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[Heranje]

Toto? TOTO?! What person these guys' age (twenties, right?) listens to Toto? I mean, Toto IV* came out in 1982–I was in high school at the time. Faye and Angus'd have to be no more than two or so to miss being thirty now.

My favourite music was made 60 years before I was born. You don't have to have been alive when something came out to enjoy it.

[Doc]

My favourite music was made 60 years before I was born. You don't have to have been alive when something came out to enjoy it.

I say.
Who would have known classical music if you've had to live in the age of the music you like.

[Muirghiel]

I volunteer this video for consideration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ip-N0H1Ig

Safe for Work. Slovenian group does an a capella rendition of Africa. Personally I like it better. *waits to be shot*

[raoullefere]

I can't resist... I guess Faye and Angus aren't in Kansas any more, Toto.

My thought, too. I'm stronger, I suppose.

"Africa" is a great song. And I listen to J.S.Bach. That doesn't make me over 250 years old despite what you might have heard about Taoist medicine...

Toto was good, very good, but they were never, by any stretch of the imagination, J.S. Bach. Nor were they Zeppelin. Nor Jefferson Airplane. Nor Creedence. Nor the Beatles. Nor the Doors. Nor the Ramones. And so on. I liked them, but they're the sort of band I've never really associated with staying power, or, as a group, with much influence.

I could see Angus liking Toto, I guess (we really haven't much known till now what music he's into; maybe he's into the Eighties like I was into the late sixtes/earlier seventies when I was in college), but Faye's never shown any inclination for enjoying anything outside of (comparatively) recent, mostly Indie stuff and Metal, as I recall. (She and Dora had a talk about what Dora considered Faye's musical limitations at some point.) Toto was wayyyy mainstream, very tied to their time, especially by that album, and, to me, especially by that particular track. 'Typical L.A. soft rock,' was, I believe, the phrase that was often used.

Oh, Toto was by no means James Taylor, either.

[Tergon]

Judging by Faye's reaction to Angus saying he likes James Taylor, and his prompt of "Your turn!", I'm guessing their conversation up until the sloppy makeouts was something very much along the lines of "What's your biggest musical guilty pleasure?"  So I think it's acknowledging that, yeah, Toto was never great, and you could reasonably expect someone to poke fun at you if you say you're a fan (Faye clearly expects this from Angus).  But they're damn good if you're in the mood, and if you like their style.  As people here clearly do!

[dwag3]

IT'S GONNA TAKE A LOT TO DRAG ME AWAAAYYY FROM YOUUUUUUU
but seriously. I'm 17 and Africa rocks. Discovered through Scrubs of course.

[no one special]

Speaking as another perpetually unemployed actor, I feel your pain.

DO we still count as actors if we haven't done any acting in years?

Hmmm... well, since most of us aren't in the union (theatre actors anyway), membership doesn't really qualify as a criterion.  I say, if you think you count, then you count.

[no one special]

Besides, everybody knows their best song was "Rosanna."

Thank you.  'Africa' doesn't even make any sense.

[Schmorgluck]

I know this video is starting to get kinda famous, but here's an impressive cover of Africa by a choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw

[Somebody]

....in 1982...Faye and Angus'd have to be no more than two or so to miss being thirty now.

Surely it's still only 2004 in the QCverse...

[Akima]

Safe for Work. Slovenian group does an a capella rendition of Africa. Personally I like it better. *waits to be shot*

Wow! That was pretty amazing. Not bad for a song with no staying-power...  

[Carl-E]

Well, that clinches it!

Fangus! 

OTP, meant to be! 

[ducks August's overripe tomatoes]

Now about the music...

We take the stuff that was pop when we grew up for granted.  It will always be fluff to us.  Personally, being a little older than Raoullefere, I can't understand why people like the BeeGees (didn't disco die?)

But nostalgia trends have a generation's delay, as kids discover their parent's music collections.  In the 70's all the nostalgia was for the 50's (Happy Days just led the trend).  And Disco did have a bit of a revival through the 90's.  So these current 20-somethings were looking back in their teen years to... the 80's. 

