Toto (Drax Project song) explained

Toto
Type:single
Artist:Drax Project
Album:Noon
Genre:Pop
Length:3:09
Label:Drax Project, Universal Music New Zealand
Prev Title:Woke Up Late
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Woke Up Late
Next Year:2019

"Toto" is a song by New Zealand band Drax Project. Inspired by vocalist Shaan Singh quitting their full-time jobs to pursue music, "Toto" was released as the second single from the Noon EP in August 2018. The song was a commercial success, becoming platinum certified in New Zealand.

Background and composition

The song was written by the band the day after the band members quit their full-time jobs to pursue music.[1] While not directly inspired by the 1982 song "Africa" by Toto, the band references "Africa" in the song's lyrics, and wanted to recreate the same joyfulness present in "Africa".[1] The first stanza of the song's lyrics are a direct quote by vocalist Shaan Singh, who was describing his day to a friend.[2] The band performed the song live before deciding on a finished version of the song's lyrics. Due to a fan's strong response to the song, the band were convinced to leave the song as it was, and release the song on the Noon EP.[3]

Release

The song was first unveiled as a track on the Noon EP, which was released on 8 June 2018. A month later on 13 August, the song was announced as the band's next single.[4] "Toto" was later featured in the band's debut album Drax Project. A music video was produced for the song, a dance rehearsal video made in collaboration with Samsung, that does not feature members of the band.[5]

The single climbed the charts in October 2018,[6] and was certified platinum in 2019.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[7]

Charts

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Drax Project Break Down Their Debut Album, From 'Woke Up Late' To 'Catching Feelings' . https://web.archive.org/web/20220815104744/https://www.mtv.com/news/nnycs5/drax-project-break-down-debut-album . dead . 15 August 2022 . Madeline . Roth . 27 September 2019 . MTV . 8 January 2023.
  2. Drax Project Underscores Laid-Back R&B Vibes & Electronic Flourishes on Self-Titled Debut Album: Listen . Heran . Mamo . 27 September 2019 . Billboard . 8 January 2023.
  3. Web site: Drax Project . Saskia . Postema . 18 June 2019 . Euphoria . 8 January 2023.
  4. Web site: Drax Project write about their risks in new single 'Toto' . MediaWorks Radio. 13 August 2018. 21 August 2018.
  5. Web site: Drax Project reveal to Stace and Flynny what it's been like opening for stars Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello . The Hits. 10 August 2018. 3 January 2023.
  6. Web site: NZ Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 19 October 2018. 21 October 2018.
  7. Web site: Credits / Noon. Tidal. 8 January 2023.
  8. Web site: NZ Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 19 October 2018. 21 October 2018.
  9. Web site: Official Top 20 NZ Singles: End of Year Charts 2018. Recorded Music NZ. 1 February 2022.