"Takin' it to the Streets" should definitely be the next Doobies song you listen to if you're looking for something in this vein. Another huge hit for them.
‘takin it to the streets’ is THE best doobie brothers song! next is ‘minute by minute’. sorry, ‘what a fool believes’ was only made for pop chum and to get their vacation homes paid off. that song is just inferior to me. and andy&alex must mean it’s closer to late stevie (‘i just called to say i love you’) and not early stevie (‘superstition’).
That whole album is solid. "Wheels of Fortune", "8th Avenue Shuffle", "Turn It Loose"...there's a lot of A-level goodness here. In my mind, it's the best post-Terry Kath album, retaining some of their rock roots while blending in Michael McDonald's softer style (which eventually smothered them in the syrupy pop that Andy remembers).
@@samanthanickson6478 100% agree. This tune is just for Radio and just for the money. "Gotta have a single!" "Minute by Minute" is my favorite McDonald-era Doobies' tune! Fantastic vibe, much jazzier, more complicated structure, more Steely-Dan-like! Not to mention a super intense lyric and vert catchy hook. "TITTS" is my second fave of his Doobies stuff! Killer tune - a "protest song" that doesn't often get remembered in that context! Subtle, yet hard-driving tune !that'll get your spirit up, or your hackles, or both! Having said all that........the pre-McDonald Doobies are my first preference! If I'm playing Doobies for someone who's never heard them, I would NOT go the any of the Michael-era songs first. Hope A&A will do reactions to BOTH of those songs. No question they are the 2 best of the Michael-era Doobs.
@@davecummings2424 They had many a 'pop' record prior Michael McDonald entering the band, with a completely different groove. Not unlike the Dan's more poppy tunes i.e., 'Brooklyn Hold The Charmer' and 'Dirty Work', 'What A Fool Believes' fills the bill. He and Skunk Baxter continued to work with the Becker/Fagen Steely Dan projects. They were too accomplished not to, IMHO
🤘This is Michael McDonald the backup vocalist on "Peg!" with Steely Dan... He's carved out quite a legacy over the years... He's such a prolific songwriter and piano player.
I heard his duet "On My Own" with Patti LaBelle yesterday. Michael McDonald was the cranberry/baking soda of the 70's and 80's. He was all up in everything.
This tune was written by Kenny Loggins and includes the line, "a sentimental fool trying hard to recreate what had yet to be created" which gets me every time.
No lie! When this song was new and on the radio every thirty minutes, the jingle was catchy, but made no sense at all (the white man’s got the power) . Now knowing the real lyrics, and looking back through the years, this song is painfully profound!
Good description. The Doobs were phenomenal at this. People forget how many hits they had. Strange memory: My wife's dad married a younger woman who claims to have been at Woodstock. (Yeah maybe). But that age. So we were visiting at one point, maybes in 1997 or so? Saw them live in South Carolina. They played all the hits. But what stands out more than anything was endless trading of guitar solos by Simmons and Johnston. Lots of dick swinging, like they were competing. But not that great. Hey, what do we expect from alimony tours?
This could be called "The Michael McDonald Era". This and another hit, "Minute by Minute", were dominant as the Doobies decided to wrap it up. Turns out to be their biggest album ever! Won them Grammys for Album and Record of the Year. I've heard this a million times and could listen to it 10 million more!!
This was later in their career when Michael McDonald joined the band. (Minute by Minute) is another big hit during this era. I prefer the earlier Doobie brothers myself.
yep....I prefer the earlier Doobie Brothers too. This was an ok song.....but I put this version of the band in the same group of really great bands like early Chicago and early Styx that changed their sound to the soft rock sound.
To me, this is absolutely the very best of Doobie Brothers. You clearly have never been madly in love in a relationship bound for failure. That is the problem with listening to such young folks criticizing almost anything.
One of the deepest chorus lyrics ever in a pop song.... 'What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away. What.seems to be is always better than nothing.' It holds true in a broader context as well.
@@novaculus l think it takes a long time to really "get" the lyrics. I was in elementary school when I first heard this and I'm just figuring it out now that I see the lyrics posted
@@l.thegirl2581 you gotta experience it to understand it..... but once it resonates, my god does it hit you like a ton of bricks then. It did with me anyway.
This is the apex of the Michael McDonald phase of classic rock (not just the doobs). There was a period where he was everywhere, singing lead or backup on just about everything. He can get up into the stratosphere. Great piano player/vocalist. Takin' it to the Streets is a great song to do next.