I know, it's a bit sad, really.  But I sorta liked Africa when I heard it on the radio back then, too. 

Couldn't understand most of it, but the emotions clicked. 

Don't worry, it doesn't make it a classic.  This nostalgia too, will pass.  My younger daughter was quite taken with Cyndi Lauper a couple of years ago...

[HiFranc]

Carl, you've now got Girls Just Want to have Fun stuck in my head.  I'm trying to use True Colors and Time After Time to shift it.

The Fangus shipper in me squeeed today.

[Border Reiver]

Don't worry, it doesn't make it a classic.  This nostalgia too, will pass.  My younger daughter was quite taken with Cyndi Lauper a couple of years ago...

Actually her newest blues-based album's pretty good...

(Looks around and hopes that the ghost of Howlin' Wolf doesn't whale the tar out of him)

[Steve the Pocket]

We take the stuff that was pop when we grew up for granted.  It will always be fluff to us.  Personally, being a little older than Raoullefere, I can't understand why people like the BeeGees (didn't disco die?)

But nostalgia trends have a generation's delay, as kids discover their parent's music collections.  In the 70's all the nostalgia was for the 50's (Happy Days just led the trend).  And Disco did have a bit of a revival through the 90's.  So these current 20-somethings were looking back in their teen years to... the 80's. 

I know, it's a bit sad, really.  But I sorta liked Africa when I heard it on the radio back then, too. 

Couldn't understand most of it, but the emotions clicked. 

Don't worry, it doesn't make it a classic.  This nostalgia too, will pass.  My younger daughter was quite taken with Cyndi Lauper a couple of years ago...

I must have missed the big '80s revival in the '00s. This isn't the first time I've heard there was one, but I never saw it. Also, "Africa" is famous enough that they could have discovered it without looking for it or ever hearing any of their other work. I assume they're not the sort to say they like the band without actually listening to any of their other stuff after that though.

Also, I just discovered that subliminal messages work. I skimmed over your post and without even consciously reading the words "Cyndi Lauper", "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" started playing in my head.

...You owe me a new head.

[Is it cold in here?]

Faye's musical preferences, based mostly on her conversation with Dora.

I was in a college pizza joint and all they were playing for background was from the 80s.

Jeph is 30 and said on his Twitter feed that it's one of his favorite songs ever.

Yes, this is all weird.

[Carl-E]

Carl, you've now got Girls Just Want to have Fun stuck in my head.  I'm trying to use True Colors and Time After Time to shift it.

...I skimmed over your post and without even consciously reading the words "Cyndi Lauper", "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" started playing in my head.

...You owe me a new head.

[grins]

My work here is done...

[ecstaticjoy]

YEAH!!!!!!!!

[Malsies]

I have to say, this comic really made my day.  It doesn't matter what happens today, all I will have to do is think about today's comic and I'll start smiling again.  Good job, QC!

[The Duke]

Seriously it is the best Toto song ever and I will fight you if you say otherwise.

I won't say otherwise, because as far as I know it's their only song.

No kidding.

Toto? TOTO?! What person these guys' age (twenties, right?) listens to Toto? I mean, Toto IV* came out in 1982–I was in high school at the time. Faye and Angus'd have to be no more than two or so to miss being thirty now.

Pfft half my music selection is made of stuff released before I was born or a few years after. 

Yeah, at least 90% of mine is from 10 or more years before I was born.

[quix0te]

In the interest of amusement value, the Literal Video version of Africa.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke7IcLc8Zt8
Its rather amusing.  I found all the Literal Videos to be pretty amusing. Sweet dreams is near the top though.

[Heliphyneau]

Judging by Faye's reaction to Angus saying he likes James Taylor, and his prompt of "Your turn!", I'm guessing their conversation up until the sloppy makeouts was something very much along the lines of "What's your biggest musical guilty pleasure?"  So I think it's acknowledging that, yeah, Toto was never great, and you could reasonably expect someone to poke fun at you if you say you're a fan (Faye clearly expects this from Angus).

