This list of the Top 10 Toto songs was very much a labor of love for me. Ever since that remarkable first album, I have been hooked. There will be songs included here from that groundbreaking album from 1978, simply called Toto.
The Musicianship
I think it was the quality of the musicians that settled an argument. It was possible to have a group of great musicians all in the same band. And they can write great songs that were melodious and very passionate.
The Band
No pretensions about calling themselves a “supergroup,” like some we won’t mention. Toto were well-known studio musicians who were well-known to other musicians. They didn’t need to identify as that. Others did it for them.
When it became known that these guys had got together…
I should imagine a little ripple of fear began running through some people. Founding member and guitarist Steve Lukather was already highly regarded, having worked with Elton John, Alice Cooper, Chicago, and Bob Seger.
Other original members included the Porcaro brothers, the brilliant and now departed Jeff on drums, and Steve on keyboards. Other founding members were David Paich as a second vocalist, principal songwriter, and extra keyboards. Along with bass player Dave Hungate and lead vocalist Bobby Kimball.
“Best of” or “Top Ten” lists are always very subjective and down to someone’s opinion. So, these are my choices from an original list of great Toto songs that numbered more than 50.
Top 39 Toto Songs
1 Orphan
Toto is known for the standard of their musicianship. But they are also able to write great lyrics, as in this song. This is a track taken from the album Toto XIV released in 2015. I read someone say that he hears people say no good songs are being written anymore. I agree with him when he says that there are; it’s just that we are just force-fed rubbish by radio stations.
This is a song they wrote addressing problems that exist and reiterating that none of us are alone. Even children born as orphans have someone and something. The lyrics take the song further with a sentiment about poverty. “Someone said we’re one family – How can that be with all this poverty? – Time to reach out and make a start – Hold each other’s hands and lift each other’s hearts.”
It is a song with a typically flamboyant Toto style…
Verses are quite restrained that move into a heavyweight riff which itself doubles up on the timings. The arrangements in the song and the 6/8 time signature give you something to think about.
It isn’t often you get quality musicianship with well-lyricised content, but that is what you get here. And listen to Jeff Porcaro’s drum patterns. This is a powerful way to start my list.
2 Pamela
Taken from the 1988 album, The Seventh One, Joseph Williams took the lead vocal on this track and, along with David Paich, was a co-writer. Williams had already written most of the song about a friend named Pamela. The chorus of his song is found in the bridge of Toto’s song.
Toto was always popular in Holland, and this single reached #1 and peaked at #22 in America. It was their last successful single release in America. What starts as a relaxed track suddenly breaks into a funky rhythm with some slap bass going on with Porcaro’s drum patterns. Impressive solos from the keyboard and guitar lift the song back to its catchy chorus.
The typical Toto fade-out features Steve Lukather with a great solo backed up by that drum and bass groove.
3 Girl Goodbye
It will be inevitable that we will occasionally drift back to their first album, Toto, released in 1978. This is our first visit. It was an album that was released a year after they started work on it. Those familiar with it will know of its slick and stunning production and great songs.
If you aren’t familiar, then here it is…
Get a coffee, turn up the volume, throw away your copy of Rolling Stone magazine, and be prepared to be impressed. The album reached #37 in the UK, #25 in Holland, and #9 in America. The single was #9 in Holland and #22 in America.
A “well-known” magazine was critical of the album. They said it was all well and good producing this in a studio, but they aren’t a band, and they couldn’t do it live. Oh, really? Trying checking out Live in Amsterdam.
I think they can. I bet they felt silly, they could even still do it 25 years later, even with a new drummer. This track raised the bar and showed the world just how good they were.
4 Stop Loving You
Toto did enjoy occasionally bringing in other musicians and singers. This track features the great Jon Anderson, singer and frontman of the English progressive rock band Yes. He added some backing vocals. It was included in their album, The Seventh One, released in 1988. The song was written by David Paich and Steve Lukather.
It is essentially a ballad. But, I have included it here to demonstrate how they could add a groove to what was a simple song and make it sound so good. A catchy hook makes this an easy-listening track by their standards.
Commercially, it had a strange reaction. It got no chart recognition in the UK or America at all but reached #2 in Holland. It also did well in Norway, Sweden, Poland, and Belgium. Seems the Europeans liked it.
5 Till the End
One common feature of Toto’s songs is that they like to get your attention right from the very start. Nothing wrong with that, it keeps you listening. This is a track that was the final song on the 1986 album Fahrenheit.
Very much a jazz-orientated intro with plenty of drums and some powerful horns. As usual, they have done the work on the production and the arrangement. Plenty of grooves; it could be an Earth Wind and Fire track, apart from the vocals.
Accents in the rhythm drive the song on as it holds the listening audience. You never know what is coming next from Toto. Although possibly not one of their better-known tracks, I have included this song because of that rhythm and the horn sections. When compared to some of their songs, this has come from somewhere else. It was written by David Paich and Joseph Williams.
