by Jessica Shelton·
David Paich actually wrote this song based on an old George Lucas movie entitled “THX 1138” (1971). Said film is set in a dystopian future where people are forced to comply to a dictator-like authority.Individuals are also ascribedsomething like serial numbersinstead of actual names.And the person whom the singer is addressing, “99”, would apparently be such an individual.
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You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Toto's 99 at Lyrics.org.
But outside of that, this track doesn’t really make any more references to the movie.Rather it reads more or less like your average love song based on a challenged relationship.For example, in the first verse the singer acknowledges that something went wrong in the romance between he and99.And we can presume it is a romance because despite the nature of union never being specified, the language used throughout points to such an idea.For instance, the singer refers to being heartbroken and their relationship not working out. He further states that he never imagined that such would transpire.
And again going back to the issues between he and 99, he seems to be taking the blame for their relationship falling apart.Or rather it is he who is calling it quits since he has the tendency to “hurt” this person.He wants them to go their separate ways in order to prevent himself from hurting her any further.
Conclusion
So the sadness he is expressing throughout is actually indicative of his affection for “99”.That is to say that the prevailing sentiment of this tune, despite its sad tone, is that he truly loves this individual, regardless of the two of them apparently going their separate ways.But again, ifa listener doesn’t knowthat the track was actually based on a specific science-fiction film, there is really no clue in the lyrics to point to such.
Facts about “99”
The official release date of “99” was on 1 January 1979.It was featured on and served as the second single to Toto’s sophom*ore album, “Hydra”.
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“99” was written by Toto member David Paich.And it was produced by the entire band in conjunction with Tom Knox and James Guthrie.
One band member in particular, Steve Lukather, is known for having a particular dislike of “99”.In fact he dislikes it so much that regardless of it beingone of Toto’smost-popular tunes, theyrarely played the songlive.
David Paich and his Admiration for “THX 1138”
David Paich isapparently a fanof “THX 1138”.He also seems to have a general admiration of Hollywood legend George Lucas, who created the film. And what he particularly seems to appreciate about the work is its depiction of “a totalitarian state where mankind is stripped of any individuality”.
And whereas “99” is intended to be something like a shoutout to “THX 1138”, it’s obvious that his goal when writing it was not to actually incorporate the movie’s storyline into the song.
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23 Responses
- Comments23
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bob says:
July 25, 2021 at 12:08 am
I thought perhaps the song was referring to Agent-99 from the sitcom, Get Smart.
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Sherry says:
October 21, 2021 at 6:05 am
That’s what I’ve always thought too.
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Caryn says:
November 14, 2021 at 6:47 pm
Same here about Maxwell Smart.
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SILVIO APARECIDO DE OLIVEIRA LOPES says:
September 28, 2022 at 7:04 pm
It could have been.
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Wayne says:
November 19, 2022 at 11:28 pm
Haha I’ve always thought the same thing.
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Aprilleshowers says:
January 28, 2023 at 11:07 pm
That’s what I thought as well! Maxwell Smart was in love with 99, and she with him. She knew he was as a “screw up”, but she also knew he had a good heart so she always looked the other way, and helped him. She never wanted to embarrass him. She was a keeper 💕
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Anonymous says:
March 5, 2023 at 2:56 pm
No.
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Anonymous says:
September 27, 2021 at 5:39 am
“99” was a code among guys, back in the 70’s , for a woman who seemed 99% perfect. No one is 100%. When he sings “99, I love you”, I get that; I was in love with a 99 too. They only come once in a lifetime. Twice if you are super lucky.
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Hawk says:
October 19, 2022 at 6:57 pm
I don’t recall 99 being used in that regard and I was firmly planted in the 70’s.
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JDK says:
June 12, 2023 at 4:45 pm
More like “a 9” (on a scale of 1-10) was the term used then to describe an almost perfect woman.
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Anonymous says:
January 1, 2023 at 10:25 pm
No.
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Aprilleshowers says:
January 28, 2023 at 11:09 pm
All I remember was the movie “10” with Bo Derek. So being a 10, was the he big thing back then. I don’t remember any 99
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Anonymous Slug says:
June 12, 2023 at 5:02 pm
I was a young man when TEN came out. — Bo Derek running across the beach was just too much for me. So I got up, put my pants on, and let the theater! LOL
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Anonymous says:
November 13, 2021 at 12:52 am
A genius of pop music knew the lyric content means nothing in a successful pop song.99 is a great example of this.Hell I always enjoyed the song despite its’ meaningless content.
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MMMMM says:
February 8, 2022 at 11:19 am
I love the connection to THX1138 a film I also love G Lucas’ best film (Star Wars just more of the same — GL got his idea from kids serials of 40 + 50’s cinema )
In Numerology numbers go for letters and I had a girl friend named Cea Cea which adds to 99
Ha Ha HaReply
No WhoAreYou says:
August 11, 2022 at 12:56 pm
George Lucas grew up not too far from Steve Lukather, on the CA Hwy 99 corridor, not far o ore where it ends and becomes I-5. Though I heard about Paiche’s movie inspiration, the thought of a neglected but historic hwy 99 that ends about 35 miles shy of Los Angeles, turns into the beast of I-5 (I can’t take it no more on 99) was mildly funny. I always thought 99 was an odd song but it grew on me.
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SILVIO APARECIDO DE OLIVEIRA LOPES says:
September 28, 2022 at 7:04 pm
I thought 99 would have been printed on a jersey of an Olympic athlete who led the Americans to delirium.
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AMC says:
January 5, 2023 at 4:03 am
I thought 99 was a girls name?
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Aprilleshowers says:
January 28, 2023 at 11:01 pm
I believe he was referring to a girl, not HI 99 which I am very familiar with.
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VioletRoseIris says:
March 5, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Part of THX1138’s plot was that relationships were not allowed.
David Paich has stated the two individuals in the movie didn’t expect their relationship to last. Since romantic relationships were banned, they had to break up “I never knew it would work out…”
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Tini says:
July 24, 2023 at 7:55 pm
always sure about 99 means an admired one…doubtless…the instrumental part is wonderful…
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Tony says:
September 1, 2023 at 7:35 am
What a genius songwriter who’s intent was to raise the question was this about Agent 99 from TV’s Get Smart. Great performance by Barbara Feldon.
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Anonymous says:
September 1, 2023 at 9:56 pm
I was always suspicious that this was girlfriend #99, and he tells them all the same thing. LOL
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