1982 No. 1 Hit Has Been Ranked the Greatest Soft Rock Song Ever — Beating Decades of Classics
An iconic 1982 chart-topper has been ranked as the greatest soft rock song of all time. It had to beat out dozens of massive hits from talented artists to claim the top spot. Toto's 'Africa' is so instantly recognizable that people around the world know it within just a few seconds.
The song's ranking places it ahead of countless soft rock classics, including tracks from icons like Tina Turner, Elton John, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Billy Joel, and the Eagles.
Toto’s 'Africa' Listed as the Greatest Soft Rock Song of All-Time
Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images
Between acts like Peter Gabriel, Cyndi Lauper, Phil Collins, Pat Benatar, Sting, Journey, and countless others, lots of iconic soft rock songs have been released over the decades. With its softer melodies, slow tempos, and warm feel, the music genre enjoys a near-universal appeal. As such, any track that would be named the greatest would have to be utterly beloved by the masses, and Toto's 'Africa' certainly fits the bill.
On Amazon Music's "100 Greatest Soft Rock Songs" curated list, 'Africa' by Toto sits at the very top. Another Toto track also appears on the list, 'Rosanna,' which is included at number 67. Importantly, Amazon's ranking wasn't the first time that 'Africa' has appeared on an esteemed list. Rolling Stone ranked it at No. 452 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list and included it as one of 1982's best tracks. Additionally, Ultimate Classic Rock named it the 28th best yacht rock song ever in 2025. All of this only underscores the song's enduring status.
Released in North America on October 7, 1982, 'Africa' debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 weeks later, on October 30. The song would eventually reach No. 1 on February 5, 1983, and spend a total of 21 weeks on the chart in total. Its influence is another strong reason it deserves the top soft rock spot. A 2018 Ultimate Classic Rock piece highlighted dozens of covers, samples, and appearances in movies and TV shows that keep the song alive.
'Africa' truly transports listeners to another place, which has helped it to stand the test of time beautifully. Perhaps its greatest strength is that it is a soft rock song that inspires fans to belt out every word at the top of their lungs.