David Paich will always have my utmost respect for singing the line, "As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti" and making it sound smooth as hell.
@@stevenhoward3358 I propose with my tongue firmly in my cheek that it's a sneaky way of saying he's not going to "do what's right". "I know that I must do what's right, as sure as Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is the capital of Malawi."
Yep, I lived in South Africa for a couple years and it evokes memories for me of the good of African places, people, and culture, yet somehow lets me overlook the bad since I lived there during Apartheid. Now 50 years later I have a yearning to return there every time I hear this song.
The first time I went to SA for work I got into a taxi at Jo’burg airport to go to my customer in Sandton and this was the first thing on the radio. Serendipity and now it physically evokes SA for me every time I hear it.
I was born in Africa and lived there for 27 years. Whenever I hear this song it brings back fond memories of thunderstorms in the afternoon and the smell of rain.
Yesterday around midnight we had a true highveld storm. I do not wish to contradict your memories but my recent perception of that "smell of rain" is in fact the smell of lightning raising ozone content combined with the big drop rain clearing particulate airborne matter. I humbly suggest that not all rain smells the same. Mooi Bly.
I remember the raindrops on the tin roof. Pretoria was my home for over a decade during my teenage years, met a girl, got married, started a family. Africa will always hold my heart.
It's really surprising how enjoyable this song is, no matter how many times I hear it. That's extremely rare. It just really has a joyful adventurous feeling to it.
Fun fact about Toto. They are considered the "most listened to band of all time". Namely because each of the band members, are most known for being studio musicians, who are REALLY good in their fields. And that they have worked on so many different albums, for so many famous artists, for such a long time period, that it's estimated that roughly 95% of the human population, has heard a song that a band member from Toto has played on, to some extent. That was in fact how they got together, they would see each other at the studios a lot, and were like "Hey, why don't we just make our own band?" And so they did. But yeah, most prolific musicians on the planet.
When you listen to the beginning and then the verses you think "oh, here's another soft rock, adult contemporary song." And then...one of the most perfect choruses you've ever heard. It can win over anyone. From a punk rocker purist to your grandmother. It's one of those incredibly rare songs that is pretty much loved by everyone.
I really like seeing Amy enjoy herself listening to music. I always appreciate the commentary and analysis, but it's even better when she's having fun.
A number of years ago I was looking to shake up my life and go on an extended trip. I narrowed my choices down to three places when this song came on the radio. Moshi, Tanzania was one of my choices and this song was the decider. 17 years later, I am still in Tanzania, with a great view of Kilimanjaro from my house (whenever the clouds give their permission). For me, it was and still is the right choice. Needless to say, this song holds a special place in my heart.
Wow it amazes me how she can recall certain aspects of the music after a brief listening. She said "What gets to me most is when the voice and the brass converge and theres this wonderful crush" I have heard this song hundreds of times over the years and never noticed such fine details as that. I am fascinated at her interpretation of the music I have listened to all my life.
Tbh I live for this stuff and it’s why I love listening to people reacting to my favorite music. While I tend to favor those who react to video game music (I need validation for loving such oft overlooked music tbh), this type of stuff is cool too imo.
I was born in (Rhodesia) Zimbabwe, I have lived and worked all over the world - mainly Asia and Arabia. This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Maybe I am homesick.
Mate, I've never even been close to Africa, but I have the same reaction. I was in radio when this album came out, and Rosanna was the first hit. But I could not stop listening to this beautiful song. This is the hit for me.
The members of Toto are excellent musicians. They actually formed as a group because they kept running into each other in the same circles as studio musicians for other artists.
It’s a little more than that, 3 of them were brothers, many had fathers that worked on movie soundtracks together and a few went to school together. Most of them had known, and recorded with, each other for years. Example of the heritage, Joseph Williams, his father is THAT Williams.. As in Superman, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and and and.
Four of the band members also attended Grant High School in Los Angeles together. They formed a band together in high school. It is actually 5 members who attended Grant,, but Mike Porcaro didn't join the band until after the release of TOTO IV.
@@c1ph3rpunk most of them are on the biggest selling album of all time, michael jackson's thriller! steve porcaro even wrote human nature, arguably the best song on the album.
Yep it doesnt matter how many times I've heard it before, if it comes on on the radio the volume goes up and the singing begins! It's one of the rare songs where it doesn't matter what mood I'm in when its starts playing, it's always listenable.
I was born in Africa and lived there for just under 46 years and this song captures the feeling of Africa in ways that I struggle to put into words. It is one of the songs that makes me homesick each time I hear it, yet I love playing this song as it helps me remember the connection to Africa
I've never visited the continent, but I've heard enough musical pieces from African artists, from various eras, to know that Toto's song DOES have certain elements that feels spot on - there's of course the incessant groove, but also the percussive tempered (pitch tuned but hit with sticks) instrument, and then the senses of longing, joyous and triumphant emotions that comes through in the melodies and choruses. Very "African" music sounding the more I think about it.
