The song Africa by Toto, released in 1982 on the album Toto IV, is about a man's love for a continent he has never been to and his conflicting feelings between love and a desire to help. Keyboardist David Paich and drummer Jeff Porcaro wrote the song. Paich has said he was inspired by watching a documentary about Africa late at night and being moved by images of the suffering and beauty there, despite never having visited Africa at the time of writing. The lyrics describe a man who is flying into Africa and is captivated by the continent, with lines like I hear the drums echoing tonight, but she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation and The wild dogs cry out in the night. The song tells a story of a relationship where one person wants to stay in Africa to help, while also feeling pulled to leave for personal love. It is often interpreted as a love song to Africa itself, expressing awe, romanticism, and a sense of mission. Paich said he imagined a white boy who had a love affair with Africa, combining his Catholic school readings about missionaries with his love of geography. Musically, the song is famous for its iconic keyboard riff, layered percussion, and soaring chorus. It won a Grammy and became Toto's only number one hit in the US, remaining one of the most beloved songs of the 1980s.
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