April 21, 2015 by

Toto, “Girl Goodbye” from ‘Toto’ (1978): Toto Tuesdays

Side Two of Toto’s 1978 self-titled debut starts off with one of Bobby Kimball’s high points. “Girl Goodbye” is a sharp contrast to how Kimball ended side one with “You Are the Flower,” though just as stellar.

“Girl Goodbye” starts with a Steve Porcaro-constructed synthesizer ensemble then quickly gathers steam has guitarist Steve Lukather and bassist David Hungate propel the main theme with Jeff Porcaro’s straight-ahead rock rhythm. Kimball initially explores his lower register, giving the song an urban grittiness. In pleasing Toto fashion, Kimball then shifts to his higher register for the chorus, “…it’s so hard to see the truth with the sun in your eyes…”

Don’t let the seemingly simple time signature fool you. There is plenty of Toto goodness in “Girl Goodbye.” Steve Porcaro’s synthesizers fit perfectly with the minimalist horn charts, and David Paich’s piano and organ. Paich’s cryptic, almost progressive-rock lyrics keep the listener guessing: “Oh there’s smoke in the air, and there’s blood everywhere, but I’m hoping that the white man don’t recognize me…” sings Kimball.

What is he running from? Why is he running? Those questions are never really answered but, after Steve Lukather’s guitar enters, you won’t care. His solo builds the intensity to a fevered pitch. It’s one of his best on the group’s debut album, which is saying something. The frenzied coda has Jeff Porcaro and David Hungate matching Steve Lukather’s intensity.

“Girl Goodbye” was a concert staple during Bobby Kimball’s two tenures, and it’s hard to imagine another Toto vocalist tackling it with the same impact. There is a live version on 1999’s Livefields, but Kimball may have actually out done himself with the update on Toto’s 2003 release Live in Amsterdam.

Toto Tuesdays is a song-by-song feature that explores the rich musical history of Toto. The group returned in 2015 with ‘Toto XIV,’ their first album since 2006.

Preston Frazier
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One Comment

  1. Peter M says:
    April 23, 2015 at 8:14 am

    Thanks Preston. I am thoroughly enjoying Toto Tuesday’s and Girl Goodbye is one of my favorite tracks. The Live in Amsterdam CD/DVD is probably in my top 2 live concerts, though I didn’t think Girl Goodbye was Bobby’s best moment on it.