6 Georgy Porgy
Back to their 1978 debut album again for this track. It was written by David Paich and was a 1979 single release. It reached #28 on the UK chart, #33 in Holland, and #55 in America.
A slightly different setup for this track with Steve Lukather taking lead vocals. It has a nice comfortable swing to it which once again gives it that Cool Jazz feel. Lukather plays a nice slide guitar solo in the middle. Even 45 years after its release, it still doesn’t sound dated.
7 I’ll Supply The Love
Let’s stay with that debut album for this track and yet another David Paich composition. It was the second single taken from the album but wasn’t so successful, reaching only #45 on the American chart.
You could probably be forgiven for thinking this track was played by Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow when it first starts. However, we soon get into that Toto groove. Rhythm changes and power chords join in, with a hook it is easy to remember and join in with.
Toward the end, Jeff Pocaro and the brass cut loose a little with some great timing tricks. But watch out for the end, it is quite sudden.
8 Africa
One of the most well-known Toto songs, this was taken from the Toto IV album. It was the album’s third single and was a huge commercial success. “Africa” was written by David Paich and Jeff Pocaro. It reached #3 in the UK, #4 in Holland, and hit the top spot in America.
That #1 position in America was all the more significant than it might first appear. There were some other big names, including Elton John, vying for the top spot.
The song generates plenty of emotion and a tinge of sadness. It is about a man who travels to Africa but then must choose between staying in the country or leaving it to be with his girlfriend. Another track that is instantly recognizable as one of the Top 10 Toto songs.
9 Rosanna
“Rosanna” is a song written by David Paich and is another track taken from their fourth album, Toto IV. Now, we move into “Toto Country,” with one of Toto’s signature songs that is still heavily played today and is easily one of the best singles of the decade. It reached #12 in the UK, #3 in Holland, and #2 in America.
The Half-Time Shuffle
There is so much going on with this track that it is hard to get into any sense of normality. Heavy jazz influences, some great little off-beat riffs, overlapping keyboard solos, and, of course, then there is the “Half-Time Shuffle.”
Jeff Pocaro created this complex drum rhythm that is way beyond the capability of any normal drummer. It sits there across parts of the song and gives it a very jazzy feel. A great track and, without a doubt, one of the best songs by Toto.
10 Hold The Line
Back to that first album again. Any of the top three songs on this list could have been chosen as my favorite Toto song. However, I chose this one for a specific reason.
There aren’t many songs where I would have been brave enough to ask my wife to stop talking for a minute so I could listen to a song on the radio. But, this was one. My request did not go down so well. This was the first single from that first album.
From that very first piano intro, instantly recognizable, to great guitar work and excellent vocals, it had everything. It was written by David Paich and singer Bobby Kimball. But it had more than everything.
Guitar… Drums… Shhh, Just For A Minute
The solo came along, and it was more than decent. You might expect that, but then the solo carries on, and Steve Lukather lets rip. And, coming out of his solo at 2 min 25 sec Jeff Porcaro decided it’s time to let everyone know how good he is as well.
Breathless is the only way you could describe it the very first time you heard it. And, for many people, every time you hear it. I remember on the radio a DJ in the UK saying, “this was something else.” Not really, just Toto in full flow.
11I Will Remember by Toto
12Stranger in Town by Toto
13Endless by Toto
14Without Your Love by Toto
15Goodbye Elenore by Toto
16Angel Don’t Cry by Toto
17Isolation by Toto
18English Eyes by Toto
19How Does It Feel by Toto
20Just Can’t Get to You by Toto
21After You’ve Gone by Toto
22On the Run by Toto
23Mad About You by Toto
24The Turning Point by Toto
25Love Has the Power by Toto
26I Can’t Stand It Any Longer by Toto
27The Other End of Time by Toto
28Don’t Stop Me Now by Toto
29In a Word by Toto
30Time Is the Enemy by Toto
31Slipped Away by Toto
32Kick Down the Walls by Toto
33St. George and the Dragon by Toto
34Fahrenheit by Toto
35Devil’s Tower by Toto
36Spiritual Man by Toto
37Don’t Chain My Heart by Toto
38The Last Night by Toto
39Mrs. Johnson by Toto
Want to Learn About More Great Bands?
Well, have a look at our detailed articles on the Best Van Halen Songs, the Top 10 Earth, Wind & Fire Songs, the Top 10 Songs by The Who, the Best Fleetwood Mac Songs, and the Best The Guess Who Songs of All Time for more great song selections.
Top 39 Toto Songs – Final Thoughts
One of my biggest disappointments in music was only getting to see them live just once. At the Hammersmith Odeon in West London, it must have been around 1987 or 88.
That concert memory is just a blur now because watching and listening, you just couldn’t take it all in at the time. So, in answer to the question, “Were they that good?” Oh yes, they certainly were.
Coming up with a list of Toto’s Top 39 songs was difficult, and I am sure there are some songs that others would have preferred that I have excluded. But, when you are that good, and the choice is only 39, it becomes very difficult. But, that is Toto.
Until next time, happy listening.
