Simon Phillips begins things with a gentle, rolling groove that’s reminiscent of the late Jeff Porcaro, yet still distinctly his own, as “Melanie” joins the ever-growing pantheon of Toto songs named after women – including “Manuela Run,” “Angela,” “Lorraine,” “Goodbye Elenore,” “Rosanna,” “Carmen,” “Holyanna,” “Lea,” “Pamela,” “Anna” and “Mushanga.”
Toto then adds tight vocal harmonies and the smooth, soulful Steve Lukather leads that are the trademark of their best ballads. Together, they help “Melanie” stake its claim as one of the stronger tracks on 1999’s Mindfields.
That said, what truly sets “Melanie” apart is its music video. One of Toto’s best, the above clip feels as if it’s borne out of the imagination of the late Salvador Dali, with elevators opening into desert-scapes as humpback whales swim above. The lyrics don’t really match up, but musically and visually the four minute-long music video is a work of art all by itself.
“Melanie” was written by Steve Lukather, David Paich and Randy Goodrum, a frequent Toto songwriting collaborator most notably known for his work on “I’ll Be Over You.” Where some of the other Toto songs named after women may pop a bit more, “Melanie” is subtle and understated. At the same time, it boasts a lushness that is absent from many of the other tracks on Mindfields.
Coupled with songs like “Better World” and “Spanish Steps of Rome,” “Melanie” augments what is arguably the stronger back half of this project. And much like those other tracks, the anchor is Simon Phillips, as he pays homage to Toto’s origins while never losing his own atypical subtlety.
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