Classic Rock
Toto’s classic song “Africa” achieves one billion streams on Spotify
Released by Toto in their 1982 album “Toto IV”, the hit “Africa” became their most famous song and they just achieved the mark of one billion streams on the music streaming service Spotify.
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Co-writer David Paich said in an official statement in the band’s website: “This surpasses a dream come true! Thank you to our family, friends and fans! ‘Africa’ is the result of a team effort in the studio – resulting in musical magic! And thanks to Spotify for helping TOTO connect with so many awesome listeners. I know my co-writer Jeff Porcaro would be smiling and celebrating this moment with us.”
The Toto song
The initial idea and lyrics for the song came from David Paich. Paich was playing around with a new keyboard, the CS-80, and found the brassy sound that became the opening riff.
The musician completed the melody and lyrics for the chorus in about ten minutes, much to Paich’s surprise. “I sang the chorus out as you hear it. It was like God channeling it. I thought, ‘I’m talented, but I’m not that talented. Something just happened here!'”
Paich reckons that he refined the lyrics for six months before showing the song to the rest of the band.
Toto tour with Journey in 2022
Journey announced “Freedom Tour 2022” in North America that will also have special guests Billy Idol and Toto.
The only two former members of the group in the current line-up are guitarist Steve Lukather, singer Joseph Williams and keyboardist/singer David Paich.
April
- 7, 2022 PECHANGA ARENA SAN DIEGO San Diego, CA With
- 9, 2022 GILA RIVER ARENA Glendale, AZ
- 11, 2022 BALL ARENA Denver, CO
- 13, 2022 AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER Dallas, TX
- 15, 2022 SMOOTHIE KING CENTER New Orleans, LA
- 20, 2022 AMALIE ARENA Tampa, FL
- 21, 2022 AMWAY CENTER Orlando, FL
- 24, 2022 HERITAGE BANK CENTER Cincinnati, OH
- 25, 2022 STATE FARM ARENA Atlanta, GA
- 27, 2022 BRIDGESTONE ARENA Nashville, TN
- 28, 2022 SPECTRUM CENTER Charlotte, NC
- 30, 2022 SCHOTTENSTEIN CENTER Columbus, OH
May
- 2, 2022 ALLSTATE ARENA Rosemont, IL
- 4, 2022 VAN ANDEL ARENA Grand Rapids, MI
- 5, 2022 GAINBRIDGE FIELDHOUSE Indianapolis, IN
- 7, 2022 ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE Cleveland, OH
- 9, 2022 CAPITAL ONE ARENA Washington, D.C.
- 11, 2022 XL CENTER Hartford, CT
