Africa
by TOTO
What is “Africa” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “Africa” by TOTO is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
TOTO's 'Africa' is a nostalgic song blending a deep yearning for an idealized place with a personal narrative of love and commitment. The chorus emphasizes emotional bonds that cannot be broken by any external force.
So… what’s this song really about?
TOTO's iconic track 'Africa' combines wistful longing with a hauntingly beautiful melody to express deep feelings of nostalgia and connection to Africa, a place portrayed as mystical and nearly otherworldly. The repeated line, 'I bless the rains down in Africa,' suggests not just a physical appreciation for the land's natural elements, but perhaps a spiritual healing or rebirth associated with it. The song conflicts sentiments of attachment and the transformative power of love against an almost unreachable, idyllic setting. It connects the personal with the continental, weaving a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive. The emotional depths explored in the lyrics, coupled with the sweeping, dynamic instrumental sections, evoke feelings of both adventure and introspection, suggesting a journey that is as much internal as it is geographical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What year was 'Africa' by TOTO released?
TOTO released 'Africa' in 1982.
Q: Who wrote the song 'Africa'?
David Paich and Jeff Porcaro of TOTO wrote the song 'Africa'.
Lyrics to “Africa”
188 ContributorsTranslations
[Chorus: Bobby Kimball]
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothin' 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
Ooh, ooh
[Instrumental Break]
[Bridge: David Paich & Bobby Kimball]
"Hurry, boy, she's waiting there for you"
[Chorus: Bobby Kimball]
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothin' that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa (I bless the rains)
I bless the rains down in Africa (I bless the rains)
I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa (I'm gonna take the time)
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Ooh, ooh
[Instrumental Outro]