3 Toto Songs To Crank When You’re Feeling Like Yacht Rock

The Laurel Canyon counterculture of the late 1960s and ’70s made its way to the mainstream through artists like the Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Carole King, James Taylor, and many others.

But another West Coast movement happened as the ’70s progressed. A collection of studio musicians unknowingly created a new sound by combining high-level musicianship with pop songwriting. This new sound—with its polished production and smooth melodies—became retroactively and derisively known as “yacht rock.”

Michael McDonald was there singing background vocals. As the decade ended, Christopher Cross released his self-titled debut with the hits “Ride Like the Wind” and “Sailing.” Steely Dan remains a reluctant (and debatable) member of this club, and then there’s Toto.

This list glimpses three Toto songs to crank when you’re feeling yachty.

“Africa” from Toto IV (1982)

When David Paich sings the verses, you hear him yearning for something—a place, a destination, or, as he says, salvation. Africa may be a metaphor for an alienated rock star looking for connection. It’s unknown to the singer. He doesn’t have an inkling of this vast, populous continent with deep human roots. Or, interpretation is useless here, as the lyrics in many pop songs don’t really matter. Bobby Kimball takes the mic for the soaring chorus with a hook so undeniable it erases any manner of corniness the song might possess.

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

“Rosanna” from Toto IV (1982)

Jeff Porcaro opens this tune with a technical shuffle. His drumming is clean and precise. This isn’t the sweaty and guttural groove of John Bonham, and hearing it solo shows the virtuosic penchants beneath these yacht rock legends. Many rock bands have multiple guitarists and singers. But Toto gives you something different. Steve Porcaro and David Paich both rock the keys—and if you like synthesizers, this track is for you. Yes, Steve Lukather busts some sharp power chords and Sunset Strip guitar licks, but the jazz-rock instrumental breaks are loaded with glossy synths. This yacht better have decent speakers because “Rosanna” requires maximum volume.

(Also, don’t sleep on Weezer’s cover of “Rosanna.”)

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 would ever care for me
Rosanna

“Hold the Line” from Toto (1978)

Toto’s debut single introduced the band with an arena-rock song that reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Paich’s piano riff drives the song, but Jeff Porcaro didn’t record a standard rock beat. Instead, he referenced Sly and the Family Stone, which gives “Hold the Line” its triplet groove. Lukather’s earsplitting guitar foreshadows his later playing on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” Professional studio musicians don’t always make great songwriters. In Nashville, the two often play separate roles on recordings. However, Toto layered sophisticated genres and musical complexity and presented them as straightforward pop songs.

Hold the line
Love isn’t always on time

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