What am I missing with Weezer’s cover of the classic 80’s song by Toto? It sounds almost identical. Perhaps worse. I have no idea why it’s getting played all over. I knew it was going to be a hit too when I saw it was on the New Music Friday. Here’s a review of it:
Weezer’s cover of ‘Africa’, which you can stream in full below, is a stunning remake of the original song, complete with echoing drums and whispers of some quiet conversation. It’s also got a kick-ass rocked-up chorus, and is generally a beautiful specimen.
Here’s what the song is about by Toto’s lead singer.
In 2015, Paich explained the song is about a man’s love of a continent, Africa, rather than just a personal romance. In 2018, Paich explained the song is about a person flying in to meet a lonely missionary.
Apparently Rivers Cuomo was begged by fans to remake it. I thought the point of a remake is to remake it? Not to make it the same again?
Weezer – Africa
Toto – Africa
The real tragedy is that the true great songs by Toto don’t get nearly the love they deserve. Hold the Line and Rosanna (Weezer also covered this) are classics.
Hold The Line
Rosanna
Radio 104.5 can’t play Africa by Toto because it’s too old. If they did that, then they wouldn’t be a modern ‘alt rock’ station, they just be like WMMR which is all rock. Weezer covering this allows them to play a classic, and whatever radio 104.5 plays is what the sheep listen to (I know you’re going to say ‘who TF doesn’t have Satellite radio at this point?’).
I have no idea if what I just said is true or not, but was the only thing I could think of. Agree that their cover doesn’t stray away from the original, but when the original is really good, that’s usually not a bad thing.