Synopsis

Toto perform "Rosanna" inside a fenced urban lot while rival groups of dancers face off in a stylized street confrontation. Cynthia Rhodes plays the mysterious woman in red, whose presence draws attention from both sides and turns the tense scene into a series of tightly choreographed dance passages. The band's performance is intercut with the dancers' movements, blending rock-video presentation with the atmosphere of a miniature musical inspired by classic Hollywood street dramas.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video draws strongly on "West Side Story," using rival street groups, a chain-link fence, choreographed confrontations, and a central female dancer in a vivid red dress.

• Cynthia Rhodes appears as the woman in red. She later played Penny Johnson in "Dirty Dancing," alongside Patrick Swayze.

• Patrick Swayze appears as one of the background dancers, wearing a red letterman-style jacket. His role is uncredited.

• The video was filmed during the same weekend as Toto's "Africa" video, according to singer Bobby Kimball.

• The musician appearing as Toto's bassist is Mike Porcaro, although David Hungate played bass on the studio recording. Hungate had left the band before the video was made.

• The song's title was widely linked to actress Rosanna Arquette because she was dating Steve Porcaro around the time of the recording. David Paich later described the name as a composite and said it was chosen partly because it fit the song's rhythm.