Getting what may easily be described as the greatest Toto songs may not be easy as the band which has been in existence for almost 50 years, has released many amazing songs that stood them out over half a century.
The band has a discography that comprises 14 studio albums including their self-titled debut album, ‘Toto’. There are notable songs by the group, such as Africa, Hold the Line, I Won’t Hold You Back, and I’ll Be Over You.
The TOTO band was originally formed by 6 members; Bobby Kimball (lead vocalist), Steve Lukather (guitarist and vocal), and David Paich (Bassist). There was also David Hungate who was the bassist, Jeff Porcaro as the TOTO drummer, and Steve Porcaro as the keyboardist.
Together, the aforementioned men started the release of hit songs. Along the line, some members left the band while others joined, and then former members also rejoined.
Here are the 15 Greatest TOTO Songs in No Particular Order
1. Africa
The song was released in the United States in October 1982 and was the tenth song on the rock band’s 4th Studio Album. The song was composed by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro and charted Platinum a couple of times in the United Kingdom, USA, Denmark, Italy, Australia, and Canada. In New Zealand, ‘Africa’ was certified Gold with about 10,000 certified units.
The inspiration for the song stems from a man’s love for Africa and it hadn’t any romantic inclination.
Lyrics
It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had (ooh, ooh)
2. Hold the Line
Another David Paich song, Hold the Line was released alongside the group’s 1978 debut studio album. The song was a lead single for the TOTO band on October 2, 1978. The song even went on to clinch the number 5 position on the Billboard Hot 100 and the 14 position on UK Singles Chart.
Lyrics
Hold the Line
Love isn’t always on time
Whoa oh oh
Hold the line
Love isn’t always on time
Whoa oh oh
3. Rosanna
This particular song written by Paich won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1983. The song was the TOTO’s opening track on their 1982 album. Rosanna peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks, consecutively.
The song was also a successful hit in the UK as it peaked at No.12 on the UK Singles Chart. The song remained on the chart for as long as 8 weeks. In 1983, Rosanna won Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s).
Lyrics
All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see your eyes
Rosanna, Rosanna
I never thought that a girl like you could ever care for me
Rosanna
All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you tight
Rosanna, Rosanna
I didn’t know you were looking for more than I could ever be
4. Stop Loving You
From the album ‘The Seventh One’, the song Rosanna was in the No. 2 position in The Netherlands and Belgium. For this song, the Los Angeles band featured British singer and musician, Jon Anderson, who sang backup vocals.
Lyrics
I can’t stop loving you, time passes quickly and chances are few
I won’t stop till I’m through loving you, girl
There’s a window in a heart, I’ve tried to look through from the start
You’re never really sure what someone else is thinking
Someone’s broken something new, another altered point of view
Just a certain someone’s conscience playing
5. Georgy Porgy
This song is a child’s anthem that was released in April 1979 with the band’s first album. The song peaked on Billboard Hot 100 at 48th position and also 18 on R&B and Dance Charts.
A female vocal was needed in the recording of the adaptation of the nursery rhyme and Cheryl Lynn was featured for the part. The song has had over 5 covers by various bands and individuals.
Lyrics
It’s not your situation
I just need contemplation over you
I’m not systematic
It’s just that I’m an addict for your love
6. I Won’t Hold You Back
Steve Lukather wrote and sang I Won’t Hold You Back for the Toto band. The song peaked at number 10 in the United State when it was on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on May 7, 1983.
On an Adult Contemporary chart, it was in the number 1 spot for about 3 weeks.
Lyrics
Now you’re gone, I’m really not the same,
I guess I held myself to blame
Time can erase the things we said
But it gives me time to realize that you’re the one who’s sad
You know I won’t hold you back now
The love we had just can’t be found
You know I can’t hold you back now
7. Make Believe
From the album which made triple platinum, it is no surprise that Make Believe would be one of the greatest Toto songs of all time. It was released in July 1982 and is a fusion of rock and jazz fusion.
Make Believe was featured on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, a video game. It peaked at the number 19 position in Cash Box Magazine.
Lyrics
Why don’t we make believe
We’re in love again?
Who said the crimson moon doesn’t shine
Where do people go
When they’re lookin’ for that
One of a kind?
8. I’ll Be Over You
From Toto’s 6th studio album, ‘Fahrenheit’, I’ll Be Over You was the lead single from the album. The track was in the top position on the Adult Contemporary chart for two weeks.
The story behind the song tells a tale of a guy who broke up with his girl and eventually regretted it. After the act, the guy got to realize that he still loves the girl. However, the moral of the story is for people to not throw away what they have as they won’t know what they have till they lose it.
