Anyone bold enough to call their fourth album simply Four must either possess immense confidence or have stopped worrying about what the critics think. For Toto, both scenarios may have felt familiar. The band’s remarkable commercial success stood in stark contrast to the often harsh criticism they received. Billboard dismissed the album’s lyrics as lacking emotional depth, while the Los Angeles Times took aim at the musicians themselves, portraying them as talented players more interested in commercial appeal than artistic credibility.

Toto’s response was decisive. Four became a landmark success, earning the band six Grammy Awards and cementing their place in rock history. Anchored by the timeless hits “Africa” and “Rosanna,” the album dominated airwaves and charts, with “Africa” enjoying an extraordinary run at No. 1 and remaining one of the most beloved songs of its era. Beyond its hit singles, Four offers a collection of expertly crafted rock tracks that continue to resonate with listeners decades later.

A quick visit to any well-stocked record shop is enough to confirm the album’s enduring appeal. The striking red cover, emblazoned with its iconic sword, still commands attention today, seeming to declare with quiet confidence: It’s got to be Four.

Recording: 1982 at Sunset Sound, Los Angeles, by David Leonard, Peggy McCreary and Terry Christian; and at Record One, Los Angeles, by Jamie Ledner, Niko Bolas and Lon LeMaster.
Production: Toto