As a man born and having lived lived for twenty years in africa, and now after thirty five years in europe, this is the song that best brings out the never ending yearning for mamma Africa!
I usually don't have an idea if you would like a song or not, but with this one I, somehow, knew you would like it. I am happy that I was right. It's a beautiful and very unique song.
I love how you notice every single little detail in the music! And your varied almost poetic way of describing what you have heard is so nice to hear! 🙂The earlier music especially has so much creativity & detail making the songs so rich. Great analysis! 💕
My son Sean is a jazz percussionist who spent some time in a covers band named ‘Dorothy’s Dog’ (think about it….) He thoroughly enjoyed playing the music of Toto - great memories of the 80’s for me.
The first time I heard it as a teenager was from an a capella group who mashed it up with the Twelve Days of Christmas. I didn't even know it was a famous pop song until a few years later.
Toto is a supergroup. The artists had by the late 90s in one way or another made contributions to over 5000 albums and it was estimated to be over 8000 in 2020.
I can never get through this song without shedding a tear or three. This is one of those very rare pop/rock songs which I never tire of listening to. Others that spring to mind are The Eagles’ ‘Hotel California’ and Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb’.
Such a compelling song on so many levels. Invoke, not imitate. I love how you feel the lushness as I do. The textures and added instruments build and build until they slowly meld away beautifully. Hyper-awareness is a lovely way to express the quiet intensity Toto is able to convey.
My grandmother bought me the cassette in 1983 for Christmas, we were emigrating to Africa in the January. I fell in love with the Album, and the group, it's been one album I never grow tired of hearing 42 years on.
Apart from the music and your fabulous commentary, the joy I get from watching these youtubities is a kin to that you get when sharing your special hometown highlights with a visitor. Likewise many of these songs are old favourites of mine but seeing you respond and say "I like it" is truly wonderful too.
I consider "Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti" to be some of the best lyrics ever written. To read it looks clunky as hell, but to hear it, it flows so beautifully.
@ianhewitson2738 ...but it also rises in a very similar way to every other mountain (it's called "orogeny" you know - look it up). Therefore, since Olympus is another mountain (in Greece), Kilimanjaro must rise like Mount Olympus does!
I interpret that line "there's nothing a hundred men or more could ever do" as a cry follow up to "it's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you" meaning that those hundred men, or more, couldn't drag him away
I grew up in North Hollywood, with Jeff Porcaro living in a house just behind our families little apartment. We used to go swimming at my friend's house next door to Porcaro's home. Often we were pulled from the pool to listen to him and sometimes others jam. I was first introduced to Jeff when I was 7. He asked, "What do you think of the drums buddy? Do you music?" I replied... "I like Peter Criss better" 😂😂😂 Cut me a break... it was the 70's and I was 7. 😅
There is a guy somewhere on YT who found an old MIDI file of "Africa" and managed to to wire it into the system on an old Volvo station wagon so that it plays as the door adjar chime. ... That's my favorite version.
Just a great song to sing along to. First time in Africa in the military, so many of us said they had this song in their heads. Every time I have been back I end up singing it.
4:22 love love love your reaction there , crazy seeing someone hear this for the first time and appreciate the greatness of this piece as much as you ❤
Before the song started playing you seemed skeptical; after it started playing you're demeanor changed to excitement and enthusiasm. This is one of the best reactions I've ever heard. Straight to favorites 🤓😎🤗
its obviously bullshit... at her age is literally impossible that she NEVER head this on Tv or radio, this song has been used for ads, for movies, and is still put on radio nowadays once in a while. how the hell someone can avoid EVER listening to this, its not possible. Its like saying "oh i never heard any song from michael jackson" i call bullshit.
The vocal harmonies here are some of the best I’ve ever heard. Compared to the rest of the album (primarily yacht and hard rock), this song has a simple construction (standard drum groove and chord progressions), which makes the harmonies stand out. Some suggestions from Toto include: Rosanna, I Won’t Hold You Back, Hydra
These are about the greatest studio band ever (The Wrecking Crew was another) who have worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, Chicago, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, etc, etc, etc. Amazing musicians, singers and talented individuals.
The LP version has a percussion into and a fade-out with percussion and keyboard, adding perhaps 45 seconds or so to the song overall, but the song is so good, they aren't an absolute necessity. And your analysis is quite interesting; never thought of the song much beyond the song's relation to the continent. Another discovery of unguessed depths possible in a song. Thanks.