Steely Dan Christopher Cross Kenny Loggins Toto Little Feat Carly Simon Bonnie Raitt Stephen Bishop Nicolette Larson Elton John Rickie Lee Jones Joni Mitchell Patti LaBelle Just to name a few.
I'm sorry but I think the Michael McDon'ald era of the Doobie Brothers took them down. Just too "poppy". Hardly up to the level of "Black Water" or "Long Train Runnin'"/
@@adrianstevens2146 I definitely see your point. The original Doobies had a Southern Rock feel, which appealed to a huge number of their fans. Michael McDonald took them down an R&B road. It’s like listening to two different bands. It all comes down to your personal preferences. For me, I like both styles, but I’m more an R&B guy, so I lean more to the Michael McDonald era. His voice was unique, which is the reason he made a name for himself outside of the Doobies.
Finally getting into the Michael McDonald doobie brothers. There are so many more great ones. “You belong to me”, “Taking it to the streets”, “minute by minute”, “here to love you”
Agree, If you want to hear a transition between old Doobies and new Doobies then “Takin’ It To The Streets” is a perfect choice. Love that song. And then there’s Michael McDonald’s career as a sought after session vocalist. Unmistakable voice - Ride Like The Wind by Christopher Cross and Peg by Steely Dan spring to mind. And of course his solo/duet tracks like Ya Mo Be There, Sweet Freedom and I Keep Forgetting… world class, S-tier vocalist!
this phase of the Doobie Brothers career is reminiscent of the split you noticed in Chicago recently - different lead vocalist, shift in overall tone, but it lead to commercial success, and it ends up like sounding like a different band than the one that started it all
One of my favorite concerts was seeing Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, and Michael McDonald perform together as The Dukes of September. They performed their own material together as well as songs they were influenced by. Phenomenal show.
Another hidden gem by them from the album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits is "Another Park, Another Sunday". Great, great song that was blacklisted from radio back in the day for some idiotic reason that had to do with a particular lyric saying that, " The radio just seems to bring me down." Stupid I know, but the song is one of their best IMO. And FYI, "It Keeps You Runnin'" is their first Michael Macdonald era song, and arguably their best.
This song is the story of my first marriage. Cuts me to the bone every time, but that's what makes this my absolute favorite Doobie Brothers song! Good choice, guys!
I saw this happening in real time to myself during my freshman year of college. There was a girl I was wild about, we had fun together, but she moved away and moved on. I knew she didn't care for me like I did for her, and I knew we'd never end up together, but dammit if I didn't try every single time I saw her again.
Such a fantastic song. A catchy, upbeat riff set against such sad and biting lyrics. "She had a place in his life / He never made her think twice." The story the song tells is what makes it so great. Classic.
I probably listened to this song ten times when it first came out before I realized the lyrics were about a dude who thought he had a good shot with a girl he had a crush on but in reality she didn't give him a passing thought. He mistook her politeness for interest.
Hey you two. Sending prayers from South Florida. Be safe in the path of Hurricane Ian. And yes, this song highlights the amazing voice of Michael McDonald.
Step back a year to 1977 and check out the song "You Belong to Me," which was co-written by Michael McDonald and Carly Simon. It was first recorded by The Doobie Brothers with McDonald on vocals, but Simon recorded her own version, as well. Both versions are outstanding!
This song sounded so different for The Doobies when it was released! Parents loved it also so that helped with record sales as well. Michael M is such a treasure ❤
And by the way, you're not tripping, you have heard Michael McDonald's voice in many songs throughout late 70s all thru the 80s. He was a huge musical force from that era.
Gotta hit "Taking It To The Streets" another GREAT Michael McDonald led Doobie Brothers tune. The Doobie Brothers, like Chicago, had 2 different careers led by different lead singers. Changing the lead also changed the sound of the whole band. Chicago went from Terry Kath being in Charge to Peter Cetera writing and running the show. The Doobies didn't completely loose their lead singer, Tom Johnson, as he was dealing with health issues which opened the door for Skunk Baxter's old band mate from Steely Dan, Michael McDonald to step in for a time. I believe Tom Johnson later joined back with the doobies while Michael was still around but not sure. Anyway, Tom's doing better and is still with the Doobies as the following video shows - don't worry guys it's a song you've already covered.ua-cam.com/video/etGV7D3hYoY/v-deo.html
Other great Michael McDonald/Doobie Brothers songs- "I Keep Forgettin'", "Takin' It to the Streets" ( my favorite Doobie Bros song) and "It Keeps You Runnin''"
When I saw the notification I was hoping for Another Park Anothet Sunday. The most musically up veat breakup song ever. You guys will be smilimg before the first Oooh Oohs are done.
