Songoftheday 9/21/12 - I hear the drums echoing tonight, but she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation...

Toto - "Africa"
from the album Toto IV (1982)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1 (one week)
Weeks in the top-40: 16

Today's Song of the Day is by pop/rock band Toto, who had their biggest album ever with their fourth set, released in 1982. The first single, "Rosanna", had gone to #2, while the followup, "Make Believe", also made the top-40. "Africa" was released at the third radio single, and according to co-writer David Paich, it was inspired by a documentary on atrocities in that continent, but instead of writing a "We Are The World", he and bandmate Steve Porcaro wrote a percussion-filled ode to a woman as well as a continent...

"Africa", with its intricate instrumentation and rhythm, went up the pop chart in America to #1, their one and only chart topping hit, as well as going top-5 on the adult-contemporary chart. The song also was #1 in Canada, and #3 in the UK. Also, because of the popularity of the song, their Toto IV album went back into the top 10 albums.

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In 1999 rapper Nas sampled the record for his track "New World" in 1999...