That's definitely what they're doing.  ^_^  Finding out that you and your date like (some of) the same embarrassing music is always kind of a relief, enabling you both to become more comfortable with each other.  Just wait 'til Faye feels comfortable enough to fart in front of Angus -- his resilience will be tested, heh heh.  Very cute strip, and very nice to see that they can spend an evening together without arguing incessantly.  Faye has epic cute-face in panel 4.

The literal video for Africa was good, but the one for Total Eclipse of the Heart makes me laugh more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-x9ygQEGA

[Blackjoker]

All I have to say is, HOORAY.

[Schmorgluck]

Gah, I hadn't seen that Muirghiel had already posted a link to Perpetuum Jazzile's cover! Silly me.

[GG Crono]

I have a fondness for Hold the Line myself.

(p.s.: Nice strip, Jeph.)

[raoullefere]

"Hold the Line" is also better than "Africa," yes.

Thanks, Muirghiel. That was impressive. Wouldn't be the first time someone's done the silk purse thing to an older piece, though*. I do notice—and I must assume now this is actually 'built in' to the song—even their voices are a little strained on the first part of the chorus. I suppose it's meant to sound 'shrill.' Be that as it may, I confess it's at least one reason I've always disliked the tune and think "Rosanna" is superior. It'd be hard to top Toto's performance of that.

Oh, and nice to see the tits again.

I must say, it's impressive to see such a response to a post I more or less originally intended to be playing into the joke I thought Jeph was making. I'm glad to see Toto still enjoys such vigorous support. Now, anybody feel like giving Poco some love?

*A friend and I have a running debate going about this sort of thing. She thinks nothing beats Kate Bush, whereas I think Brian Molko's (Placebo's) version of "Running up that Hill" is a vast improvement.

[Akima]

Couldn't understand most of it, but the emotions clicked.

Kind of like listening to opera in a language one can't understand. If Con Onor Muore doesn't at least stir the hairs on the back of your neck, I suspect you're dead.

Looks around and hopes that the ghost of Howlin' Wolf doesn't whale the tar out of him.

I know how you feel. But I believe (hope?) art can transcend its cultural roots. In the clip to which I link above, a Chinese soprano sings European opera in Italian as a Japanese character. So maybe you don't have to be black and dead, legitimately to sing the blues.

[jwhouk]

Besides, everybody knows their best song was "Rosanna."

Thank you.  'Africa' doesn't even make any sense.

Amen. And the video was dumb, too. Hated it when it first came out.

...Aw, man, I did it again, didn't I? I just showed my age. 

[Mojo]

I have to say, I'm rather sick of Toto's Africa.  In fairness, it has a lot to do with being a professional singer, having a range in the Journey/Zeppelin style and being asked to sing that song EVERY TIME I GO TO KARAOKE (and I have to sing it, because if I don't I know 15 drunken frat boys will get up and howl their way through it, causing much bleeding from the ears)..

A decent song, but WAY overrated.

[bunnyThor]

Faye and Angus had about a 25% chance of blurting out the same Toto song. The only four songs any normal person remembers are Hold the Line, Africa, Rosanna, and I Won't Hold You Back (the last being sort of dubious).

As far as signs and portents go, it's pretty weak sauce. But I guess any excuse for public snogging is a good one. 

(And is it just me, or is that a mighty dainty kiss for such a passionate moment? And also, Angus is short.)

[Quartsize]

Puke, Angus is the lamest character in the strip.  Still love the comic but I liked him better when he was the masochistic Argument Guy that Faye would just ruin every so often.  Oh well.

Can't wait for more Dale vs. Marigold.

[Mojo]

Faye and Angus had about a 25% chance of blurting out the same Toto song. The only four songs any normal person remembers are Hold the Line, Africa, Rosanna, and I Won't Hold You Back (the last being sort of dubious).