Bonjour, Il y a un moment que je suis tes vidéos et je ne m'en lasse pas 😉 Merci pour ton analyse de ce morceau de TOTO . Cela m'a fait un très grand plaisir 😊 C'est un excellent groupe (un de mes préférés)que j'ai suivi de ces débuts , jusqu'à cet album . Tu me ferais un immense plaisir pour une analyse du groupe Supertramp. Album " Crime Of The Century" excellent album 😉 Les morceaux : Crime Of The Century / If Everyme Was Listenisy / Dreamer / Hide In You Shell /Scholl . D'excellents morceaux de musique. Et Fool's Ouverture de l'album " Even In The Quiestes Moments " Merci encore pour ces moments magiques que tu nous partage sur youtube . 😃😉
Fascinating you reviewing an 80s pop song. Toto Africa has had quite an effect on me. Until recently I was disabled. Now I have my physical abilities back again I want to climb Kilimonjaro, because of this song.
Been a while since I actively listened to the original recording of this song. It's so omnipresent in the common concious... Masters at creating / crafting music, not just kids forming a band lead only by passion - they all worked as professional studio musicians before and parallel to the band. Obvious attention to details and balances of sounds, no problem of holding back but also the talent to get intense when needed. Only going by this song, would anyone guess that Steve Lukather is one of the best rock guitarists? 😅 I'm sure it's worth discovering more from them.
I love this song, and particularely the line "Hurry boy, she is waiting there for you". I have done that, running to her, as not to be late. It has always worked out, because she loves me too.
There is a (possibly apocryphal) story that David Paich went to Africa many years after the song was written, and was asked by a group of African musicians when he had visited the continent before. When he replied that this was his first journey to the continent, they were surprised that he had been able to capture their own feelings about their home so well! For me, the vocal harmonies (always a high point for the band) are the key to the song - they soar like the mountain they describe, then smooth and soothe like the plains. I've been to Kenya twice - but never outside of Mombasa. Still, Kilimanjaro was visible in the distance - and even from that far away, it is an awesome sight! Toto was formed by a group of studio musicians who developed friendships as they often ended up working together in various combinations. As might be expected, they had a wide variety of musical influences and stylistic preferences, but began playing together for fun - and ended up forming Toto. The music is commonly described as pop-rock, but I think that understates the band quite badly - their music ranges from hard rock and "arena rock" to strongly jazz-influenced (check out the instrumental "Jake To The Bone" from their "40 Tours Around the Sun" BluRay), and wrote the soundtrack to the 1984 David Lynch film "Dune" (check out "Desert Theme" from the same BluRay - also instrumental)!
Exactly! and it is intellectually dishonest for those reaction folks not to admit after first few notes (or when they pause) to admit they have heard this song or even worse pretend they're surprised etc.
Oh, absolutely! Yes, I really do hope that happens (has happened?)! Hands down, one of my favourite songs and so very moving. The first time I heard it, it stopped me. Just beautiful.
❤😊 watching your reactions as the music develops is priceless. One of my favorite pieces of music, thinking to myself, what will she think of the chorus? As tears come to my eyes....if that makes any sense.
Toto are fantastic musicians. They have been highly sought after studio musicians for years. Their guitarist, Steve Lukather, has played on some of the most iconic songs of the past 40-50 years, most famously, "Beat It", "Human Nature" and other Michael Jackson songs. It must be said that the production on this album is, absolutely, top notch.
Love your face when the chourus kicks in! It means you are not imune! There have been videos about the appeal of this chord sequence. What comes instantly to mind, starting on the minor, like Africa, is Boston - Peace of Mind, and starting on the major, but same order, The Police-So Lonely, and Adelle -Someone like You. Probably different keys but same relativety. I think Pachabel swaps one out for another minor. All very enjoyable pieces. Interesting that there has been studies on the psychology of it. Glad you liked this one, a favourite of my generation during junior high school.
I like this song, though it's being played a lot on the radio here in Germany. I like the atmosphere of the song...and once again...I like your reaction and your interpretation of this beautiful piece.
The song is perfect. You can't change any music element without degrading its quality. I am afraid any future cover of Africa will always be overshadowed by the iconic original. This is one of the very rare times immortality lasts 4:27 mins.
