Please report all these fake spam comments. I don’t know why KZfaq can’t get this together but every comment you see for me is a fake bot looking to scam people. Thanks!

At 76 I’m glad I’ve lived long enough to watch how well you dissect a great song. You are a gift to old musicians.

"I wont hold you back" and "I'll be over you" are two of the most beautiful ballads of the 80s. Steve Lukathers vocals are incredible.

Im so glad that Rick is doing these Toto features. I have been a fan of Toto for nearly 40 years and as a drummer, Jeff is my idol. When he passed, nearly 30 years ago, the drumming community shed many tears and we still do. It is fantastic that a newer generation are being introduced to more than Africa and Rosanna, and learning how wonderful their musicianship individually and collectively is. Their influence on modern music is without peer; my favourite quote is, "More than 90% of the worlds population has heard a song where at least one of the Toto members is involved." No other collection of musicians can make that claim. Toto is the best, and long live the memory of the greatest, Jeff Porcaro.

Jeff Porcaro had incredible rhythmic timing. That is why everyone wanted him on their albums. He was even brought in on The Wall on Mother, because the band's drummer couldn't get it down. An awesome session player!

As a guitar teacher I have brought this solo up with so many of my students. It's an masterclass in phrasing and far more difficult to play well than solos with more shredding. Bending the right notes, to exactly the right pitch, at exactly the right time, is not easy. And of course the pinky hammer-on at the top of the bend is a challenge to pitch just right! Anyone who studies this solo, paying close attention to the details, and tries their best to play it right will ALWAYS improve the skills as a musician!

Rick, at six minutes and 35 seconds into this video I backed out to discover Toto's entire library because you showed me in less than 7 minutes that I have severely and grievously underrated Toto unjustly and ignorantly. Thank you

I became a musician, and a fan of the band because of I Won't Hold You Back. The arrangements and melodies are perfection in music form. Hugs from Brazil

Rick, your appraisal leaves me in aw of the craftsmanship that went into this song. for me, 'I won't hold you back' is the Toto/Lukather answer to the Chicago/Cetera 'if you leave me now' - they are truly beautiful, defining.

Please also note: the vocal mix. It sits IN the mix, rather than plastered on top. You can hear everything! That's why I like older music.

Toto IV is a masterpiece. Reminds me of driving around Marietta, GA, at age 16. I constantly had it in my cassette player. I always thought the guitar solo in I Won’t Hold You Back sounded like weeping. You can feel Luke’s sadness through those notes. Masterpiece.

Rick...you are setting the bar. So many listeners and critics don't give Toto the credit deserved because they aren't "popular" or its in vogue to "hate Toto". Thank you for this enjoyable lesson.

NOBODY ever talks about how great Hydra is. I’m so glad you gave it some love! That’s my favorite Toto song.

I love your enthusiasm for drum fills. Jeff's syncopation was incredible!

I was on a Toto Concert just last week…my god, these guys are unbelievably good

Toto while they received some fame they are such a treasure and deserved more credit and popularity then they received! Steve’s writing, singing and guitar playing again gets appreciated by many guitar players but still not recognized by the general public as well as he should be… What a band! What a song!

There are so many Steve Lukather solos that are Masterpieces ! Toto is underrated and should be in the Rock nRoll hall of fame!

For a guy whose favorite Toto song is “Hold the Line,” you’ve sold me. Great stuff!

This song come out in 1983 my senior year in high school. Gave me chills up my spine when I listened to on radio. One of the few songs that ever did that to me. Just a fabulous song.

Love your enthusiasm, Rick!! Toto IV is one of my desert island records. This band is SO UNDERAPPRECIATED in the U.S.. Keep em coming, brother!!

The French horns doing the counter melody during the guitar solo is amazing! My favorite Toto song from my favorite band.

One other comment... Criticized in recent years for his voice becoming tougher and raspier over the years, Luke mentioned the critics complaining for his voice no longer being smooth, retorted “neither is my ass as smooth as it was when I was younger”. Now THAT is classic Luke! Don’t even get me started on Luke referring to Simon as “Donkey Knob” 😂

I have always felt this is the saddest, most painful, gut-wrenching, heart-broken solo ever recorded. Every break-up I ever went through, I had to play this to get me through it.

23:13 Notice that Jeff's triplet drum fill came after Paich's triplet piano fill. Assuming that they were in the room together, that decision on Jeff's part may have been inspired by what Paich had just done. This is what you miss when you do all your parts separate in the studio.

Since Toto IV came out, I have felt that album is the cleanest and best produced album of all time. After all these years I feel that it is still the best. Awesome work!

