where all my stories are bought and sold
Manhattan is a place where my work is usually purchased and shared.
I know the city would surely be saddened
I have the feeling that the city will be unhappy with what I have to say.
If what I knew could be told
If I were to share what I have learned, it would be a flaw for me and the city.
It's been so long since I last heard your laughter
It has been a long time since I heard your joyful laughter.
So many letters and still no news
I have tried to keep in touch with you and frequently write letters, but I have not received any replies in a while.
I hope you find all the things that you're after
I desire for you to discover and pursue things that bring you joy and fulfillment.
You broke in from the start
You have been a part of me since the beginning.
Mushanga, oh, Mushanga, oh
This serves as a repetition and emphasis on the importance and continued presence of Mushanga.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID PAICH, JEFF PORCARO
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.