I love to see you falling for a song like this. Don't get me wrong, but you're still a foreigner here musically, because you were not raised on this music. While I myself do not listen to rock all of the time, lots of blues and folk and medieval music as well as "classical" make my daily diet, I am still a rock kid. My first book of poems was conceived as a rock album. I wrote a crime novel where the detectives are the kids of a nighborhood rock band, I consider myself a product of rock even when I listen to Georgian traditional songs, French chanson, sea shanties or Bach. And I always want to see people from the other side of town come and enjoy what we have, and what we grew on, our water and food: rock in all its incarnations, from celtic punk to symphonic metal, from soft Toto to hard AC/DC which, as Billy Joel would say, it's still rock and roll to me. To see you swooning to the blessings of the rain down in Africa by this amazingly talented band is a huge pleasure. It makes me feel like a kid showing off a beloved toy and seeing that the other person is really excited and appreciating it. Thanks. Oh... In 2019, in the coastal Namib Desert, Max Siedentopf, a Namibian artist, set up six speakers and a sun-powered MP3 player designed to play "Africa" by Toto "forever", as a tribute to this classic. Who knows if it's still going on!
Another one of the BEST SING ALONG SONGS !! ALWAYS been one of MY FAVORITES !!!! EVERYONE IS AGAIN GOING TO LOVE YOU FOR REVIEWING THIS SHORT MASTERPIECE !!💝💖 👍🏿👍🏽👍✌🖖🇨🇦🍁🌻💛💙🇺🇦
I never get tired of this song. It's a masterpiece.
It’s one of the greatest songs ever. There’s no fat on this song. Every second of this single is needed and you want to keep hearing it. 🫡🫡
David Paich will always have my utmost respect for singing the line, "As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti" and making it sound smooth as hell.
Yeah, well, it makes no sense at all in the context of the song.
It is a few hundred kilometres between the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro. Tsavo West National Park would be a bit more tricky to fit in lyrically.
I was just thinking the same thing 😊
@@stevenhoward3358 I propose with my tongue firmly in my cheek that it's a sneaky way of saying he's not going to "do what's right".
"I know that I must do what's right, as sure as Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is the capital of Malawi."
@@philp4684 You just made Ynys Mon blush
I HAVE been to Africa, I lived in Tanzania for 5 years. I can say that this song invokes my experience very well.
yeah a shithole
Yep, I lived in South Africa for a couple years and it evokes memories for me of the good of African places, people, and culture, yet somehow lets me overlook the bad since I lived there during Apartheid. Now 50 years later I have a yearning to return there every time I hear this song.
@larrybremer4930 ❤️
The first time I went to SA for work I got into a taxi at Jo’burg airport to go to my customer in Sandton and this was the first thing on the radio. Serendipity and now it physically evokes SA for me every time I hear it.
Some day, the world will realize the importance of Africa and it's history. I look forward to the chaos it will bring.
I was born in Africa and lived there for 27 years. Whenever I hear this song it brings back fond memories of thunderstorms in the afternoon and the smell of rain.
Yesterday around midnight we had a true highveld storm. I do not wish to contradict your memories but my recent perception of that "smell of rain" is in fact the smell of lightning raising ozone content combined with the big drop rain clearing particulate airborne matter. I humbly suggest that not all rain smells the same. Mooi Bly.
Yet somehow she has never heard this song before.
I remember the raindrops on the tin roof. Pretoria was my home for over a decade during my teenage years, met a girl, got married, started a family. Africa will always hold my heart.
Never gets old. Simply amazing. Gives me chills every time I hear that chorus kick in.
It's on the list of perfect pop songs.
It's really surprising how enjoyable this song is, no matter how many times I hear it. That's extremely rare. It just really has a joyful adventurous feeling to it.
Yes, it's very "sunny" (despite the focus on rains!). Another one like this is Don Henley's "Boys of Summer".
And then there's the Weezer version with Weird Al impersonating Rivers Cuomo.
Dito
Fun fact about Toto. They are considered the "most listened to band of all time". Namely because each of the band members, are most known for being studio musicians, who are REALLY good in their fields. And that they have worked on so many different albums, for so many famous artists, for such a long time period, that it's estimated that roughly 95% of the human population, has heard a song that a band member from Toto has played on, to some extent. That was in fact how they got together, they would see each other at the studios a lot, and were like "Hey, why don't we just make our own band?" And so they did. But yeah, most prolific musicians on the planet.
I did not know this. That is amazing. Thanks for the information.
Not true how they met...they met at high school and have been with others in a band back then called "rural still life".
Including MJ's Beat It. Lukather is a LEGEND!!!
"Toto collectively the best musicians on the planet". - Eddie Van Halen
Technically proficient i think is what he said.
@@DonaldHolben Coming from Eddie, that means you are god level.
He was right.
When you listen to the beginning and then the verses you think "oh, here's another soft rock, adult contemporary song." And then...one of the most perfect choruses you've ever heard. It can win over anyone. From a punk rocker purist to your grandmother. It's one of those incredibly rare songs that is pretty much loved by everyone.
I really like seeing Amy enjoy herself listening to music. I always appreciate the commentary and analysis, but it's even better when she's having fun.
