“99” by Toto

David Paich actually wrote this song based on an old George Lucas movie entitled “THX 1138” (1971). Said film is set in a dystopian future where people are forced to comply to a dictator-like authority. Individuals are also ascribed something like serial numbers instead of actual names. And the person whom the singer is addressing, “99”, would apparently be such an individual.

But outside of that, this track doesn’t really make any more references to the movie. Rather it reads more or less like your average love song based on a challenged relationship. For example, in the first verse the singer acknowledges that something went wrong in the romance between he and 99. And we can presume it is a romance because despite the nature of union never being specified, the language used throughout points to such an idea. For instance, the singer refers to being heartbroken and their relationship not working out. He further states that he never imagined that such would transpire. 

And again going back to the issues between he and 99, he seems to be taking the blame for their relationship falling apart. Or rather it is he who is calling it quits since he has the tendency to “hurt” this person. He wants them to go their separate ways in order to prevent himself from hurting her any further.

Conclusion

So the sadness he is expressing throughout is actually indicative of his affection for “99”. That is to say that the prevailing sentiment of this tune, despite its sad tone, is that he truly loves this individual, regardless of the two of them apparently going their separate ways. But again, if a listener doesn’t know that the track was actually based on a specific science-fiction film, there is really no clue in the lyrics to point to such.

Facts about “99”

The official release date of “99” was on 1 January 1979. It was featured on and served as the second single to Toto’s sophomore album, “Hydra”.

“99” was written by Toto member David Paich. And it was produced by the entire band in conjunction with Tom Knox and James Guthrie.

One band member in particular, Steve Lukather, is known for having a particular dislike of “99”. In fact he dislikes it so much that regardless of it being one of Toto’s most-popular tunes, they rarely played the song live.

David Paich and his Admiration for “THX 1138”

David Paich is apparently a fan of “THX 1138”. He also seems to have a general admiration of Hollywood legend George Lucas, who created the film.  And what he particularly seems to appreciate about the work is its depiction of “a totalitarian state where mankind is stripped of any individuality”. 

And whereas “99” is intended to be something like a shoutout to “THX 1138”, it’s obvious that his goal when writing it was not to actually incorporate the movie’s storyline into the song.