"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.
| "Toto" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Drax Project | ||||
| from the album Noon | ||||
| Released | 13 August 2018 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 3:09 | |||
| Label | Drax Project, Universal Music New Zealand | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Drax Project singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Toto" on YouTube | ||||
Background and composition edit
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 edit
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.[7]
Credits and personnel edit
Credits adapted from Tidal.[8]
- Devin Abrams – producer
- Matt Beachen – drums, songwriter
- Simon Gooding – engineer
- Stuart Hawkes – mastering engineer
- Ben O'Leary – bass guitar, songwriter
- Sam Thomson – bass (vocal), songwriter
- Shaan Singh – vocals, songwriting
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[7] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ a b Roth, Madeline (27 September 2019). "Drax Project Break Down Their Debut Album, From 'Woke Up Late' To 'Catching Feelings'". MTV. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ Mamo, Heran (27 September 2019). "Drax Project Underscores Laid-Back R&B Vibes & Electronic Flourishes on Self-Titled Debut Album: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ Postema, Saskia (18 June 2019). "Drax Project". Euphoria. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "Drax Project write about their risks in new single 'Toto'". MediaWorks Radio. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "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. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ a b "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "Credits / Noon". Tidal. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ "Official Top 20 NZ Singles: End of Year Charts 2018". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 February 2022.