by Jessica Shelton·March 12, 2020

To cut straight to the chase, this song was written in memory of Jeff Porcaro.  Porcaro was one of the founding members of Toto who he died in 1992. He was 38 years old at the time and passed away due to drug issues. And “I Will Remember” was written by another member of Toto who had been there from the beginning, Steve Lukather. Actually it is Steve who sings this particular song. So when the singer states “I will remember you”, succinctly put it is Lukather speaking to the late Porcaro.

');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();

Some think “I Will Remember” is about Romance

Considering the way lyrics read in general, many listeners may be compelled to conclude that this song is instead romantic in nature. And this is not due to any fault of their own. The reason being that many pop songs which aren’t about romance have the tendency to sound as if they are. For instance, in this particular track, in regards to his relationship with the addressee, the singer uses “romantic-like” metaphors such as the following:

• “When love breaks the promise”
• “Love has come and gone”
• “How did it end up like this for you and me”

Indeed it is also easy to presume that the person he is talking to and about is still alive.

The utilization of such wording was obviously was done for artistic reasons, in addition to serving the purpose of detailing the state of their relationship. But interpreting them strictly on a surface level can lead to misconstruing the song. For instance, “I Will Remember” can easily be interpreted as being centered on a romance that has fallen apart.

Narrator also has an Issue with the deceased Addressee

But either way, the lyrics do effectively get across that some type of issue exists between the singer and the addressee. Based on the first verse, he seemingly ascribes at least part of this reality to the two of them finding themselves in a generally-challenging social environment. But all lyrics and foreknowledge considered, the situation ultimately boils down to one thing. And this that Steve has some sort of beef with Jeff. 

');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();

Indeed this may be one of those cases where the singer is actually upset at his friend for having passed away. Such is a common emotion for those who are left behind by loved ones who die prematurely due to their own actions.  However, it is also feasible to conclude that the lyrics represent Steve having had some lingering unresolved issue with Jeff. And this issues started from when the latter was still around. And now Lukather is upset that he had never resolved the issue face-to-face with Porcaro while the opportunity actually existed.

Thesis Sentiment of “I Will Remember”

Meanwhile as for the thesis sentiment of the song, that would apparently be one akin to the singer recognizing that as time progresses and relationships ‘come and go’, it is only natural that we forget about certain people from the past. However, he is asserting that the addressee, once again being his late friend and bandmate, is someone whom he will always remember.

Release Date of “I Will Remember”

This track was originally released by Columbia Records in May of 1995. Toto released this as part of their album “Tambu”.

Writing Credits

“I Will Remember” was written by Stan Lynch and Steve Lukather. And the entire band produced the tune along with Elliot Scheiner.