Toto: Rosanna

The outfits and grainy quality definitely shout 80s, but I'm a bit confused by the gang fight, where does that come into the story? Still, a great song.

The music is pure perfection, a divine creation that hasn't been equaled and it brought Toto to stardom along with "Africa". But the video doesn't help the music all that much. My ideal video for it would be one of those corny romantic clips with some guy desperatly falling for a girl. Here, Steve Barron made a project that references "West Side Story" with two gangs fighting each other over the title girl, played by Cynthia Rhodes, at the same time the band performs the song in this strange lot while the whole action takes place. It's fine, creative but it didn't match the song idea all that much. Mr. Barron creates a nice diversion with great choreography moments (dancing and fighting), Rhodes has a wonderful presence on screen and she was spectacle as Rosanna, the lady in red who conquered many hearts but didn't seem to care for any of them. It's kinda strange seeing now for lots of reasons, it doesn't have all that much of appeal in cinematic terms but it has some fun. As stated before, the song is the main reason why folks watch the clip. Jeff Porcaro's drums and his mixture of shuffles are one of the greatest creations of all time and one of the most challenging things for new drummers to learn. I love that song! 9/10

The set chosen for this song is that of a dilapidated older urban back alley, complete with garbage. The song isn't trashy, so I don't understand why the music video reflects that.

The "storyline" of the video is that of the eponymous young lady solo dancing & catwalking around in said alley, while the band performs the song. She seems to be projecting something of Olivia Newton-John in Brillantine (1978) - although I'm sure nobody minded that.

There isn't too much else to it. The song itself is brilliant: there's lusty warmth, there's gentleness, there are passionate power chords - it really is like a musical characterisation of man's longing for a certain nubile we can't get out of our thoughts.

However, by the end, the boys are left to themselves, with Rosanna having no clear exit.

I would have rated it more highly not only if Rosanna Arquette had played herself in the video, but also if there had been more of a clear, compelling storyline - such as Rosanna & a member of the band repeatedly encountering each other at school in the hallway or what not & exchanging knowing smiles, ultimately finally meeting & sitting down together at the end.