A number of years ago I was looking to shake up my life and go on an extended trip. I narrowed my choices down to three places when this song came on the radio. Moshi, Tanzania was one of my choices and this song was the decider. 17 years later, I am still in Tanzania, with a great view of Kilimanjaro from my house (whenever the clouds give their permission). For me, it was and still is the right choice. Needless to say, this song holds a special place in my heart.
Wow it amazes me how she can recall certain aspects of the music after a brief listening.
She said "What gets to me most is when the voice and the brass converge and theres this wonderful crush"
I have heard this song hundreds of times over the years and never noticed such fine details as that.
I am fascinated at her interpretation of the music I have listened to all my life.
Because she knows the song already
Tbh I live for this stuff and it’s why I love listening to people reacting to my favorite music. While I tend to favor those who react to video game music (I need validation for loving such oft overlooked music tbh), this type of stuff is cool too imo.
How can anyone have NEVER heard this song? It baffles my mind. It's wonderful to see a first reaction!
Hey, there are people that have never seen the Wizard of Oz.
@@jordanparker5949 isn't that crazy?
I was born in (Rhodesia) Zimbabwe, I have lived and worked all over the world - mainly Asia and Arabia. This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Maybe I am homesick.
I was born in the other the other Rhodesia starting with a Z..... Zambia. Greetings fellow Scatterling of Africa.
Mate, I've never even been close to Africa, but I have the same reaction. I was in radio when this album came out, and Rosanna was the first hit. But I could not stop listening to this beautiful song. This is the hit for me.
So, rhodesians never dies?
Rhodesians never die
Can’t believe you’ve never heard it before but i loved your reaction!
Great song from Toto. Loved your thoughtful reaction to this pop masterpiece.
One of my absolute favourites of all time.
The members of Toto are excellent musicians. They actually formed as a group because they kept running into each other in the same circles as studio musicians for other artists.
It’s a little more than that, 3 of them were brothers, many had fathers that worked on movie soundtracks together and a few went to school together. Most of them had known, and recorded with, each other for years.
Example of the heritage, Joseph Williams, his father is THAT Williams.. As in Superman, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and and and.
Many of Toto worked on the Boz Scaggs album, Silk Degrees. If you listen to it, it will become obvious.
Four of the band members also attended Grant High School in Los Angeles together.
They formed a band together in high school.
It is actually 5 members who attended Grant,, but Mike Porcaro didn't join the band until after the release of TOTO IV.
@@c1ph3rpunk most of them are on the biggest selling album of all time, michael jackson's thriller! steve porcaro even wrote human nature, arguably the best song on the album.
It's an almost perfect pop song. It ticks a lot of boxes. It had wall-to-wall airplay and somehow never became jaded.
Yep it doesnt matter how many times I've heard it before, if it comes on on the radio the volume goes up and the singing begins! It's one of the rare songs where it doesn't matter what mood I'm in when its starts playing, it's always listenable.
I was born in Africa and lived there for just under 46 years and this song captures the feeling of Africa in ways that I struggle to put into words. It is one of the songs that makes me homesick each time I hear it, yet I love playing this song as it helps me remember the connection to Africa
I've never visited the continent, but I've heard enough musical pieces from African artists, from various eras, to know that Toto's song DOES have certain elements that feels spot on - there's of course the incessant groove, but also the percussive tempered (pitch tuned but hit with sticks) instrument, and then the senses of longing, joyous and triumphant emotions that comes through in the melodies and choruses. Very "African" music sounding the more I think about it.
so catchy....ear candy!
As a man born and having lived lived for twenty years in africa, and now after thirty five years in europe, this is the song that best brings out the never ending yearning for mamma Africa!
I usually don't have an idea if you would like a song or not, but with this one I, somehow, knew you would like it. I am happy that I was right. It's a beautiful and very unique song.
The way the harmonies build in the chorus is as beautiful as the Mona Lisa.
My fave Toto song will always be "I'll Be Over You". One of the most perfect songs ever written!
Always love your reactions as they are so spontaneous and thoughtful. Africa is a great song that stands the test of time.
I love how you notice every single little detail in the music! And your varied almost poetic way of describing what you have heard is so nice to hear! 🙂The earlier music especially has so much creativity & detail making the songs so rich. Great analysis! 💕
There is zero chance that anyone over 30 has never heard this song.
"Rosanna" should be the next song *shuffles*.
While I love the Purdie Shuffle, Toto has so many gems: 99, Georgie Porgie, St George and the Dragon, Without your Love.... the list is endless.
And then "Take my hand". One of they best, and so underrated.
Start with track 1 of their 1st album: Child’s Anthem. It’s often their opener live, was the standard one until Jeff Porcaro left us.
