Africa (Toto song)

"Africa" is a 1982 song by the American rock band Toto, released from the album *Toto IV*.

"Africa" is a 1982 song by the American rock band Toto, released from the album *Toto IV*. Written by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro, it became one of the band’s best-known singles and later gained renewed popularity online. The song is also notable for its 1983 music video and for reaching one billion views on YouTube in 2024.

Background and release

"Africa" appeared on *Toto IV* and was issued as a single in 1982. Sources differ on the exact single release dates in Europe and the United States, but they agree that it was released in both markets that year.

Composition and songwriting

The song was written by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro and produced by Toto. It is generally identified as a rock song and is listed at 4:58 in length.

Music video

The 1983 video, directed by Steve Barron, shows Toto performing in a library and includes imagery associated with African culture. The video passed one billion YouTube views in 2024.

Reception and legacy

"Africa" became one of Toto’s best-known songs and continued to attract attention decades after its release. Its renewed online popularity helped introduce the track to new audiences.