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
On The Run
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better watch that sword that's hanging over you
It's a long hard road and they will spit you out
When they get through with you
Don't hang your head
So the wise man said
Or boy you'll soon be dead
You better run, run Manuela-uela run
They're gonna shoot you in the back with your own gun
You better run, run Manuela-uela run, Manuela run
(Ha) there's no more time for living out your life
Your sky is falling down
Don't close your eyes or make a wish on three
'Cause they will still be 'round
Don't hang your head
So the wise man said
Or boy you'll soon be dead
You better run, run Manuela-uela run
They're gonna shoot you in the back with your own gun (shoot you in the back with your own gun)
You better run, run Manuela-uela run, Manuela run
Manuela run
Don't hang your head
So the wise man said
Or boy you'll soon be dead
You better run, run Manuela-uela run, you better run, run Manuela-uela run (brr yeah)
You better run, run Manuela-uela run (gonna shoot you in the back with your own gun)
You better run, run Manuela-uela run, you better run, run Manuela run
You better run, run Manuela run (gonna shoot you in the back with your own gun)
You better run, run Manuela run
The song "On The Run" by Toto is a warning to Manuela that she is in grave danger and needs to run to save her own life. The lyrics are bleak and ominous, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The sword hanging over her represents a threat hanging over her head that can fall on her at any moment. The long and difficult road ahead of her will not be easy to travel, and the people she meets along the way will not be kind. "They will spit you out when they get through with you" is a warning that the world is cruel and unforgiving to people like Manuela who are in trouble.
The chorus of the song is a plea for Manuela to run for her life as the consequences of staying still will be deadly. Her own gun could be used against her and therefore, she needs to run for her life. The sense of desperation is reinforced by the repetition of "You better run, run Manuela-uela run." The song ends with a somber warning that there is no more time for her to live her life as she desires, and she needs to run before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't look now
Be careful of what's coming
You better watch that sword that's hanging over you
Be aware of the danger that's coming your way
It's a long hard road and they will spit you out
The path to success is full of hardships and people will take advantage of you
When they get through with you
When they are done using you
Don't hang your head
Don't lose hope
So the wise man said
Like the wise man says
Or boy you'll soon be dead
Or else you will not prosper
You better run, run Manuela-uela run
You need to escape from the danger
They're gonna shoot you in the back with your own gun
The danger will catch up with you
Ha
An exclamation of distress or realization
There's no more time for living out your life
You can't afford to waste your life anymore
Your sky is falling down
You are losing everything you have
Don't close your eyes or make a wish on three
Don't ignore what's happening around you
'Cause they will still be 'round
Because the danger will persist
You better run, run Manuela-uela run, Manuela run
You need to escape from the danger
Don't hang your head
Don't lose hope
You better run, run Manuela-uela run, you better run, run Manuela-uela run (brr yeah)
You need to escape from the danger
You better run, run Manuela-uela run (gonna shoot you in the back with your own gun)
You need to escape from the danger as it's catching up with you
You better run, run Manuela-uela run, you better run, run Manuela run
You need to escape from the danger
You better run, run Manuela run (gonna shoot you in the back with your own gun)
You need to escape from the danger as it's catching up with you
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Paich
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexandermelendez3951
Everybody's moving way too fast
Before you blink you better find out who's in your path
Pressure's building up on every side
In my heart I know that I've got nothing to hide
What makes you think that you're the only one
Now I know my troubles have just begun
I'm on the run, nobody's stopping me
I'm on the run, and there's nobody left on my side
I'm on the run, I know you're watching me
There's not enough time to decide
You never know what the night could bring
Every moment all the angels speaking to sing
Why worry just to save your pride
And all the answers are buried so deep inside
Doesn't take a crystal ball to see the truth
Gonna take a miracle to see this thing through
I'm on the run, nobody's stopping me
I'm on the run, and there's nobody left on my side
I'm on the run, I know you're watching me
There's not enough time to decide
I'm on the run, nobody's stopping me
I'm on the run, and there's nobody left on my side
I'm on the run, I know you're watching me
There's not enough time to decide
I'm on the run, nobody's stopping me
I'm on the run, and there's nobody left on my side
I'm on the run, I know you're watching me
I'm on the run, and you can't say that I haven't tried
I'm on the run, nobody's stopping me
I'm on the run, and there's nobody left on my side
I'm on the run, I know you're watching me
There's not enough time to decide
@TheBfutgreg
Lukather is sooo legit, top 10 guitarist of all time for me, and I'm mostly a metal guy but he's so well rounded and badass
@39gripen83
Slik var det i min ungdom. 😚🍾👍
@Midgard95Band
Amen for that!!!
@cottagechskitty
He can truly do pretty much every guitar style, often in the same song
@LabutoHelpGuy
@@39gripen83 lyder godt
@yoteca
This is an insane opener by a truly all stars band. Mike Porcaro being a badass as always, Jeff smashing like only he could, David styling on the keys and Lukather..un-freaking-touchable. I come back to this performance often as this track never saw a studio release and this is the best live version. Absolute crime they are still not in the Hall of Fame
@joshkosh95
THANK YOU TOTO! Jeff and Mike Porcaro in 1080p! I wasn't even born when Jeff ruled the drumming world so it makes me so happy to get to experience a classic Toto show in this quality!
@ManuelTrevigno
I remember the first time I watch a Toto video on MTV. It was "Goodbye Eleonore" and Jeff Porcaro was the one who caught my attention, first for his glasses and for his drumming. 35 years ago.
@dagostinoification
Than you Josh ! Friendships !
@drummakid101
A beautiful moment at 3:48, you can clearly see Mike say "Yeah, Steve!" looking at him, proudly, as if he was egging on his little brother.
You can really tell the camaraderie, fellowship and love runs deep in this line up. Steve Lukather really should've been born a Porcaro. Love this.