The first single from Toto’s second album, Hydra, in 1979, was the band’s second Top 40 hit when it peaked at #26 in early 1980. Written by David Paich, this soft yet funky keyboard-driven jam featured lead vocals by Steve Lukather and a very jazzy solo on the outro by him.

Many have wondered what the title refers to. Some say that someone in the band had been dating Barbara Feldon - Agent 99 on Get Smart - and that it was written about her. That turned out to be not true. Some say that 99 is about a girl who’s almost perfect but is not quite 100. Again, false. And it’s not about Wayne Gretzky either. Or the number of beer bottles on the wall.

David Paich actually wrote the song as a tribute to George Lucas’ first film, THX-1138. This film takes place many centuries in the future where people live in a totalitarian state and are referred to by number. Thus it’s a love song to someone imagined in the world with the number 99. Why 99? It probably just sounds right.

Credits:
Bass - David Hungate
Drums, Percussion - Jeff Porcaro
Guitar, Lead Vocals - Steve Lukather
Keyboards - David Paich, Steve Porcaro
Vocals - Bobby Kimball

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