Our next yacht rock staple comes from Toto’s classic 1982 album Toto IV. This record won multiple Grammys, including Album of the Year and Producer of the Year. Today’s SOTD, ‘Rosanna,’ won ‘Record of the Year’ as well.
The album’s other hit single, ‘Africa,’ is as well-known and well-loved as this one, but I’ve featured it on the blog before, so today is ‘Rosanna’s moment in the spotlight.
Rumor has it the song is about actress Rosanna Arquette, who was dating Toto keyboardist Steve Pocaro at the time it was written. But the band maintains that, though the name itself was inspired by Ms. Arquette, the lyrics by band member David Paich referenced a number of different women in his past.
All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see your eyes
Rosanna, Rosanna
I never thought that a girl like you could ever care for me
Rosanna
[Verse 2]
All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you tight
Rosanna, Rosanna
I didn’t know you were looking for more than I could ever be
[Pre-Chorus]
Not quite a year since she went away, Rosanna yeah
Now she’s gone and I have to say
[Chorus]
Meet you all the way
Meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way
Meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
[Verse 3]
I can see your face still shining through the window on the other side
Rosanna, Rosanna
I didn’t know that a girl like you could make me feel so sad
Rosanna
[Verse 4]
All I want to tell you is now you’ll never ever have to compromise
Rosanna, Rosanna
I never thought that losing you could ever hurt so bad
[Pre-Chorus]
Not quite a year since she went away, Rosanna yeah
Now she’s gone and I have to say
[Chorus]
Meet you all the way
Meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way
Meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
[Bridge]
[Pre-Chorus]
Not quite a year since she went away, Rosanna yeah
Now she’s gone and I have to say
[Chorus]
Meet you all the way
Meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way
Meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way
Meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet you all the way
Meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah
Meet Me In Montauk 
What ever happened to Toto? One great album and then?
Their albums sold well through the mid-90s before trailing off. They’re still recording and touring, with their most recent album coming out just two years ago.
New to me. Call it life long learning.
I have listened to this song so often but never thought about Rosanna Arquette (I didn’t know her before “Crash” and other movies like “Romance & Cigarettes” with – unforgotten – James Gandolfini). Well, all I knew about Toto in the 80’s was “a band of terrific studio musicians”. I still love this stubborn ear worm! They are still on the road? Wow. I was at a Saga concert recently (original lineup, not like Nazareth), it was a bit sentimental but they really rocked the festival!