As far as signs and portents go, it's pretty weak sauce. But I guess any excuse for public snogging is a good one. 

(And is it just me, or is that a mighty dainty kiss for such a passionate moment? And also, Angus is short.)

Well, if can channel Hanners for a moment, there's actually 10 different pairs possible using four songs (A, B, C, D):  A+A, A+B, A+C, A+D, B+B, B+C, B+D, C+C, C+D, D+D.  Now, while there are four combinations where they pick the same song (A+A, B+B, C+C, D+D), each one is part of the same 10 pair space.  This means the chance of them both picking any one such pair is one in TEN (10%).  Of course, this presupposes that the relative wieght of each song is equal.  If one song or another is more or less popular, it skews the probabilities.

[Tsietisin]

The thing that surprised me about the final comic, was that Jeph didn't use it as an excuse to mention Dune in the comic, considering that Toto wrote all the music for the movie. Everyone knows Africa, Would have been a lot more epic for them both to come out with "take my hand" or "Desert theme". This would also segue into lots more Dune references.

Did I mention I love Dune.

[Border Reiver]

[

Looks around and hopes that the ghost of Howlin' Wolf doesn't whale the tar out of him.

I know how you feel. But I believe (hope?) art can transcend its cultural roots. In the clip to which I link above, a Chinese soprano sings European opera in Italian as a Japanese character. So maybe you don't have to be black and dead, legitimately to sing the blues.

You don't, but I was more referring to the contrast between the most recent album and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

[bunnyThor]

Faye and Angus had about a 25% chance of blurting out the same Toto song. The only four songs any normal person remembers are Hold the Line, Africa, Rosanna, and I Won't Hold You Back (the last being sort of dubious).

As far as signs and portents go, it's pretty weak sauce. But I guess any excuse for public snogging is a good one. 

(And is it just me, or is that a mighty dainty kiss for such a passionate moment? And also, Angus is short.)

Well, if can channel Hanners for a moment, there's actually 10 different pairs possible using four songs (A, B, C, D):  A+A, A+B, A+C, A+D, B+B, B+C, B+D, C+C, C+D, D+D.  Now, while there are four combinations where they pick the same song (A+A, B+B, C+C, D+D), each one is part of the same 10 pair space.  This means the chance of them both picking any one such pair is one in TEN (10%).  Of course, this presupposes that the relative wieght of each song is equal.  If one song or another is more or less popular, it skews the probabilities.

Not exactly. If we presuppose that these four are the pool both parties will select from, and that they are equally weighted, then Angus has a 25% chance of randomly picking the song that Faye has chosen, providing that Faye has a unvarying preference that is not randomly selected.

Now if they were both randomly selecting, then your list of possible combinations would be valid. However, if the only criteria for this "OMG IT'S A SIGN" was that they both matched, their chances improve to 40%.

In summary, Angus trying to guess Faye's chosen song is nearly twice as unlikely, as both Faye and Angus trying to guess what the other might say.

In any event, this is about as exciting as McBorefriend has gotten since he gave up the Mr. Argument shtick. Sorta sad really.

[Dliessmgg]

You're not exact either. We look at a pair (X,Y) of songs where X is the one Faye picked and Y is Angus' choice. So the pair (A,B) is not the same as the pair (B,A). With that, there are 16 pairs which are equally probable under the assumption that each song has an equal chance of being picked. Four of those pairs are mached, so the porbability of them choosing the same is 4/16=25%.

[Carl-E]

Amazing!  A romantic moment, and all we get are probability and music arguments!  Must be the start of another slow weekend...

But really, why isn't anyone here talking about the impending relationship, other than the Angus detractors?  Even the special thread for it's nearly empty. 

Or has it been hashed to death already? 

Nevermind.  I answered my own question again. 

[Quartsize]

Because there is no impending relationship aside from a couple of weeks that fizzle out *fingers crossed*.