The way the horns play off of the guitar solo in the 2nd part really hits the mark.

I cruised around in 4th grade with a 4 D battery tape player bungeed to my sweet BMX bike. Air Supply and Toto IV were the soundtrack to that Summer of 1982

Always loved this song...honestly wasn't expecting this to be the song of theirs you chose. You never disappoint Rick!

I even cry listening to someone break down the song lol. I've always felt like I'm the only one on the planet that realizes the genuis of this perfect song. Sad and heartbreaking, but perfect and flawless

Toto IV is everything about my youth. I was 14 when it came out and I happen to be bright enough to buy it and listen to it closely. It shaped my way to understand music and is an important step of my personal development, musically and otherwise. Back then my world became bigger each day and listening to this record brings back this unique feeling of youth that left me since decades. Toto IV is a bridge back to my roots and in the very same way a signpost into my future. I´m gonna be eternally thankfull for this music.

Agree on Steve Lukathers vocals. Absolutely beautiful and completely under appreciated!

Would love to hear Rick do a “What Makes This Song Great” on Toto’s “Can’t Stop Loving You”.

I rarely write anything on KZfaq because I don’t want to contribute to the noise. When I saw the title I immediately predicted it was either “I Won’t hold you Back” or “Africa”. This song was never a top 10 for Toto but anyone who’s ever heard it never forgets it. It’s so emotional it demands your complete attention and drains you. After 40 years I never tire of it and new listeners are in instant awe of its beauty and grace. Created during a time when musicians knew what they were doing and had the talent to be able to do it. Not trying to be snobbish but comparatively speaking, to me most of the current popular music sounds bland, crude, vulgar, and devoid of any feeling or talent. The singers all sound the same, and everything sounds synthetic.

As a classical and jazz musician I’m amazed by the musicality of Toto.

One of the greatest ballads ever, in my opinion, and for all the reasons you so skillfully enumerated and highlighted. From the first time I heard that guitar solo entrance and the accompanying orchestration, goosebumps ran up all for limbs and it still happened when you played it just now.

TOTO FINALLY GETTING THEIR DUE. Well done, Rick. The thing that makes this song work is that it is orchestral in conception. The chords are open, and the countermelodies are perfectly conceived. It is indeed a masterpiece. It's also probably the reason they got the Dune Gig. You should seriously think about covering 'Take my Hand' and 'Desert War.' Two classic Toto instrumentals.

Luke’s solo in I Won’t Hold You Back is so soulful. Along w Jeff Beck’s Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers, it is one of the great examples of how a guitar can convey emotional depth.

99 is still my favorite popular Toto song. It’s a lot of fun to play the piano parts.

Funny that I just saw Toto Live yesterday evening in Austria. And that song was one of the show's highlight. Drove a shiver down my spine. Fantastic band and one of the all time best

Phenomenal song. Toto IV deep cuts are fantastic. I love Timothy B. Schmidt's background vocals here.

Finally someone made proper homage to this wonderful song. Kudos!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏

This song is so heartfelt, heartbreaking and so beautiful all at the same time. Steve Lukather has such a soulful voice and is a masterful musician. So gifted! Toto forever!!!

I'm so glad you picked that song. For years I had stopped doing whatever I was doing and closed my eyes whenever this came on. The solo conveys emotion perfectly. My only regret is the fade out that was so typical of that era. Otherwise perfect songs deserve a perfect ending.

Jeff was one of those drummers where the space between the notes was as vital as the notes themselves.

Had the privilege to hear Toto do this LIVE back in April and was absolutely blown away. Luke truly is the best!

My favorite Toto song is "99". I love the piano 🎹.

“I’ll Be Over You” and “Make Believe” are my two favorites. Great Job Rick!!!!!

Completely agree Rick!! This is one of the greatest ballads ever written…the words are incredibly powerful. The vocals draw you into sync with the heart and emotions of the song. Drum and guitar just perfect with the orchestra creating a sublime fill to take this song to the height of 80’s power ballad delight. Simply put…will always be one of my favorite songs!!!

I agree with Steve Lukather's talent in all areas but to be fair, l am blown away with your talent Rick! Your ability to quickly pick up guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums on basically any song is mind boggling. I am 65, not going to put in the time to try to acquire those skills but thankful you offer to others ways to acquire those skill sets.

I had the pleasure of seeing Toto live when they toured with Journey recently, best concert ever! Toto sounded better than they do in the studio. It was amazing!

One of my favorite Toto songs. Everything is so overwhelming beautiful. The orchester arrangement is stunning. The Frenchhorn line in the Gutar Solo always gives me chills!