Don't forget about Human Nature written by Toto members and performed by Michael Jackson.
@@c1ph3rpunk Great start. And then carry on with all the other songs on all the other albums as well :)
I know a lot of viewers, myself included, have heard this hundreds of times. Such a joy to see your reaction hearing it for the first time.
i call bullshit that a person of her age Neven read of this. literally impossible, unless she never turned on a radio or a Tv in 40 years.
My son Sean is a jazz percussionist who spent some time in a covers band named ‘Dorothy’s Dog’ (think about it….) He thoroughly enjoyed playing the music of Toto - great memories of the 80’s for me.
One of the catchiest melodies in the history of rock. What a privilege it would be to be a virgin of this sound.
The first time I heard it as a teenager was from an a capella group who mashed it up with the Twelve Days of Christmas. I didn't even know it was a famous pop song until a few years later.
Toto is a supergroup. The artists had by the late 90s in one way or another made contributions to over 5000 albums and it was estimated to be over 8000 in 2020.
I love your descriptions. It's not easy to translate music to words!
I can never get through this song without shedding a tear or three. This is one of those very rare pop/rock songs which I never tire of listening to. Others that spring to mind are The Eagles’ ‘Hotel California’ and Pink Floyd’s ‘Comfortably Numb’.
Such a compelling song on so many levels. Invoke, not imitate. I love how you feel the lushness as I do. The textures and added instruments build and build until they slowly meld away beautifully. Hyper-awareness is a lovely way to express the quiet intensity Toto is able to convey.
My grandmother bought me the cassette in 1983 for Christmas, we were emigrating to Africa in the January. I fell in love with the Album, and the group, it's been one album I never grow tired of hearing 42 years on.
Apart from the music and your fabulous commentary, the joy I get from watching these youtubities is a kin to that you get when sharing your special hometown highlights with a visitor. Likewise many of these songs are old favourites of mine but seeing you respond and say "I like it" is truly wonderful too.
Music is life. Love your channel .
I truly enjoyed your reaction. How refreshing to hear the perspective of a classical musician. It is evident you know of what you speak. Bravo ! 👏
I’m not a musician, but I’ve always thought this song was sonic perfection.
I don't understand why, but the chorus of this song always makes me cry.
I consider "Sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti" to be some of the best lyrics ever written. To read it looks clunky as hell, but to hear it, it flows so beautifully.
Prolly took him some time to get the cadence right on those lyrics
I am not sure why, but this phraes was the first that stook in my head when i first heard this song as a kid. Somehow it sparked my imagination.
Of course, in real life, Mount Kilimanjaro is too far away from the Plains of Serengeti to actually be seen from there! 🌍
But it's complete nonsense! Kilimanjaro rises like .....Kilimanjaro!
@ianhewitson2738 ...but it also rises in a very similar way to every other mountain (it's called "orogeny" you know - look it up). Therefore, since Olympus is another mountain (in Greece), Kilimanjaro must rise like Mount Olympus does!
Amazing song and I could see the genuine joy in your reaction.
My favourite "Pop song" of all time! A big smile appears on my face whenever the first notes of this song plays!
Your reaction was beautiful to watch. Ty for your contribution
African here. The staccato pentatonic bits after the main riff, sounds to me like it's played by a kalimba.
I interpret that line "there's nothing a hundred men or more could ever do" as a cry follow up to "it's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you" meaning that those hundred men, or more, couldn't drag him away
I thought that was obvious.
From their very first album in 1977, "Hold the Line" stands out for its ecxeptional rock sound. I wish you made a video with this song too !
Love Is Like Oxygen was done by Sweet. Another good song from Toto's debut is "I'll Supply The Love".
Next up.....Rosanna....with its famously complex triplet over 4/4 drum pattern. Another beautiful song.
I grew up in North Hollywood, with Jeff Porcaro living in a house just behind our families little apartment. We used to go swimming at my friend's house next door to Porcaro's home. Often we were pulled from the pool to listen to him and sometimes others jam. I was first introduced to Jeff when I was 7. He asked, "What do you think of the drums buddy? Do you music?" I replied...
"I like Peter Criss better" 😂😂😂
Cut me a break... it was the 70's and I was 7. 😅
The verse theme is so beautiful in this song!
There is a guy somewhere on YT who found an old MIDI file of "Africa" and managed to to wire it into the system on an old Volvo station wagon so that it plays as the door adjar chime.
...
That's my favorite version.
Just a great song to sing along to.
First time in Africa in the military, so many of us said they had this song in their heads.
Every time I have been back I end up singing it.
4:22 love love love your reaction there , crazy seeing someone hear this for the first time and appreciate the greatness of this piece as much as you ❤
Toto are just great musicians, they wrote some epic pieces of music, hold the line, Rosanna, I'll be iver you are some must listen.
