1979 Toto – 99 (US: #26)
“99“ is a song by the American rock band Toto. The song appeared on the Hydra album in 1979. When released as a single, it reached number 26 on the Billboard charts.
The song was written as a tribute to George Lucas’ film THX 1138 and the music video resembles a scene in the movie. In the video, as in the movie scene where the main character (named “THX-1138”) is imprisoned, the room is completely white and everyone is wearing a white jumpsuit. Toto Legend, the former official International Toto Fan Club newsletter, reviewed the video:
’99’ was predominantly a performance video, though the set design was rather conceptual. Following David Paich’s intention regarding the lyrics, about a sterile society in which names are forgotten and love forbidden, the set was sterile white, with various sized sculptured 99’s hanging and standing about, and the band was clad in futuristic white jumpsuits. There were some notable shots in this one — keyboard close-ups and an artistic view of Jeff through a transparent drum head, a technique that several popular videos have copied since.
Album

Hydra is the second studio album by American rock band Toto, released in 1979. It reached #37 on the Billboard Pop Albums. While most of the album’s singles failed to make any impact in the charts, “99”, a song inspired by the 1971 science fiction movie THX 1138, reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. […]
Musicians
Bass | David Hungate |
Drums | Jeffrey Porcaro |
Guitar | Steve Lukather |
Keyboards | David Paich |
Keyboards | Steve Porcaro |
Vocals | Steve Lukather |
Produced By
Toto
Tom Knox
Songwriters
David Paich
Charts
US: #26
UK: –
November 27, 2015 @ 16:37
Steve porcaro holding the sword! Love mama 99 hydra and st George and the dragon!
November 27, 2015 @ 18:18
Love the entire album!! Their best i think.
November 27, 2015 @ 21:30
You mean Steve Lukather holding the sword
November 27, 2015 @ 21:40
It is Steve Porcaro holding the sword, not Steve Lukather
November 27, 2015 @ 21:43
ok ok take it easy …:)
November 27, 2015 @ 21:45
No hard feelings, actually it is a frequently asked question: who is holding the sword?
November 27, 2015 @ 21:46
The other question: what happened to that sword? (no clue here)