Toto is an informal language that originated in Spain and is used in speaking Spanish, among other languages, as well as in some spoken foreign languages. It is a past participle of the verb to be. For example, estas (lit., “into”), “estar” (lit., “to be”), and “estebadas” (lit., “through”). In Spanish, the word for toto is “torga”. In common use, toto is used for all kinds of phrases involving objects of human activity: talking, eating, buying, selling, greeting, crying, laughing, etc.
Toto is spoken in many countries all over the world, including the Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia. Because it is written in upper case letters, in most languages it has come to be known as Toto. The reason for this is that Toto has been borrowed from a number of languages and its pronunciation has varied greatly between different tongues and countries where it has had an impact. The most famous variation is the spelling change that Toto has undergone. In the United States, when someone says “Toto”, the sound they make is almost identical to the Japanese “TO-TA”. Singapore, on the other hand, has made a unique spelling change: it now uses “TA” for all tenses except the present.
When American rock band Phish performed at the Knickers in Chicago in May of 2021, their set list included tracks from three of their popular albums. One of them was Porcupine Tree’s breakthrough album Year of the Goat. The audience response was so overwhelming, that Phish decided to play three additional songs from the album at the concert. The set list also included Horse With No Name by Suicidal Tendencies. The lyrics to both songs are very similar and their connection may have helped to shape the world’s favorite rock band into the group that we know today. Some other tracks from the album that are favorites among fans include I Remember You, Here, There, Hallelujah, and Stairway to Heaven.
The second best-known version of the story is the story of To Tango, which was composed by Argentinean street musician and singer Domino. Like Porcupine Tree, To Tango was inspired by the world’s music. Domino wrote the music for his album while he was living with his grandmother, a Spanish immigrant. He was able to overcome his language barriers and learn how to play the piano, which gave him the inspiration to create his own musical style that would eventually become to Tango.
A year after the release of To Tango, American hard rock band Guns’ n Roses hired former Spain dancer and modeless Maribelitorio Rios to perform in some of their concerts as a replacement for their lead singer, Slash. The band was so impressed with her performance that they signed her to their label, but it was not until To Tango that she began to gain popularity in the United States. She was able to maintain her popularity through the years by consistently touring with the band. She even appeared on a few singles for Guns N Roses. Maribelitorio Rios holds the distinction of being the only female member of Guns N Roses to have a solo recording for her single “Reelin’ in the Years”.
After To Tango was released, Guns N Roses went on to form their very own band called Epstance. The lineup that this band had consists of reformed guitarist, throats singer, and occasional dancer, Mattielli, along with a few other musicians that had either joined the band or were part of the previous band. The name of the band changed to Velvet Revolver shortly after the group’s formation. They released their first full length album called Live Again in the spring of 2021 and have been touring ever since.