I saw Toto in 1977. Luke was absolutely mind blowing and I had never seen a drummer like Jeff before. Jeff drove the band like a mule driver! pushed and held back when needed and pushed like no one I'd ever seen before.

Toto IV is one of those albums you just want to listen to all the way through without skipping any songs. Great album.

Came in expecting 'Hold the Line - and VERY pleasantly surprised - I absolutely loved 'I Won't Hold You Back'. By far my favourite Toto song, and among my faves of all time.

The most beautifull ballad ever. Loved this song from the first listen. Home of the brave is my Fav Toto song

I'm glad you mentioned "White Sister". In my mind it's the ultimate complete rock song. Contains everything that should be in a great rock song in one tune. Every facet of it is amazing

Got to be one of Rick's best videos - never seen him enjoying himself so much and so many smiles - Great

Real drums...Real vocals...Real writing... Real talent...man, we had the greatest music during the 80's!! TOTO IV was one of my most worn cassettes in high school and college! I Won't Hold You Back... ALWAYS one of my favorites!! 🥰❤️

23:12 "And then the triplet fill" - But Jeff's carrying on the triplet from the *PIANO triplet* immediately before. SO GOOD!!

Although I can not read or play music, you make these videos so precious and insightful about how to listen to, appreciate and enjoy music. And most important Rick, you have rightfully become a new genre of Rock Star, a musicians musician but also the connecting link or bridge for the common folk. Such a great Spirit in all your work! Thank you so much :)

Love you Rick. You have made my life a little brighter since I discovered your channel. Music is something that makes me happy and you have magnified a better appreciation for the genius that goes into the magic of what makes this song great

Have always loved Toto since discovering their first album when in college. I got Toto IV my senior year, and my roommate and I left side 1 on the turntable most of the summer. We didn't even know Africa was on side 2. So many great tunes.... I think David Paich's piano is gorgeous as well.

Their performance at their 35th anniversary in Poland is a master piece in all senses. From the musicianship to the sound engineering...just perfect. This is a very underrated band IMO.

Thank you Rick for letting me know why so many of these songs are my favorites.

Love, love, love this song by Toto. It’s beautiful and I get goosebumps every time I hear it. The arrangement is beyond words. It emotes both happy and sad with each listen. Muah!

Toto so underrated still, the west coast wrecking crew has so much great stuff that never made the radio. Nice to see you do an in depth video on them, great live too! Personal fav: “I’ll Supply the Love”

I’m pretty new to Toto, following your interview with Luke, and then I watched a concert on KZfaq and was blown away. I noticed that Luke does that hammer on to a bend a lot and I stole it straight away. I’d never seen anyone else do it. This song was a standout on the live show I watched. Luke has to be up there on the guitar/vocal talent scale.

Perfect timing, Rick, I'm going to see them live tonight in Warsaw. Very excited to see David perform with them again.

I thought of this song when I saw the video, but I can’t believe you picked this, I just thought you’d go with a rock tune. But I totally agree, this and “I’ll be over you” are amazingly written.

Toto is my all time favorite band, so this video makes me very happy My favorite song from them personally is Africa because I'm in love with the harmony, but I have at least 30 other favorites

Toto is amazing and underrated AF.

TOTO is for over 40 years THE BEST BAND on the planet. Other great TOTO songs: "Manuela Run" (TOTO - 1st album), "Afraid of Love" (TOTO IV), "Endless" (Album: Isolation), "Stop loving You" (7th album), "Home of the Brave" (7th)....Over all it's hard to find a bad TOTO song.

This old guy is going again to see Toto at Caesars Windsor on March 11, 2023. Four rows from front centre stage. Yes Baby! Can’t wait👍

David Hungate plays some amazing bass lines! For a real treat, listen to his playing on Boz Scaggs' "Harbor Lights". Incredible!

What an awesome tribute to my musical hero. I'm beyond honored that Lukather gave me props on my song, "Fire and Ice" and few years back. Made my year!

Toto was and still is a super band, their alchemy of great songs and stellar performances is so unique. I´ve seen them live many times and their musicianship is ridiculous, it´s like ¨ok guys, lets be the best of the world tonight¨. It´s great when a band takes things so seriously.

For Toto fans listen to the album Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs which was released in 1976. A few members of the future Toto played on that album. Amazing album with a lot of 'Toto' sound influences.

The lead on hydra blew me away when I first heard it; I spent hours and hours in my room as a kid trying to mimic the fluidity of the song’s little piano riff the that Lukather played so effortlessly.

