Q: Weezer's Africa gives me very different feels than Toto's Africa. I think the chords are different but I can't tell how. What is it? Why does Weezer's version feel so much more wistful?
A: the chords and notes are exactly the same. what is quite a bit different is the drums and percussion. one thing that might make a big difference is they're not doubling the backbeat snare with the kick. and in general the vocals are not as tight rhythmically. the main differences are rhythmic. they got the chords very much exactly right, even during the weird parts (verses)