Africa chords
by Toto- Africa was written by David Paich & Jeff Porcaro from the band Toto.
- Recorded: Oct 25th, 1981
- Released: Sept, 1982 from the album Toto 1V
- Music: Key of B Major in 2/2 time at 92 bpm (♩)
- Chords: A, A/E, B, B/F#, C#m7, D, D#m7, E, F#m, G#m, G#m7
- If you are finding the timing a little difficult, we have the first 8 bars of sheet music below.
Chart Legend
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open X: Don't play string B: Bass Note
Africa
Intro: 2/2 Timing: 1& 2& 1 & 2 & 1& 2& 1& 2& 𝄆 A | G#m C#m7 | C#m7 | C#m7 𝄇 B D#m7 G#m7 1. I hear the drums ech-o-ing to-night B/F# A/E C#m7 G#m A | G#m C#m7 | She hears on-ly whis-pers of some qui-et con-ver-sa-a-a-tion B D#m7 G#m7 She’s com-in’ in 12-30 flight B/F# A/E C#m7 G#m A | G#m C#m7 | Moonlit wings ref-lect the stars that guide me towards sal-va-a-a-tion B D#m7 G#m7 2. I stop-ped an old man a-long the way B/F# A/E C#m7 G#m A | G#m C#m7 | Ho-ping to find some long for-got-ten words or anc-ient me-e-lo-dies B D#m7 G#m7 He turn-ed to me as if to say A | G#m C#m7 | C#m7 | Hur-ry boy It’s wait-ing there for you F#m D A E Chorus: Gon-na take a lot to drag me a-way from you F#m D A E There’s noth-ing that a hund-red men or more could e-ver do F#m D A E I bless the rains down in A-a-fri-ca F#m D A C#m7 E F#m E A Gon-na take some time to do the things we nev-er ha-a-a-a-a-a-ad Oo-(Hoo) 1& 2& 1 & 2 & 1& 2& 1& 2& A | G#m C#m7 | C#m7 | C#m7 (Hoo) B D#m7 G#m7 3. The wild dogs cry out in the night B/F# A/E C#m7 G#m A | G#m C#m7 | As they grow rest-less long-ing for some sol-i-ta-ry co-om-pa-ny B D#m7 G#m7 I know that I must do what’s right B/F# A C#m7 G#m A | G#m C#m7 | As sure as Kil-i-man-ja-ro ris-es like Ol-ym-pus a-bove the Ser-en-get-ti B D#m7 G#m7 ** I seek to cure what’s deep in-side A | G#m C#m7 | C#m7 | Fright-ened of this thing that I’ve be-come F#m D A E Chorus: It’s gon-na take a lot to drag me a-way from you F#m D A E There's noth-ing that a hund-red men or more could e-ver do F#m D A E I bless the rains down in A-a-fri-ca F#m D A C#m7 E F#m E A Gon-na take some time to do the things we nev-er ha-a-a-a-a-a-ad Oo-(Hoo) 1& 2& 1 & 2 & 1& 2& 1& 2& A | G#m C#m7 | C#m7 | C#m7 (Hoo) Instr: B | D#m7 | G#m7 | B/F# | A/E | C#m | G#m | A | G#m C#m7 | B | D#m7 G#m7 A | G#m C#m7 | C#m7 | ** Hur-ry boy She’s wait-ing there for you F#m D A E Chorus: Gon-na take a lot to drag me a-way from you F#m D A E There’s noth-ing that a hund-red men or more could e-ver do F#m D A E I bless the rains down in A-a-fri-ca F#m D A E I bless the rains down in A-a-fri-ca F#m D A E I bless the rains down in A-a-fri-ca F#m D A E I bless the rains down in A-a-fri-ca F#m D A E I bless the rains down in A-a-fri-ca F#m D A C#m7 E F#m E A Gon-na take some time to do the things we nev-er ha-a-a-a-a-a-ad Oo-(Hoo) 1& 2& 1 & 2 & 1& 2& 1& 2& A | G#m C#m7 | C#m7 | C#m7 (Hoo) ... repeat to fade Please Note: The timing at the end of lines 2 & 4 of each verse | A | G#m C#m7 | is the same as the Intro and Instrumental sections after the Choruses.
Please Note: The B Major chord has 2 options
- Use fingers 2, 3 and 4 to play the 3 strings or
- Use your 3rd finger to play a mini-barre over the 3 strings.
- Free Music Transposition Simply highlight & copy the entire song chart above - then click on the link... more
- Help on reading the song charts
- Learn how to write chords
- Essential Guitar Chords
Notes
Introduction - First 8 bars:This snippet of the introduction will give you a closer look at the timing and where the chord changes occur - just in case you find the song sheet above a little confusing... hope this helps.
Africa by Toto
Toto
Origins: Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Original Line-Up: David Paich (keyboards/vocals), Jeff Porcaro(Drums/Percussion), David Hungate (Bass), Steve Lukather (guitar/vocals/bass), Steve Porcaro (keyboards/vocals), and Bobby Kimball (singer)
Music Styles: Rock, pop, jazz fusion
Active Years: 1977–2008, 2010–2019, 2020–present
Associations: Boz Scaggs, LeRoux, Steely Dan, Seals and Crofts, Half Moon, Michael McDonald, Yoso,Michael Jackson, and many more
Song Facts
Songwriters: "Africa" was written by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro, members of Toto. David Paich provided the vocals for the song, creating the iconic lead vocals that became a defining element of the track.
Lyric Inspiration: The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and mystery, portraying a narrator's desire to visit the continent and explore its landscapes.
Synthetic Percussion: One of the most recognizable elements of the song is its unique use of synthetic percussion sounds, particularly the distinctive rain-like effect at the beginning. The song's production combines acoustic and electronic elements.
Chart Success: "Africa" was a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and topping the charts in several other countries as well.
Iconic Music Video: The music video features a mix of live-action footage and animation, showcasing a storyline that complements the song's themes. The video has become synonymous with the song's legacy.
Sampling and Covers: Over the years, the song has been sampled and covered by various artists from different genres. Notably, the song experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 2010s, thanks in part to internet memes and covers.
Weezer's Cover: The band Weezer released a cover version of "Africa" in 2018 after a fan-led campaign to convince them to do so. The cover became a hit itself and introduced the song to a new generation of listeners.
Cultural Impact: The song has remained relevant in popular culture, with references in TV shows, movies, and even on the internet. Its iconic chorus and memorable melody have contributed to its enduring status.
Grammy Awards: "Africa" earned Toto two Grammy nominations in 1983, including Record of the Year. Although it didn't win in these categories, its recognition highlights its impact in the music industry.
Legacy: The song's popularity has solidified its place as one of the most recognizable and popular tracks of the 1980s. It's often featured in "best of" lists and continues to be celebrated by audiences worldwide.
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