This dubious honor goes to Toto's "Africa" for the following tongue-twister: "I know that I must do what's right. As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus from the Serengeti."
Man, that's a mouthful! Toto really pulled out all the stops on this one. Kilimanjaro, Olympus, Serengetti: Have you ever heard so much geographical name-dropping in one line? All this in a song named after a continent. Check out the video to listen how David Paich strains to make the syllables of this song fit into the time signature. Notice how the "Ser" and "ti" in Serengeti are awkwardly emphasized:
Other observations/questions:
* In profile, vocalist David Paich looks more than a little like John Ritter.
*Why does the late drummer Jeff Porcaro (God rest his soul) look like he's cross-dressing in this video? Is it the women's glasses, the blouse or the necklace that is so prim it may as well have been June Cleaver's classic string of pearls? Is it speaking ill of the dead to say that Porcaro looks like a young Janet Reno? Is it speaking ill of Janet Reno?
*Is it just me who is rendered hopelessly dizzy by that incessantly spinning globe?
*Little known fact: The woman at the desk who keeps looking suggestively through her bifocals is actually the band's accountant. That's not busywork she's doing. It's their taxes.
*Notice what a workout this song is for keyboardist Steve Porcaro. If you watch closely, he's wearing sweatbands on his wrists.
*Notice how smug Paich looks when, despite the slight inconvenience of an intruding spear and a bit of fire, he finds the perfect book for his report on Africa.
*Why, oh why, did that lion and zebra on the wall have to die for this video? Was it worth it? Why did those glasses have to be broken?
*Little known fact: Those oversize books the boys of Toto are using as a stage? They belong to Steve Lukather, who was a prop comedian on the side.
Clearly, a special award for this video, which remains legend on YouTube, is long overdue. Long live Toto! It's going to take a lot to take me away from that band.
If you like rock humor, check out the book "No Air Guitar Allowed," a humorous guide to rock concerts now available on Amazon.
Sarah Torribio
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