Rosanna (song)

	Chart positions ; Explanation of the data
	Singles
	Rosanna

Rosanna is a song by the American band Toto from 1982, written by David Paich and released on the album Toto IV . The title represents (alongside Africa and Hold the Line ) one of the band's most successful songs. Rosanna is an integral part of every Toto concert to this day.

history

Songwriter David Paich said he was referring to this song as all women he knew. At first the band members as well as the media assumed that the song was related to Rosanna Arquette , who was with Steve Porcaro at the time , but then denied it several times. At the same time, Porcaro used her first name because it could be used as a title and for the refrain.

The publication took place in March 1982. At the 1983 Grammy Awards , the song won the Single of the Year category .

Musically

In terms of style, Rosanna is a typical example of West Coast rock of the 80s.

The tempo is 173 bpm . After the intro in G major, the key modulates in the stanzas ( verses ) from G major to F major and then ends up in Bb major in the chorus . The bridge prepares the chorus in its parallel key in G minor.

The structure of the song follows the typical structure of a pop / rock song from the time:

Intro
1st verse - 2nd verse
bridge
Chorus
3rd verse - 4th verse
bridge
Chorus
Solo (synthesizer / guitar)
bridge
Chorus - Chorus
Ending with solo (piano / guitar)
Fade out

The drum groove (one of the most famous in pop / rock history) forms the first part of the intro. It has become known as the halftime shuffle and has become the trademark of the Toto drummer. Besides the grooves of other drummers, the rhythm is also inspired by jazz playing techniques . In combination with the Ghost Notes typical of Porcaro's playing style , the drummer defines the groove as a mixture of " Bernard Purdie's Halftime Shuffle" (Purdie Shuffle), John Bonhams -Beat from Fool in the Rain and the " Bo Diddley Beat ".

Likewise, the synthesizer solo (Steve Porcaro) and the guitar solo (Steve Lukather) are among the world's most famous instrumental passages of a song of this genre. The song ends with a piano solo (David Paich) and another guitar solo by Steve Lukather, which finally ends in the fade-out of the piece.

occupation

The band's core line-up is complemented by some of the best pop / rock musicians from California's West Coast scene of the 1980s. The musicians of the band themselves also belong to the world's first guard of studio musicians in the pop / rock genre .

Band members:

Jeff Porcaro - drums
David Paich - piano, Hammond organ
Steve Porcaro - synths, Hammond organ
Steve Lukather - Guitar / Vocals
Bobby Kimball - lead / background vocals
David Hungate - bass

Guest musicians:

Tom Kelly - background vocals
Lenny Castro - percussion
Jerry Hey - Trumpet (brass arrangement)
Gary Grant - trumpet
Tom Scott - saxophone
Jim Horn - saxophone
James Pankow - trombone

Some of the guest musicians (e.g. Lenny Castro or the brass section around Jerry Hey) were repeatedly called in to complement the band in productions.

Music video

The music video shows two narrative levels: on the one hand, the sung about Rosanna as a dancer on a street. Her bright red dress stands in clear contrast to the gloomy, shabby surroundings. On the other hand, the band can be seen. She plays the song in a shabby backyard, separated from the main action of the video by a high fence. The musicians are on the one hand part of the narrated situation of the dancer, but on the other hand the fence separates the two narrative levels and turns the band members into distant observers. Only the two lead singers of the song change the narrative level during their assignments and become part of Rosanna's world.

The video was directed by Steve Barron , Cynthia Rhodes plays Rosanna, and Patrick Swayze can be recognized among the other dancers .

It is the first video with the new bassist Mike Porcaro (the brother of drummer Jeff and keyboardist Steve) after David Hungate could be heard on the recording of the song but left the band shortly afterwards.

Cover versions

1983: The Art of Noise (Beat Box)
1991: Munich Symphonic Sound Orchestra
2002: Mr. Vegas
2007: JBO (Osama)
2018: Weezer

Awards for music sales

Country / Region	Award	Sales
Awards for music sales (country / region, Award, Sales)
Australia (ARIA)	gold	35,000
Canada (MC)	gold	50,000
United States (RIAA)	platinum	1,000,000
All in all	2 × gold 1 × platinum	1,085,000