Lyrics
It takes some time
God knows how long
I know that I can forget you
As soon as forever is through
(I’ll be over you)
9. I’ll Supply the Love
This song made it to a couple of hit charts in the United States and Europe. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song was in the 45th spot. In Australia, it made it to the 92 nd position and was 73 in Canada.
The song made its best peak position when it got to the number 29 position in New Zealand. I’ll Supply the Love was featured in the 2011 Fantasy Comedy Zookeeper.
Lyrics
You supply the night, baby
I’ll supply the love
You supply the night, baby
I’ll supply the love
I see a horseman in the sky
It makes me turn and wonder why
I hear the same old fourteen reasons
Must be the changin’ of the seasons
10. Stranger in Town
Taking 10th place among the greatest Toto songs of all time is this song from the 1984 album ‘Isolation’. It made its way to the Billboard Hot 100 in December of the same year, being the only track from the album to achieve such a feat.
Ultimately, Toto band never had another track that reached the highest-ever charting mainstream Rock track. It peaked at number 7 and also 40 in Australia.
Lyrics
You better watch out, there’s a stranger in town
You better watch out when he comes around
Don’t make a sound
The morning paper and the head-lines read: Danger to the queen
Buckingham Palace better tighten things up
The son of a bitch is mean
Vendors on the corner just doin’ their job
Acting like nothing’s new
Scotland Yard’s still looking for him
But he doesn’t leave a clue
A single clue
11. Waiting for Your Love
Though this song only peaked at the 73rd spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by Bobby Kimball and David Paich. It was originally written in the ‘70s and named ‘You Got Me’.
Bobby was credited to have given a fantastic lead vocal performance in the song.
Lyrics
I’ve been waitin’ for your love and it’s been here all the time
Right in front of me
I’ve been sittin’, waitin’ for your love, and all the time it’s been here
Right in front of me
SEE ALSO: Marry Me Songs; 15 Greatest Songs To Make Your Proposal Special
12. 99
99 was from the Hydra album released in December 1979 and was written by David Paich. The song appeared on Billboard Charts taking 26th place. On the PRM singles chart in Canada, 99 made it to position 17.
Lyrics
99
I’ve been waiting so long
Oh, 99
Where did we go wrong
Oh, 99
I love you
13. Live for Today
This song was the first song written by Steve Lukather for the American soft rock band. Amazingly, it made it to one of the greatest Toto songs of all time peaking at number 40 on Mainstream Rock Charts.
Lyrics
Baby, I’m a liar when I tell you that I just don’t care
Babe, I’ve got to have you but you’re never ever, ever there
Hey, the game is over, give it up right now
You’re teasin’ me, baby, how do you expect me to be without you
You let your hair down low
You didn’t want to know about lovin’ me babe
Let’s live for today, tomorrow may never come
Let’s live for today, tomorrow may never come
But you just can’t tell anymore
14. I Will Remember
This track is one that put the Tambu album on the list of Toto’s greatest songs of all time. The song peaked at 64 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was released in September 1995 and was written by Stan Lynch and Steve Lukather.
Lyrics
I was born in the land of the sun
And the tall green grass
And I don’t understand
How all this has come to pass
15. Pamela
David Paich and Joseph Williams co-wrote this song. David first wrote the chorus, music, and words with the name. Williams sought inspiration from a friend who bore the same name and he had already written a song for her.
Together, they worked on the song using William’s song as the bridge while he revamped the song.
Pamela peaked at number 22 on Billboard Hot 100 and reached the number 9 spot on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Lyrics
Pamela, don’t break this heart of mine
Just remember, it may not heal this time
Pamela, there is no second chance, for the one who leaves it all behind, yeah yeah
READ ALSO: Neil Diamond Songs & 20 Of His Greatest Hits Yet, Complete Albums, Awards And Nominations
These Greatest Toto Songs of All Times Have Won the Band at Least 6 Awards
Apart from the Grammy awards stated earlier, the Los Angeles rock group has had a couple of Grammy Awards nominations and won a few. From 1979 to 2000, the group’s albums and songs were nominated for a total of 11 awards.
Here’s a list of their nominations and wins:
Toto (album) in 1979
- Best New Artist – Nominated
In 1983 Toto (album)
- Producer of the year – Won
Toto (album) In 1986
- Double Crystal Globe Awards for sales of more than 5 million records abroad.
Rosanna (song) in 1983
- Record of the year – Won
- Song of the Year – Nominated
- Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group – Nominated
- Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices – Won
- Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
Toto IV (album) in 1983
- Album of the Year – Won
Tambu (album) in 1997
- Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical – Nominated
Mindfields (album) in 2000
- Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical – Nominated
