"Pamela" is a song written by David Paich and Joseph Williams and performed by American rock band Toto for their 1988 album The Seventh One. It was the first US single from the album, peaking at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their final Billboard Hot 100 hit to date. It also reached No. 9 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It is also the penultimate track by Toto to chart on the Adult contemporary chart until "Anna" was released.
In Europe, "Pamela" was the second single, as "Stop Loving You" was selected as the lead single from the album instead.
Contents
Background
The song was written by David Paich and Joseph Williams. Paich had first written the chorus, music and words, including the name, "Pamela". Williams happened to be dating a woman at the time named "Pamela", and had already written a song for her by the same name. The chorus of Williams's song was used in the bridge, and Williams wrote new words and melody for the verses as well.
In the United States, "Pamela" was the first single released from The Seventh One. According to Steve Lukather, the band's guitarist, the single had received considerable support from Al Teller, who at the time was the head of Columbia Records. Roughly a week after Teller had met with the band to celebrate the commercial success of The Seventh One, Teller had left Columbia Records. Lukather believed that Teller's departure from the label deprived the single of additional support, thus preventing it from ascending further up the charts.
Critical reception
Cashbox called "Pamela" "a beautifully conceived tune, replete with the wonderful production ideas that the band is famous for." Billboard believed that "Pamela" was "better than anything on the last album". Music & Media called the song a "funky semi-ballad that will undoubtedly do well."
Personnel
Toto
Joseph Williams – lead vocals, backing vocals
Steve Lukather – guitars, backing vocals
David Paich – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
Mike Porcaro – bass
Jeff Porcaro – drums, tambourine
Additional musicians
Joe Porcaro – vibraphone
Steve Porcaro – synthesizers
Gary Herbig – alto saxophone
Tom Scott – tenor saxophone, horn arrangements
Jim Horn – baritone saxophone
Jerry Hey – trumpet
Gary Grant – trumpet
Chuck Findley – trumpet
James Pankow – trombone
Tom Kelly – backing vocals