Pamela (song)
| "Pamela" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Toto | ||||
| from the album The Seventh One | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | February 1988 (US) May 1988 (UK)[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 5:11 (album) 4:28 (single) | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers | ||||
| Toto singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Pamela" is a song written by David Paich and Joseph Williams and performed by Toto for the 1988 Toto album The Seventh One. It was the first US single from the album, peaking at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their final Billboard Hot 100 hit to date.[2] It also reached #9 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It is also the penultimate track by Toto to chart on the Adult contemporary chart until Anna was released.
In Europe, "Pamela" was the second single, as "Stop Loving You" was selected as the lead single from the album instead.[3]
Background
The song was written by David Paich and Joseph Williams. Paich had first written the chorus, music and words, including the name, "Pamela". Williams happened to be dating a woman at the time named "Pamela", and had already written a song for her by the same name. The chorus of Williams's song was used in the bridge, and Williams wrote new words and melody for the verses as well.[4]
Critical reception
Cash Box called it "a beautifully conceived tune, replete with the wonderful production ideas that the band is famous for."[5] Music & Media called the song a "funky semi-ballad that will undoubtedly do well."[6]
Track listing
- Pamela
- The Seventh One
Personnel
- Toto
- Joseph Williams – lead vocals and backing vocals
- Steve Lukather – electric guitar and backing vocals
- David Paich – keyboards, piano and backing vocals
- Steve Porcaro – synthesizers
- Mike Porcaro – bass
- Jeff Porcaro – drums and tambourine
- Additional musicians
- Joe Porcaro – vibraphone
- Tom Kelly – backing vocals
- Tom Scott – saxophone, horn arrangements
- Jim Horn – saxophone
- Jerry Hey – trumpet
- Chuck Findley – trumpet
- James Pankow – trombone
- Gary Grant – trumpet
- Gary Herbig – saxophone
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
References
- ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 838. ISBN 9780862415419.
- ^ Toto USA chart history, Billboard.com. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ "Pamela".
- ^ "Pamela". www.toto99.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2008.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cashbox. 20 February 1988. p. 8. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
- ^ "Previews" (PDF). Music & Media. 28 May 1988. p. 22. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Toto – Pamela" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Playlist Report: RAI - Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 18. 30 April 1988. p. 6.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Toto – Pamela" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Toto Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Toto Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1988". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1988" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
External links
- "Toto Releases: The Seventh One". Retrieved 28 September 2007.