Skip to main content

4 Toto Songs That Sound Like the Beatles

                              

     One of their biggest influences.

Toto came out with their first self-titled album in 1978. Their first 4 albums were with singer Bobby Kimball and bassist David Hungate. After the fourth album, Toto IV, these two original bandmates left Toto.

During these early years (1978–1984), Toto sounded more like the Beatles in some of their songs. They had a British feel to their music, especially, with their first two albums, Toto and Hydra.

Here are the four songs I think sound the most like the Beatles from these first 4 albums:

  1. “Rockmaker” (Toto) singer/songwriter David Paich

2. “Manuela Run” (Toto) singer/songwriter David Paich

3. “Lorraine” (Hydra) singer/songwriter David Paich

4. “St. George and the Dragon” (Hydra), singer Bobby Kimball, songwriter David Paich

Summary

These are also four of my favorite Toto songs. Interestingly, none of these became big hits. They did make a music video for “St. George and the Dragon”.

You can also hear some of the influences of British singer/songwriter Elton John in these songs, one of Paich’s biggest influences.

David Paich is the songwriter of most of Toto’s songs, including the number one single “Africa” from Toto IV.

He wrote all four of these tunes and was the lead singer in three of the four. Lead vocalist Bobby Kimball, guitarist Steve Lukather, and keyboardist Steve Porcaro helped with backup vocals and probably all the members helped David write and compose the songs.

Not only do these songs sound British, but they also sound like the Beatles with their pop rhythms and melodic harmonies.

Toto is the most versatile band ever, even the best musical band of all time. Their ability to blend different styles, compose complex sounds, execute with studio recording precision, use different lead vocalists, and adapt to the changing times and bandmates is unparalleled in music history.

These four songs not only sound like the Beatles and Elton John, they’re also the most underrated songs of Toto’s early years.

Nearly every song on their first two albums should have been number-one hits, yet only “Hold the Line” made it to the top 10 on the American charts.

I included the live version and studio version for the first two. The second two are the studio versions with “St. George and the Dragon” having a music video.

Hope you enjoy these songs, let me know what you think, are there more songs that sound like the Beatles? Do you agree these sound like their musical heroes, the Beatles and Elton John?

If you’d like to support my writing, click here.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Writing articles on LinkedIn vs. Medium

For those of us who believe our writing is a reflection of our values and a unique expression of our souls, finding the right platform to write on is important. Of course, there are practical aspects we must consider as well, depending on the purpose and reason for the words, etc. In this respect, I want to explore the idea of writing on LinkedIn vs. Medium. For non-robot people who actually take the time to write from their hearts instead of using AI to create some “content.” AI writers may create content, but they are not writers; they are just using words (however manifested) to essentially get attention and make money. Medium is a very clean and user friendly platform for writers, and the possibility of making money there with their partner program sounds great, especially, considering the popularity of the site. Yet, I’ve found through much effort, Medium is simply an illusion for 99% of the writers that find their way there, paying their monthly dues. See, you have to now pay Med...

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:6-12 (KJV) Have you ever wondered what people are living for each day, when we are among others in the city, shopping, eating, driving around? How many of them are content with what they have, how many of them are interested in the truth of life and this world? How many are just living simply to fulfill their lusts and vain desires? Well, these scriptures in 1 Timothy really hit the nail on the head when it comes to the nature of mankind. Let’s look at the full passage: 1 Timothy 6: 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 Having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrow...

6 Tips for Setting Up Community Gardens in HOA Neighborhoods

In the modern digital age we're living in, setting up a community garden may be exactly what HOA neighborhoods need to get their members off their digital devices and back to nature a bit. Community gardens promote positive relationships within neighborhoods , provide healthy activities for people of all ages, and if done well produce a good amount of healthy food. In an effort to help planners get their thoughts aligned, here are 6 tips for setting up community gardens in HOA neighborhoods. Gain and Gauge Support from Homeowners Board members and homeowners interested in starting a community garden should start by gauging the support for the idea with community members. Planners can gain and gauge support with methods such as: surveys emails text messages phone calls flyers word of mouth announcements at board meetings articles fundraiser events  The main idea is to see how much support there is for such an idea; just keep in mind that some people may get excited...

10 Famous Movies Filmed in Oregon Part 2

It shouldn’t be too surprising that Oregon with its amazing scenery and diverse natural landscape has been used to make movies for the big screen. Still, with such a relatively small population it is somewhat amazing how many movies have been filmed here over the years. After naming 10 movies in part one , it became apparent there needed to be a part two, as these are just as famous, so here goes from oldest to newest. 1. Paint Your Wagon (1969): Having Clint Eastwood star in a musical isn’t likely, but he did star in this American Western musical in the late 60s and even did his own singing. The film also stars Lee Marvin and Jean Seberg and was directed by Joshua Logan. Most of the movie production happened near Baker City, Oregon, a small city in Eastern Oregon with around 10k residents and at 3451 ft. elevation. The plot centers around a mining camp in the California Golf Rush era in the mid-1800s. 2. Five Easy Pieces (1970): Starring Jack Nicholson, this early 70s drama was filme...