99

Toto keyboard player David Paich wrote this song, which is inspired by the 1971 movie THX-1138, the first full-length film directed by George Lucas of Star Wars fame. Writes Paich: "This movie is set in the 25th-century in a totalitarian state where mankind is stripped of any individuality. People are numbered drones, and a government-enforced program of sedation controls the populace. Lucas used THX as the name for his movie theater sound system."

"99" was the first single and biggest hit from Toto's second album, Hydra. The song holds a special meaning for the band; their first official website was at toto99.com.

Interestingly, the song's release coincided with the major-league debut seasons of two famous North American athletes who wore #99 as their jersey number: controversial NFL defensive lineman Mark Gastineau and legendary NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky (although Gretzky had played in a different professional hockey league during the previous season).