Great song. Spent a whole year in 2019 rediscovering Toto and that revealed a new understanding of how significant they are in the grander scheme of things. Still love Luke my college rock star crush!

the string arrangement under that guitar solo is legendary.

Thank you for giving these kinds of props to Toto and especially Steve Lukather. The band is so UNDERRATED!

My favorites are "Goodby Girl Goodby" and "These Chains". But of course I love "I won't hold you back" - a phenomenal song worth to break up. ❤👏 May be it's worth speaking about Jeff's snare-sound in the verse ... so soft and smooth ... in the chorus playing a harder punch ... great! Of course Jeff's wonderful groove. And the orchestral arrangement, which makes a kind of symphony out of this rock-song. The stellar guitar-solo. So many outstanding details. Genius! 👍👏

I've always loved this song, it's a masterpiece! Toto has so many skilled artists! So glad I got to see them live 3 years ago.

The change of the solo section and orchestration always give me goosebumps. Absolutely stunning writing. So glad you picked this.

The orchestral arrangement is what makes this song, imo. The French horns at the leading out of the interlude between the chorus and next verse are so beautiful.

Always a fan of lukathers work, love your enthusiasm about him and toto in general. A lot of my guitar friends completely dismiss the 80's as a good guitar era.. boy are they missing out. Good to find some 'like-minded beato's' online.. keeps me coming back! Thnx again for your content, you're one of my favorite teachers and musicians Rick. Till next time :)

Even as a young teenager listening to mainly hard rock/metal in the 80s, I still found my way to Toto's IV album. I listened to it ALOT. "I Won't Hold You Back" is a tune that just grabs you. That whole album is phenomenal.

As a singer myself, I can say a lot of people who think they can't sing can do so with training and practice. It may come more naturally for some than others, but the vast majority of people can sing competently with training.

i just love Rick's recreations of all the solos he does. Truly a master

The main solo Luke blows out is one of my examples of IMHO perfect note choice and phrasing. It is so elegant sounding; emotive as all hell. I was surprised when this was your choice of greatest song Rick. It's always been one of my favorites of all time.

I Won't Hold You Back is definitely my favorite Toto song, although they have plenty of great ones. So much emotion in this song! I love it.

Rick I say play to your strengths, so you aren't a solo singer what you truly are makes up for it in spades. I love you and what you teach me. I love your channel so much. ❤️ sing and play away for us. Nobody is complaining. I learn so much from you and I'm not a musician just an old (72) appreciator of good music.

Steve's voice was great when he was young but the grittiness he has now is so cool too!!! I can't wait to see him live

I don't think there is a tighter drummer in all of pop/rock history than Jeff Porcaro. Incredible! Steve Lukather is an amazing ballad writer and singer. You really hear it on his solo albums. Truly Rick you have picked up one of the most beautiful ballads ever written. So many beautiful chord progressions and musical arrangements. I love what the background vocals are also doing with just the oohs harmony.

That drum fill gives me goose bumps every time. This is such a geat song, man that guitar solo, that bends, blows my mind!

More Toto content please 🙏🏾 ☺️

4 was perfect storm of great musicians, great writing, great vocals and great production

Rick you are one of the most amazing musicians I've ever had the pleasure to witness. I feel as if I have a lot in common with you when it comes to tasteful music and lo and behold you just picked another one that is one of my absolute favorites. What makes it even stronger in my heart is I lived this song. Not only is this song phenomenal for its structure musically but the lyrics are so on point. Thank you for sharing with us one of the Greatest songs from Toto. What a great group of musicians especially Steve , what a incredible guy phenomenal player musician songwriter. So happy to see you living your dream and being successful you deserve it.

I remember growing up on TOTO IV as a kid in the 80’s. Every song in that album is a showcase of musicianship, songwriting, and performing. “Africa” and “Rosanna” are the catchy, obvious headliners of the album, and rightfully so. I’ve always loved the driving medley of “Afraid of Love/Lovers In The Night”. But the song that always moved me the most from TOTO IV was, and still is “I Won’t Hold You Back”. Just an absolute masterpiece. As an amateur “bedroom guitarist” I initially thought “That’s a simple little guitar solo”. On the surface, it’s seemingly easy enough, just a handful of notes played at a very slow, measured pace. But deep-diving into the solo’s subtle nuances, was when I realized that it’s awfully hard to replicate the raw emotion of Steve Lukather’s playing, even when he’s playing slow. Luke has impeccable touch, spot-on intonation on the bends, expressive vibrato, note choices, and tone-in-the-fingers… Just a masterful guitarist!

99 is one of my favorite Toto songs. Love the long instrumental finale.