This classic from 1981 has stood the test of time and is still fresh and catchy today, 43 years later. Recently heard it on a TV advert which has got me listening to it all over again.
Here's the official video with good quality audio from the official Toto channel:
For the pedants among us who balked at my 1981 and 43 year old claim, (2025-1981 =/= 43) it was recorded in June 1981 and released in 1982, so, yes, the song is 43 years old, almost 44 at the time of writing.
en.wikipedia.org
Lyrics
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1: David Paich]
I hear the drums echoin' tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She's comin' in, 12:30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hopin' to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say
"Hurry, boy, it's waitin' 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
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Ooh, ooh
[Verse 2: David Paich]
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what's right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what's deep inside
Frightened of this thing that I've become
[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]
Here's the official video with good quality audio from the official Toto channel:
For the pedants among us who balked at my 1981 and 43 year old claim, (2025-1981 =/= 43) it was recorded in June 1981 and released in 1982, so, yes, the song is 43 years old, almost 44 at the time of writing.
Africa (Toto song) - Wikipedia
Lyrics
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1: David Paich]
I hear the drums echoin' tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She's comin' in, 12:30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hopin' to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say
"Hurry, boy, it's waitin' 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
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Ooh, ooh
[Verse 2: David Paich]
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what's right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what's deep inside
Frightened of this thing that I've become
[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]