I had heard this song for years in department stores and couldn't ever get the name any when I would try to hum it to friends and family nobody recognized it. It was a former boss who identified this track and also Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty. Thanks for hitting this gem and thanks Frank for letting me know what it was.
Andy & Alex clearly your life was a lie until now. Always been one of my favorite songs. I love ALL Doobie Brothers songs. Michael could sing me the phone book & I'd fall hard. One of the most recognizable voices in all of music. Thanks for hitting this one! 🔥🎵
The first half of this album is amazing. The opener 'Here to Love You' is a banger. Minute by Minute is superb as well. Dependin on You was a Simmons' song, and a great one. I often let this album play while I do things around the house.
A&A, you'll love their "Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)" and "Takin' It to the Streets"!! edit- you already heard "South City Midnight Lady" on that album review.
Just saw them last weekend in Louisville at the Bourbon and Beyond Festival....with Michael McDonald. So great...they still sound strong and put on a great show 50 years later :)
I saw them in Detroit on the 4th of July and they were fantastic! Lots of Grey hair out there in the audience but their last five or six numbers everyone was up out of their seats dancing and cheering. They closed with Takin it to the Streets it was like a gospel revival gone crazy.
The Doobies started as a San Jose bar band and became known for playing at a biker bar in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. They developed such a well-rehearsed gig that was way beyond bar bands, and never let their many fans down. They hit it big and toured extensively for several years - then Tom Johnston took ill, and Michael McDonald came in with his different style,; smooth, sometimes jazzy. Tom came back later and they mixed both styles into their concerts. Great musicians, songwriters, singers - awesome band!
I was just getting in the 10th grade when Michael McDonald joined and I was so used to the rockin Doobie Brothers music but he was a welcome addition to the band.
You're going to not only add this to a couple of playlists, you'll start hearing it everywhere because it is a genre-defying classic with a relatable theme and great lyrics. Thinking of y'all and hoping all is good with you and your families.
This song really resonated with me. There was a guy I knew when I was young. He will always have a place in my heart. I probably never made him think twice. Bitter sweet.
McDonald wrote this with Kenny Loggins. They also co-wrote This Is It and Heart to Heart. Mike was THE voice of “ yacht “ rock. Watch live Doobies to see his killer piano solos. Please check out Takin It to the Streets and Minute by Minute by them. That jolting piano is Mike. Blackwater was sung and written by Pat Simmons. The Minute By Minute album is incredible. What A Fool Believes made Record of the Year. Please listen to more of their stuff.
@@stpnwlf9 that characteristic rhythmical piano is pure Mike as well. It’s what Kenny first heard- those opening bars, that drew him into writing it with Mike.
As you mentioned, there was two phases to the Doobies, the early Tom Johnson phase vs the later Michael McDonald phase. (Similar to how Heart went from their classic 70s sound of rock to their more pop-diva power ballad sound of the 80s, 90s.) Personally, I'm in the camp of the early phase band lineups.
They had a song called "Real Love" from 1980 with Michael McDonald on lead vocal with is silky smooth. You can't go wrong with anything McDonald lends his vocals to. 👌🏻👌🏻
This song got Record of the Year for 1979. I was never a big fan of the Doobies during Michael MacDonald's stint as lead singer, but "What A Fool Believes" is a pretty infectious tune.
Am singing along! Still on our regular playlist. Over the decades it's our moving house, road trip, just grooving in general, song - good times :) 🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
I have no idea how you missed this one. One of my favorite songs all time. Then again, several Doobie Bros songs are my favorite all time. I definitely agree that Long Train Runnin is better. I'd still give it an A+ though.
As I understand it, Tom Johnston, one of the founding members had a bleeding ulcer. It got so bad he was spitting blood into a bucket while performing. Eventually, he was hospitalized and supposedly came close to death. He left the band while on tour. I don't know how or why but Mike McDonald was brought in. I believe he was a keyboardist at Steely Dan, who played with Skunk Baxter. Skunk came to the Doobies for their Stampede album, about a year before McDonald came to the Doobies, who played in their next album, Takin It To the Streets. Anyway, McDonald brought a completely different sound to the Doobies, a lot of soul and his influence helped them win their first album of the year grammy. I'm going from memory hear but I believe this is the gist to how and why McDonald came to the band. I hope this helps.
