10 votes

So what's up with the Toto - Africa craze? Are we in another 80's music revival?

Posted by Axelia
Tags: toto, 1980s, crazes, ask.survey

My personal theory is that this is similar to the phenomenon of "Don't Stop Believin'" having a surge in popularity in the late 2000's. I know that was commonly attributed to the song's use in the finale of The Sopranos, is there a similar usage of "Africa" that triggered its sudden prevalence in popular culture? What did I miss?

(Not a complaint, it's reminded me of how great 80's music is and I'm listening to an 80's station right now).

15 comments

  1. [3]
    Fires
    Link
    okay I know this probably doesn't add much to the conversation and could easily be taken as noise but have you fucking heard africa? shits catchy as hell

    okay I know this probably doesn't add much to the conversation and could easily be taken as noise but

    have you fucking heard africa?

    shits catchy as hell

    12 votes
    1. [2]
      Axelia
      Link Parent
      I mean yeah, I'd heard the song before and was familiar with it/enjoyed it, but why this song? Why now?

      I mean yeah, I'd heard the song before and was familiar with it/enjoyed it, but why this song? Why now?

      1. Fires
        Link Parent
        Not super sure but I do know Weezer recently made a cover of it. Not complaining :)

        Not super sure but I do know Weezer recently made a cover of it. Not complaining :)

        2 votes
  2. [3]
    somewaffles
    Link
    I’m no authority on the subject by any means but I have read that most pieces of culture are circular and will pop back up every 20-30 years. If you look at a lot of the “up and coming” bands, a...

    I’m no authority on the subject by any means but I have read that most pieces of culture are circular and will pop back up every 20-30 years. If you look at a lot of the “up and coming” bands, a lot have a post-punk sound, similar to bands like Devo, joy division, talking heads, etc. had in the 80s. Whether it’s supposed to be ironic or not, a lot of fashion and asthetic popular in the 80s is coming back too like overly bright colors and jaggedy patterns. It’s just a good song from that time period coming back in a time when that sort of thing is popular again. Or maybe I’m just some dumb idiot on the internet and over anaylzed your question.

    4 votes
    1. silva-rerum
      Link Parent
      See, I'm fascinated by the circularity of cultural trends given the practically non-existent cultural latency we have now compared to a few decades or centuries ago, but it also raises so many...

      See, I'm fascinated by the circularity of cultural trends given the practically non-existent cultural latency we have now compared to a few decades or centuries ago, but it also raises so many questions for me, like:

      • Has that circularity always existed, or did it only come into play after the industrial revolution or some other notable human epoch?
      • Is it mainly a phenomenon in western societies?
      • What parallel characteristics of that cultural circularity can be found in non-western countries?
      • Are there certain social dimensions or domains where that circularity is more or less likely to occur?
      2 votes
    2. Axelia
      Link Parent
      Not dumb at all! This is the type of discussion I was looking for.

      Not dumb at all! This is the type of discussion I was looking for.

  3. [3]
    Nyxie
    Link
    Is it because of Weezer's release of their cover of Africa recently?

    Is it because of Weezer's release of their cover of Africa recently?

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      Axelia
      Link Parent
      I thought their cover was a fan request due to the popularity of the song, but I might be mistaken.

      I thought their cover was a fan request due to the popularity of the song, but I might be mistaken.

      1 vote
      1. dodger
        Link Parent
        The best is that they trolled her and announced their new Toto cover... and it turned out to be Roseanna. They released Africa a week later. Pretty great covers too.

        The best is that they trolled her and announced their new Toto cover... and it turned out to be Roseanna. They released Africa a week later. Pretty great covers too.

  4. [2]
    PUMPatHARDEES
    Link
    Song is an absolute ripper. Case closed.

    Song is an absolute ripper. Case closed.

    2 votes
    1. up2eleven
      Link Parent
      Look at the size of that song. Absolute unit.

      Look at the size of that song. Absolute unit.

      1 vote
  5. emolr
    Link
    Seeing how Troye Sivan recently released a single that was a bit reminiscent of the 80s, and Paramore’s song Hard Times has also followed the same trend, I’d say there’s definitely some kind of an...

    Seeing how Troye Sivan recently released a single that was a bit reminiscent of the 80s, and Paramore’s song Hard Times has also followed the same trend, I’d say there’s definitely some kind of an 80s trend going on.

    1 vote
  6. silva-rerum
    (edited )
    Link
    Now I'm intrigued OP, do you think there's a consolidated list of the songs this has happened to in the past 100 years or so? I wonder if they have something in common.

    Now I'm intrigued OP, do you think there's a consolidated list of the songs this has happened to in the past 100 years or so? I wonder if they have something in common.

    1 vote
  7. cow_co
    Link
    I am ready for Boogie Wonderland's comeback tbh

    I am ready for Boogie Wonderland's comeback tbh

  8. [2]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. Axelia
      Link Parent
      Oh man, I forgot about that!

      Oh man, I forgot about that!