Before the song started playing you seemed skeptical; after it started playing you're demeanor changed to excitement and enthusiasm. This is one of the best reactions I've ever heard. Straight to favorites 🤓😎🤗
How can anybody live without knowing Toto!!
its obviously bullshit... at her age is literally impossible that she NEVER head this on Tv or radio, this song has been used for ads, for movies, and is still put on radio nowadays once in a while. how the hell someone can avoid EVER listening to this, its not possible.
Its like saying "oh i never heard any song from michael jackson" i call bullshit.
este tema es espectaculaaar!! gracias por el recuerdo y escucha!
Timeless classic that never gets old.
The vocal harmonies here are some of the best I’ve ever heard. Compared to the rest of the album (primarily yacht and hard rock), this song has a simple construction (standard drum groove and chord progressions), which makes the harmonies stand out.
Some suggestions from Toto include: Rosanna, I Won’t Hold You Back, Hydra
These are about the greatest studio band ever (The Wrecking Crew was another) who have worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, Chicago, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, etc, etc, etc.
Amazing musicians, singers and talented individuals.
Umm, I think Beatles 1966-70 are clearly the greatest studio band ever.
@@nicholasschneider6655 - Umm, I don't think you understand what a studio band is.
Africa is such a fantastic song. One of the many songs I could listen to in loop when I was younger and I still love it!
The LP version has a percussion into and a fade-out with percussion and keyboard, adding perhaps 45 seconds or so to the song overall, but the song is so good, they aren't an absolute necessity. And your analysis is quite interesting; never thought of the song much beyond the song's relation to the continent. Another discovery of unguessed depths possible in a song. Thanks.
One of my all time favourites. I really liked your analisys. Thank you.
Bonjour,
Il y a un moment que je suis tes vidéos et je ne m'en lasse pas 😉
Merci pour ton analyse de ce morceau de TOTO . Cela m'a fait un très grand plaisir 😊
C'est un excellent groupe (un de mes préférés)que j'ai suivi de ces débuts , jusqu'à cet album .
Tu me ferais un immense plaisir pour une analyse du groupe Supertramp.
Album " Crime Of The Century" excellent album 😉
Les morceaux : Crime Of The Century / If Everyme Was Listenisy / Dreamer / Hide In You Shell /Scholl . D'excellents morceaux de musique.
Et Fool's Ouverture de l'album " Even In The Quiestes Moments "
Merci encore pour ces moments magiques que tu nous partage sur youtube . 😃😉
Toto is an amalgam of THE best studio musicians of the time
RIP Jeff Porcaro
@@tegrenathand Mike Porcaro
It's just a beautifully melodic piece of pop music. The counter-melodies going on, the verse melody, the soaring chorus, it's just wonderful.
Fascinating you reviewing an 80s pop song.
Toto Africa has had quite an effect on me. Until recently I was disabled. Now I have my physical abilities back again I want to climb Kilimonjaro, because of this song.
Been a while since I actively listened to the original recording of this song. It's so omnipresent in the common concious...
Masters at creating / crafting music, not just kids forming a band lead only by passion - they all worked as professional studio musicians before and parallel to the band.
Obvious attention to details and balances of sounds, no problem of holding back but also the talent to get intense when needed.
Only going by this song, would anyone guess that Steve Lukather is one of the best rock guitarists? 😅
I'm sure it's worth discovering more from them.
I love this song, and particularely the line "Hurry boy, she is waiting there for you". I have done that, running to her, as not to be late. It has always worked out, because she loves me too.
This is such a beautiful piece.
There is a (possibly apocryphal) story that David Paich went to Africa many years after the song was written, and was asked by a group of African musicians when he had visited the continent before. When he replied that this was his first journey to the continent, they were surprised that he had been able to capture their own feelings about their home so well!
For me, the vocal harmonies (always a high point for the band) are the key to the song - they soar like the mountain they describe, then smooth and soothe like the plains. I've been to Kenya twice - but never outside of Mombasa. Still, Kilimanjaro was visible in the distance - and even from that far away, it is an awesome sight!
Toto was formed by a group of studio musicians who developed friendships as they often ended up working together in various combinations. As might be expected, they had a wide variety of musical influences and stylistic preferences, but began playing together for fun - and ended up forming Toto. The music is commonly described as pop-rock, but I think that understates the band quite badly - their music ranges from hard rock and "arena rock" to strongly jazz-influenced (check out the instrumental "Jake To The Bone" from their "40 Tours Around the Sun" BluRay), and wrote the soundtrack to the 1984 David Lynch film "Dune" (check out "Desert Theme" from the same BluRay - also instrumental)!
i cant believe anyone over the age of 5 hasn't heard this song. it is everywhere.