Actually some good can come out of this because they can finally hook up and Faye might end up all like "Wow Sven was Better, man I get along with Angus but he's not thrilling me downstairs" and then awkwardness that cannot be defeated with maximum ridiculosity happens when Sven comes back into the picture.

Not that I am rooting for a return to Sven/Faye, because if I had to pick I would have picked Tai. 

[Carl-E]

SvenTai? 

He's not that good... 

Disclaimer to all offended lesbians and FoL (Friends of Lesbians): Yes, I know damn well that it's not an issue of "not having met the right guy yet"...

[bunnyThor]

But really, why isn't anyone here talking about the impending relationship, other than the Angus detractors?  Even the special thread for it's nearly empty. 

Or has it been hashed to death already? 

Hardly. I just posted an analysis in that thread and a list of Angus-related page numbers for easier reference.

And the poll in that thread needs more votes. The sample size is currently way too low.

[raoullefere]

But really, why isn't anyone here talking about the impending relationship, other than the Angus detractors?  Even the special thread for it's nearly empty. 

Or has it been hashed to death already?  

I have had one thought about it, in the midst of my plans to destroy Toto (because, as you know, I'm all about that, all day, every day.) It comes back to something that apparently appeals to the Sven-pushers. Until the big blow-up, Faye and Sven's relationship never really faltered, whereas Faye and Angus' seems to stop and start like a Chevette with a speck of dirt on one spark plug. There are probably various explanations for this, but the most obvious one (supported somewhat by this) is Sven was mainly (or at least thought he was mainly) interested in the physical side of things and was the steersman of the relationship. This, I suspect, it what some of his frantic fans mean by claiming he's 'dynamic' (Although I tend to read it as massively self-centered, something I think is borne out elsewhere in the strip).

Angus, by contrast, seems to have gone from enjoying banter with all the baristas to wanting it specifically from Faye to wanting the whole package: Faye, warts and all. This, of course, puts Faye in the driver's seat, somewhere I imagine she'd honestly rather not be, given any number of things she has said and done. Which, of course, means it's probably good for her, because it will make her confront her demons instead of putting them aside. But it may not be as 'fun' to watch at times. Healing rarely is.

Now I'm off to the other thread to see how I've been ninja'd.

[Kugai]

I think the point was that until Angus made his move Tai  had more chance of getting into Faye's pants than Sven did after his complete screwup.

[foolsguinea]

Isn't "Africa" everybody's favorite Toto song? (Except for contrarians.)

:reads: Clearly not.

Wait, they did "Hold the Line"? Actually I confuse Toto & Poco as a rule. I think this may be the first time I've run across both names on the same page, so I just always conflated the two of them.

Still, I like "Africa." It's one of those, "only song I know by this band that I like enough to remember is by them," songs.

[jwhouk]

Isn't "Africa" everybody's favorite Toto song? (Except for contrarians.)

"Rosanna" is the one on my iPod, not "Africa".

[Schmorgluck]

Well yeah, but you are a contrarian. 

[raoullefere]

Wait, they did "Hold the Line"? Actually I confuse Toto & Poco as a rule. I think this may be the first time I've run across both names on the same page, so I just always conflated the two of them.

Toto: Semi-hard edged L.A.-style pop rock. Did some film (soundtrack) work.
Poco: Beguiling skilled country-rock, or folk-rock, depending, to a degree, on when.

Now you know. And knowing is just another piece of information cluttering up your noggin. <insert favorite garbled battle-cry>

[akronnick]

<insert favorite garbled battle-cry>

Yo-J...aw fuck it.

[jwhouk]

Well yeah, but you are a contrarian. 

No, it's because "Rosanna" was the first single release from the album (Toto IV), and was the one I was generally listening to my freshman year of HS.

[Llewellian]

You should really do a look at this actual comic while playing "Paul meets Chani" from Totos Dune Soundtrack in the background. *sniff*

[Schmorgluck]

Well yeah, but you are a contrarian. 

No

Heh.