Toto IV
Studio album by
Toto
ReleasedMarch 26, 1982[1]
RecordedOctober 1981 – January 1982[2]
Studio
Genre
Length42:17
LabelColumbia
ProducerToto
Toto chronology
Turn Back
(1981) 		Toto IV
(1982) 		Isolation
(1984)
Singles from Toto IV
  1. "Rosanna"
    Released: March 31, 1982 (US)[3]
  2. "Africa"
    Released: June 25, 1982 (UK)[4]
  3. "Make Believe"
    Released: July 1982 (US)
  4. "Afraid of Love"
    Released: 1982 (Japan)[5]
  5. "I Won't Hold You Back"
    Released: March 1983 (US)
  6. "Waiting for Your Love"
    Released: June 1983 (US)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
Robert ChristgauB−[7]
Rolling Stone[8]

Toto IV is the fourth studio album by American rock band Toto, released in March 1982 by Columbia Records.

The lead single, "Rosanna", peaked at number 2 for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, while the album's third single, "Africa", topping the Hot 100 chart, became the group's first and only number 1 hit.[9] Both songs were hits in the UK as well, reaching number 12 and 3, respectively.[10] The fourth single, "I Won't Hold You Back", also peaked within the top ten on the Hot 100, at number 10, but atop the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts for three weeks.[9] It also went into the top 40 in the UK.[10] With the success of "Africa", the album climbed back into the top 10 in early 1983 on both sides of the Atlantic.

Toto IV received three Grammy Awards in 1983 including Album of the Year, Producer of the Year for the band, and Record of the Year for "Rosanna". It reached number four on the Billboard 200 album charts in the United States, shortly after its release. It also reached the top ten in other countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Japan. It was also the last Toto album to feature their original bassist David Hungate until his return in 2014 (with the release of their 2015 album Toto XIV) when he was replaced by Mike Porcaro after the band’s recording of the album, and also the final album to feature original lead vocalist Bobby Kimball until his comeback in 1998 (with the release of the 1999 album Mindfields).

Background

After the success of their self-titled debut, Toto struggled to sustain success on their next two albums, Hydra and Turn Back. The band was under heavy pressure from Columbia Records to deliver a hit album with their next release or be at risk of being dropped from the label.

The band went back to the formula that helped them succeed on their first album, having an album that touched on many different genres of music. They also utilized many outside musicians to help give the sound a more polished, fuller feel than they had on past albums.

This was the final album with the original Toto lineup. David Hungate, who moved to Nashville during the recording of the album, left the band to spend more time with his family. Two years later, prior to beginning recording of their follow-up album, Bobby Kimball was fired by the band due to drug issues that were damaging his voice.

The band delayed touring after the release of the album to instead help in the production of Michael Jackson's Thriller album, as well as collaborating on Chicago's comeback album Chicago 16 that same year.

Production

The recording took many months during 1981 and 1982 and the band was allowed a much larger than average recording budget. At a time when most bands were using a single 24-track recorder Toto used as many as 3 separate 24-track recorders at the same time.[11]

The 24-track recorders were linked with a computerized SMPTE timecode system. One track of each machine contained the time code synchronization signal while the remaining 23 tracks of each machine were available to record sound. It should also be noted though that a significant number of these tracks were copied and mixed down from musical parts already recorded on another synchronized reel of tape. This was done to reduce the amount of wear on the first generation tapes. It also helped to maintain high quality sound during the extensive overdubbing and mixing process.[11]