Exactly! and it is intellectually dishonest for those reaction folks not to admit after first few notes (or when they pause) to admit they have heard this song or even worse pretend they're surprised etc.
@@hicnar people have different upbringings though
I’m dying to hear what Amy thinks of “Wichita Lineman”
Oh, absolutely! Yes, I really do hope that happens (has happened?)! Hands down, one of my favourite songs and so very moving. The first time I heard it, it stopped me. Just beautiful.
❤😊 watching your reactions as the music develops is priceless. One of my favorite pieces of music, thinking to myself, what will she think of the chorus? As tears come to my eyes....if that makes any sense.
I discover more about this song with every listen - thank you 🙏🏽
I love your interpretation, and even though I am not musically inclined, i would agree.
Love your videos! You get an excellent variety. ❤
“Africa “ had become a favorite for choral groups. There are several , possibly many, v.good videos that I have enjoyed .
I don't believe anyone can be as old as you are and not have heard this song before...
Yeah, I agree - I think she is full of it !!!!!!!!!!! I mean really full of it.......
I love the instrumentation and musical arrangement of 80s pop music.
A lot more key changes and suspended/extended chords than what we get today, but that’s slowly turning around!
Toto musicians pre-Toto - Lowdown by Boz Scaggs. You should try that one.
I love the analogy between being in love with a person and a place. Everything about them is a blessing and a revelation ❤.
Toto is an amazing band, Africa is one of my favorite songs of the 80s, it just never gets old.
This song is great... It is a story that is told through song. Close your eyes and you can see what is happening through the music and the lyrics.
Toto are fantastic musicians. They have been highly sought after studio musicians for years. Their guitarist, Steve Lukather, has played on some of the most iconic songs of the past 40-50 years, most famously, "Beat It", "Human Nature" and other Michael Jackson songs. It must be said that the production on this album is, absolutely, top notch.
The flute sound is from a synthesizer, I have always loved the crystal clear sound that can be made with one.
Love your face when the chourus kicks in! It means you are not imune! There have been videos about the appeal of this chord sequence.
What comes instantly to mind, starting on the minor, like Africa, is Boston - Peace of Mind, and starting on the major, but same order, The Police-So Lonely, and Adelle -Someone like You. Probably different keys but same relativety. I think Pachabel swaps one out for another minor. All very enjoyable pieces. Interesting that there has been studies on the psychology of it. Glad you liked this one, a favourite of my generation during junior high school.
Don't forget: they are GREAT musicians.
I've taught in Africa over two dozen times, and all the African students (collectively from over 30 countries) really like the song.
Some wonderful Acapella versions
I like this song, though it's being played a lot on the radio here in Germany. I like the atmosphere of the song...and once again...I like your reaction and your interpretation of this beautiful piece.
The song is perfect. You can't change any music element without degrading its quality.
I am afraid any future cover of Africa will always be overshadowed by the iconic original.
This is one of the very rare times immortality lasts 4:27 mins.
I was working in South Africa when this came out. To this day it evokes those times.
I love to see you falling for a song like this. Don't get me wrong, but you're still a foreigner here musically, because you were not raised on this music. While I myself do not listen to rock all of the time, lots of blues and folk and medieval music as well as "classical" make my daily diet, I am still a rock kid. My first book of poems was conceived as a rock album. I wrote a crime novel where the detectives are the kids of a nighborhood rock band, I consider myself a product of rock even when I listen to Georgian traditional songs, French chanson, sea shanties or Bach. And I always want to see people from the other side of town come and enjoy what we have, and what we grew on, our water and food: rock in all its incarnations, from celtic punk to symphonic metal, from soft Toto to hard AC/DC which, as Billy Joel would say, it's still rock and roll to me. To see you swooning to the blessings of the rain down in Africa by this amazingly talented band is a huge pleasure. It makes me feel like a kid showing off a beloved toy and seeing that the other person is really excited and appreciating it. Thanks.
Oh... In 2019, in the coastal Namib Desert, Max Siedentopf, a Namibian artist, set up six speakers and a sun-powered MP3 player designed to play "Africa" by Toto "forever", as a tribute to this classic. Who knows if it's still going on!
Another one of the BEST SING ALONG SONGS !! ALWAYS been one of MY FAVORITES !!!! EVERYONE IS AGAIN GOING TO LOVE YOU FOR REVIEWING THIS SHORT MASTERPIECE !!💝💖 👍🏿👍🏽👍✌🖖🇨🇦🍁🌻💛💙🇺🇦
I'm not a big fan of Toto, but I really appreciate the musicianship of his members. They're top session musicians!