Holyanna

"Holyanna"
Single by Toto
from the album Isolation
B-side	"Mr. Friendly"
Released	January 1985
Recorded	1984
Length	4:19 (album version) 3:53 (single edit)
Label	Columbia
Songwriters	David Paich Jeff Porcaro
Toto singles chronology
"Dune (Desert Theme)" (1984) "Holyanna" (1985) "How Does It Feel" (1985)

"Holyanna" is a song by the American rock band Toto. It was released as the final song and third single from their fifth studio album Isolation . It was written by keyboardist David Paich and drummer Jeff Porcaro. It peaked at No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 as the second charting single from Isolation, following "Stranger in Town. ^[1]

The song features former member Bobby Kimball performing on backing vocals. "Holyanna" also received a music video, which was produced by Simon Fields. ^[2]

Reception

Billboard described "Holyanna" as featuring "jumpy rock n’ roll observations of life in high school’s fast lane." ^[3] Cashbox called "Holyanna" a "good single" with "punchy" horns and an "airtight sound". They also wrote that the song "utilizes acoustic guitars and pure pop hooks with a countryish lyric and melodic sound", which they believed was indicative of "another CHR hit." ^[4]

Track listing

1. "Holyanna" - 3:53
2. "Mr. Friendly" - 4:18

Personnel

Toto

• Fergie Frederiksen – backing vocals
• Steve Lukather – guitars, backing vocals
• David Paich – keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocals
• Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronic sounds
• Mike Porcaro – bass
• Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Mike Cotten – additional synthesizers
• Lenny Castro – congas, percussion
• Joe Porcaro – percussion
• Tom Scott – saxophones
• Chuck Findley – trumpet
• Jerry Hey – trumpet
• Bobby Kimball – backing vocals

Chart performance

Chart (1985)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100 [5]	71

References

1. "Billboard". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. February 16, 1985. p. 75. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
2. "New Video Clips" (PDF). Billboard . March 9, 1985. p. 39. Retrieved December 2, 2025– via World Radio History.
3. "Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . February 2, 1985. p. 82. Retrieved December 2, 2025– via World Radio History.
4. "Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox . February 2, 1985. p. 7. Retrieved December 2, 2025– via World Radio History.
5. "Toto Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2025.