Africa (4:56)

Cover of Past to Present 1977-1990

From Past to Present 1977-1990 and 386 other releases

The song was included on their 1982 album Toto IV, and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1983 and number three on the UK Singles Chart the same month. The song was written by the band’s keyboardist David Paich, who also sings both verses of the song, and drummer Jeff Porcaro. Bobby Kimball sings the chorus.

The song almost cut from the Toto IV record prior to its release. Having spent an incredible amount of time producing the tune, the band became so tired of the song that they didn’t want it on the album. The song itself was very different from anything the band had done before, and some members felt that it didn’t sound like Toto.

“I didn’t think it was very good,” said Steve Lukather (Classic Rock Revisited, 2003). “That tells you what can happen when we pick our own singles!”

David Paich, who co-wrote the song with Jeff Porcaro, said that it “could have been the beginning of a solo project because it was so different. I thought I’d save it… World Music wasn’t around then.”

The initial idea for the song came from David Paich, playing on his piano. Jeff explains the idea behind the song: “… a white boy is trying to write a song on Africa, but since he’s never been there, he can only tell what he’s seen on TV or remembers in the past.”

Musically the song took quite some time to assemble, as David and Jeff explain below.

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Send ‘Africa’ Ringtone to Cell

I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She's coming in the 12:30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation

MetroLyrics Full lyrics at MetroLyrics

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  • Eye_Gore

    Such a damn fine song.

    20 May 4:34pm Reply
  • jbdsan

    Very short time this song reminds me of times atraz

    13 May 1:24am Reply
  • Vincent____Vega

    Great song.

    12 May 6:34am Reply
  • vegcat89

    The chorus makes me hyper :D

    10 May 6:05pm Reply
  • cheershopefears

    This song is one of the most enjoyable and amiable tracks I've ever heard.

    5 May 6:08am Reply
  • ernstmayer

    Einer der "glatten" Lieder, die einem auch nach 100-maligen Hören immer noch gefallen.

    3 May 8:50am Reply
  • PrinceOWeasels

    instant feel-good song

    14 Apr 4:45pm Reply
  • DonkeyKongJr13

    best song ever [2]

    30 Mar 10:14pm Reply
  • Revello1630

    I remember my nights in a car in Vice City... [2]

    28 Mar 12:54am Reply
  • greenvillepa

    :)

    20 Mar 1:49am Reply
  • TheDarkSide73

    Great Song..It takes me back to my childhood...

    14 Mar 5:03am Reply
  • DonkeyKongJr13

    best song ever

    10 Mar 8:29pm Reply
  • vlshavyrov

    Сильная песня - крепкая группа...

    9 Mar 5:25pm Reply
  • njokmo413

    I dont know is there anything that could make this song more perfect? [2] "as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti" one of the most ingenious lyrics ever written :)

    5 Mar 6:36am Reply
  • Panecea

    Gonna take some time to do the things we never had .........

    15 Feb 4:02pm Reply
  • jhawk0134

    <3

    12 Feb 9:42pm Reply
  • inhocvince

    still excellent song even 30 years later!

    12 Feb 1:06pm Reply
  • Drax420

    PLEASE DON'T READ THIS. YOU WILL BE KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE.TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. NOW YOU'VE STARTED READING THIS. DON'T STOP. THIS IS SO FREAKY. 1. say your name 10 times 2. say your mom's name 5 times 3. say your crushes name 3 times 4. paste this to 4 other songs. if you do this, your crush will kiss you on the nearest Friday. but if you read this and do not paste this, then you will have very bad luck. SEND THIS TO 5 SONGS IN 143 MINUTES. WHEN YOU'RE DONE PRESS F6 AND YOUR CRUSH'S NAME WILL APPEAR IN BIG LETTERS.ITS SO FREAKY BUT IT WILL ACTUALLY WORK

    3 Feb 8:58pm Reply
  • Nurse_Rosetta

    The song smells like hot african savannah.

    1 Feb 5:17pm Reply
  • whatsanapocalae

    I dont know is there anything that could make this song more perfect?

    25 Jan 8:50am Reply
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