Former Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro candidly reflects on the band’s confidence levels during the recording of their second album. He acknowledges that they may have been “a little cocky” after their initial success.

“Every band’s first album is the best stuff they’ve done their entire life,” Porcaro shared during his guest appearance on the Bob Lefsetz podcast. “Every single band you can name, their first album was the best stuff they did their entire life. In those days, we had to produce a new album every year after extensive touring, often with little time for family. Record labels demanded more music, often neglecting the personal lives of the artists. They would say, ‘Give us another one. We need another one.’”

This was the scenario for Toto, who rose to fame with their self-titled debut album. The 1978 LP featured the iconic hit single “Hold the Line,” which dominated the Billboard Hot 100, remaining in the Top 10 for six weeks and solidifying Toto’s status as a household name. As they prepared to create their follow-up album, Hydra, the band’s confidence was soaring.

“Did we get a little cocky after that first album did so well? Absolutely,” Porcaro confessed. “We were definitely aiming high and thought, ‘Wow, we can do this. People are really responding to our music.’ Our success fueled our ambition.”

Exploring Musical Boundaries: Toto’s Experimental Approach on ‘Hydra’

Toto took a bold step into experimentation with Hydra, diving into progressive rock influences and enigmatic lyrics. While this adventurous album showcased the band’s musical growth, it diverged significantly from the mainstream, radio-friendly sound that characterized their debut effort.

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<p“There was definitely some self-indulgent material on the album,” Porcaro admitted. “For instance, the song ‘Secret Love’ was arguably the strangest two and a half minutes you'll hear on a major label release.”

“I woke up one morning with a creative spark, so I called a place called Kasimov Blutener in Larchmont, California, to rent a harpsichord, a clavichord, and a Mozart piano,” he recalled, elaborating on how ‘Secret Love’ came to life. “I gathered all these vintage and acoustic keyboards to create this unusual song, and the band allowed me to explore this idea. They supported my vision, and that track made it onto the album.”

Listen to Toto’s ‘A Secret Love’

Embracing Their Work: Toto’s Pride in ‘Hydra’ Despite Its Commercial Challenges

Upon its release on October 26, 1979, Hydra unfortunately did not replicate the commercial triumph of its predecessor. Only one single, “99,” managed to make its way into the Top 40. While Porcaro described the album as “a stiff,” he and his bandmates maintained a strong sense of pride regarding their creative efforts.

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<p“We loved Hydra wholeheartedly. Did we get a little cocky? Absolutely. But I believe a certain level of confidence can be beneficial unless it crosses into arrogance,” Porcaro noted. “Were there any tracks that matched the success of ‘Hold the Line’? No. However, ‘99’ and other songs still offered relatable themes, showcasing great songwriting and production quality. There was still a wealth of strong material on that album.”