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
White Sister
Toto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you don't even love yourself
You live your life like a jagged knife
Just waiting on the shelf
How can you live for tomorrow
When you curse the night and day
The minutes pass through the hour glass
[Chorus]
Do you love me
White sister
Do you love me when I play your game
Do you love me
White sister
Do you love me
When I call your name
How can you touch the sorrow
With a leather gloved hand
When you summon the winds of anger
Just as fast as you can
You crucify an orphan
With the rainbow in your eyes
Then you send out invitations
And address them with his cries
I don't even know what's right
I can say
That you put up some kind of fight
I've been branded
I've been stranded
I'm so thankful for what I've been handed
I wish I could say that you're mine
Such a card game
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Toto's song "White Sister" convey a sense of confusion and frustration when it comes to understanding a woman who is emotionally unavailable. The song begins with a question, "How can you say you love me when you don't even love yourself?" The singer is questioning the sincerity of the woman's love, pointing out that she has not yet come to terms with her own emotional state.
The lyrics go on to describe how the woman lives her life like a "jagged knife" that is just waiting on a shelving, implying there is a sense of danger and unreliability around her. The singer also ponders how can she "live for tomorrow when you curse the night and day." The lyrics suggest that she is not living in the present, but rather dwelling on things past or future.
The chorus then asks the question, "Do you love me, White sister?" The use of the term "white sister" could be interpreted in a few ways, perhaps as a term of endearment or possibly as a reference to a nun or a member of a religious order. The singer is asking if she loves him and if she still has the ability to love.
The verses continue to describe how despite the woman's leather glove that she uses to touch the sorrows of others, there is still a sense of anger within her. The lyrics continue, "You crucify an orphan with the rainbow in your eyes. Then you send out invitations and address them with his cries." This indicates that despite her feelings, she takes them out on others who may be helpless.
Overall, the lyrics of "White Sister" showcase the struggle of trying to understand and love someone who is emotionally unavailable.
Line by Line Meaning
How can you say you love me
Questioning the sincerity of the love professed towards the singer
When you don't even love yourself
Pointing out the lack of self-love in the person professing love
You live your life like a jagged knife
Describing the destructive behavior of the person
Just waiting on the shelf
Imagery portraying the person as idle and unproductive
How can you live for tomorrow
Questioning the person's motivation for the future
When you curse the night and day
Highlighting their negative attitude towards time
The minutes pass through the hour glass
Representation of the passing of time
As you let them slip away
Observation of the person's inaction
Do you love me
Reiteration of the initial question regarding love
White sister
Term of endearment or reference to the person
Do you love me when I play your game
Questioning if the love shown is conditional based on certain actions
Do you love me
Reiteration of the initial question regarding love
When I call your name
Asking if the person acknowledges and responds to the singer's calls
How can you touch the sorrow
Asking how the person can cause pain and suffering
With a leather gloved hand
Description of the physical action causing pain
When you summon the winds of anger
Highlighting the person's tendency to become angry quickly
Just as fast as you can
Observation of their speed in becoming angry
You crucify an orphan
Imagery of causing extreme pain to someone in a vulnerable position
With the rainbow in your eyes
Contrasting the kindness reflected in their eyes with their cruel actions
Then you send out invitations
Describing their tendency to invite others to join in on harmful behavior
And address them with his cries
Indicating the pain and suffering that has resulted from their actions
I don't even know what's right
A statement of uncertainty regarding the situation
I can say
Acknowledging the limitations of their understanding of the situation
That you put up some kind of fight
Observing the person's resistance and struggle in life
I've been branded
Acknowledging the singer's experience of being marked or scarred
I've been stranded
Description of the singer's feeling of being alone and helpless
I'm so thankful for what I've been handed
Gratitude for the positive aspects of the singer's life
I wish I could say that you're mine
Desire for a deeper connection with the person they are addressing
Such a card game
Comparison of the situation to a game of chance or strategy
Do you love me
Reiteration of the initial question regarding love
White sister
Term of endearment or reference to the person
Do you love me when I play your game
Reiteration of the question about conditional love
Do you love me
Reiteration of the initial question regarding love
When I call your name
Reiteration of the question about acknowledging and responding to the artist's calls.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOBBY KIMBALL, DAVID PAICH
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.