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99 (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'99'" is a song by the American rock band Toto. The song appeared on the 'Hydra' album in 1979. As a single, it reached number 26 on the 'Billboard' charts.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/hydra-r20315/charts-awards/billboard-single Hyrdra singles in the Billboard Charts], AllMusicGuide. In Canada, the song peaked at number 17 on the 'RPM' singles chart.
Development
The song was written as a tribute to George Lucas's film 'THX 1138,' and the music video resembles a scene in the movie.
In the video, as in the movie scene where the main character (named "THX 1138" and nicknamed "Thex") is imprisoned, the room is completely white and everyone is wearing a white jumpsuit. 'Toto Legend,' the former official International Toto Fan Club newsletter, reviewed the video:
'99' was predominantly a performance video, though the set design was rather conceptual. Following David Paich's intention regarding the lyrics, about a sterile society in which names are forgotten and love forbidden, the set was sterile white, with various sized sculptured 99's hanging and standing about, and the band was clad in futuristic white jumpsuits. There were some notable shots in this one keyboard close-ups and an artistic view of Jeff through a transparent drum head, a technique that several popular videos have copied since.
Personnel
Toto
*Bobby Kimball backing vocals, keyboards*Steve Lukather guitars, lead and backing vocals
*Steve Porcaro keyboards
*David Paich keyboards, piano, backing vocals
*David Hungate bass
*Jeff Porcaro drums, percussion
Track listing
# "99" (3:28)
# "Hydra" (5:04)
References
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Category:1979 songs
Category:1980 singles
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Toto (band) songs
Category:Science fiction music
Category:Songs written by David Paich
Category:Music videos directed by Bruce Gowers
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