Cover art

Philip Garris's original emblem from the Toto album was updated to show four rings since this was their fourth album. The newer looking, well-polished ring around the hilt of the sword represented their latest work. Each successive ring showed a little more wear and a few more chips which represented the band's previous records.[12]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Rosanna"David PaichSteve Lukather (verse A section), Bobby Kimball (verse B section)5:31
2."Make Believe"PaichKimball3:43
3."I Won't Hold You Back"LukatherLukather4:53
4."Good for You"
  • Kimball
  • Lukather
Kimball3:17
5."It's a Feeling"Steve PorcaroS. Porcaro3:05
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
6."Afraid of Love"
Lukather3:52
7."Lovers in the Night"PaichPaich4:25
8."We Made It"
  • Paich
  • J. Porcaro
Kimball3:56
9."Waiting for Your Love"
  • Kimball
  • Paich
Kimball4:12
10."Africa"
  • Paich
  • J. Porcaro
Paich (verse), Kimball (chorus)4:55
Total length:42:17

Personnel

Adapted from album's liner notes.[13]

Toto

Additional personnel

Production

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications for Toto IV
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[36] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[37] Gold 10,000‡
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[38] Gold 34,179[38]
France (SNEP)[39] Platinum 300,000*
Germany (BVMI)[40] Platinum 500,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[41] Gold 10,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[19] Platinum 346,520[19]
Netherlands (NVPI)[42] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[43] Gold 7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[45] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "RIAA certifications for Toto". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 2022-08-22. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  2. ^ Lukather, Steve (2019). The Gospel according to Luke (1st ed.). Post Hill Press. p. 110. ISBN 978-1-64293-285-0.
  3. ^ "RIAA certifications". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 2022-08-22. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  4. ^ "Africa discography". Archived from the original on 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
  5. ^ "Toto singles".
  6. ^ William Ruhlmann. "Toto IV - Toto - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2010-12-23. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  7. ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Toto". robertchristgau.com. Archived from the original on 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. ^ "Rolling Stone review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2007-11-18. Retrieved 2007-11-18.((cite magazine)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. ^ a b Toto USA chart history, Billboard.com. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  10. ^ a b Toto UK chart history Archived 2013-03-13 at the Wayback Machine, The Official Charts. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Classic Tracks: Toto's "Africa" Archived 2015-07-01 at the Wayback Machine, Mix Online. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  12. ^ "Jeff Porcaro Interview about Toto's Sword". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  13. ^ Toto IV (booklet). Columbia. 1982.
  14. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  15. ^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc (1982-03-26). Billboard.com - Hits of the World. Archived from the original on 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2012-01-29. ((cite book)): |last1= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ Hung Medien. "dutchcharts.nl Toto – IV". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Archived from the original (ASP) on 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  17. ^ "InfoDisc : Tous les Albums classés par Artiste > Choisir Un Artiste Dans la Liste" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original (PHP) on 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  18. ^ "offiziellecharts.de - Toto IV" (ASP) (in German). Media Control. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  19. ^ a b c Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  20. ^ "charts.nz Toto – IV" (ASP). Hung Medien. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  21. ^ "norwegiancharts.com Toto – IV". Hung Medien. VG-lista. Archived from the original (ASP) on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  22. ^ "swedishcharts.com Toto – IV" (ASP) (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  23. ^ "The Official Charts Company - Toto – IV" (PHP). UK Albums Chart. Archived from the original on 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  24. ^ "allmusic ((( Toto IV > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". allmusic.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  25. ^ "Top 100 Albums '82". RPM. 1982-12-25. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  26. ^ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1982" (in Dutch). Dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  27. ^ "Les Albums (CD) de 1982 par InfoDisc" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original (PHP) on 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  28. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. 1982. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  29. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1982 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  30. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1982". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  31. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1983". RPM. Archived from the original on 2012-07-24. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  32. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. 1983. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  33. ^ "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on 2012-05-19. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  34. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1983". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  35. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  36. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Toto – IV". Music Canada. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  37. ^ "Danish album certifications – Toto – IV". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  38. ^ a b "Toto" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  39. ^ "French album certifications – Toto – IV" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  40. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Toto; 'IV')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  41. ^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1984". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  42. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Toto – IV" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved September 3, 2011. Enter IV in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  43. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Toto – Toto IV". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  44. ^ "British album certifications – Toto – IV". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  45. ^ "American album certifications – Toto – IV". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
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