Great lyrics! This is a bridge to Michael McDonald's solo career. I would check out Keep Forgettin by him circa 1982 which was heavily sampled by many later on 🔥
@@ruuuuudiii I was surprised to learn the lyric was "No" and not "The" but it works either way...if the fool was wiser, he'd figure out that she's not into him. Meanwhile, a smarter man than him couldn't talk him out of it.
Patrick Simmons wrote and sang Black Water with the Doobies. Michael McDonald would join the group two years later and gave them the hits Takin' It To The Streets and It Keeps You Runnin'
Great choice, fellas! One of my biggest recommendations for these guys is "Wheels of Fortune." It's a great mix of their old sound and their newer sound.
There are songs where I'm surprised that y'all haven't heard before, but I'm downright SHOCKED you guys haven't heard this one. This was huge and I feel like you still hear it in restaurants, malls, etc. This is the Michael McDonald/late 70's/pop era. Other recommended songs from that era are Takin' It to the Streets, It Keeps You Runnin' and Minute by Minute.
"Takin' it to the Streets" should definitely be the next Doobies song you listen to if you're looking for something in this vein. Another huge hit for them.
Yeah, that's by far the best hit from this era of Doobies.
‘takin it to the streets’ is THE best doobie brothers song! next is ‘minute by minute’. sorry, ‘what a fool believes’ was only made for pop chum and to get their vacation homes paid off. that song is just inferior to me. and andy&alex must mean it’s closer to late stevie (‘i just called to say i love you’) and not early stevie (‘superstition’).
That whole album is solid. "Wheels of Fortune", "8th Avenue Shuffle", "Turn It Loose"...there's a lot of A-level goodness here. In my mind, it's the best post-Terry Kath album, retaining some of their rock roots while blending in Michael McDonald's softer style (which eventually smothered them in the syrupy pop that Andy remembers).
@@samanthanickson6478 100% agree. This tune is just for Radio and just for the money. "Gotta have a single!"
"Minute by Minute" is my favorite McDonald-era Doobies' tune! Fantastic vibe, much jazzier, more complicated structure, more Steely-Dan-like! Not to mention a super intense lyric and vert catchy hook.
"TITTS" is my second fave of his Doobies stuff! Killer tune - a "protest song" that doesn't often get remembered in that context! Subtle, yet hard-driving tune !that'll get your spirit up, or your hackles, or both!
Having said all that........the pre-McDonald Doobies are my first preference! If I'm playing Doobies for someone who's never heard them, I would NOT go the any of the Michael-era songs first.
Hope A&A will do reactions to BOTH of those songs. No question they are the 2 best of the Michael-era Doobs.
@@davecummings2424 They had many a 'pop' record prior Michael McDonald entering the band, with a completely different groove. Not unlike the Dan's more poppy tunes i.e., 'Brooklyn Hold The Charmer' and 'Dirty Work', 'What A Fool Believes' fills the bill. He and Skunk Baxter continued to work with the Becker/Fagen Steely Dan projects. They were too accomplished not to, IMHO
"She, had a place in his life...He, never made her think twice..."
Beautifully sad lyric.
For me, it was the reverse. I always felt love. He never did.
🤘This is Michael McDonald the backup vocalist on "Peg!" with Steely Dan... He's carved out quite a legacy over the years... He's such a prolific songwriter and piano player.
I think he also has song writing credit on a Van Halen song called 'I'll Wait' from their '1984' album.
Huh! I heard shades of Steely Dan in this. Now I know that there’s a actually a connection in McDonald.
I heard his duet "On My Own" with Patti LaBelle yesterday. Michael McDonald was the cranberry/baking soda of the 70's and 80's. He was all up in everything.
@@skiprockjr.6881 If you listen to yacht Rock radio on SiriusXM every third song will have a relation to Michael McDonald 🤯
He also backed up Christopher Cross on a few songs.
This tune was written by Kenny Loggins and includes the line, "a sentimental fool trying hard to recreate what had yet to be created" which gets me every time.
loggins only wrote the bridge.. He has his own version as well.
Loggins and McDonald co wrote this
In what is undoubtedly the best kept secret in the music business, the song was actually co-written by GG Allin and Wendy O Williams.
@@sirajaxl Ha! 😄
YES KENNY LOGGINS CO-WROTE THIS SONG WITH MICHAEL MCDONALD.....
That first verse lyrically..... fucking genius. It took me the best part of fifty years to learn that lesson. Fifty bloody years.
Magnificent song.
You’re not alone!
Droppin' the soft red pill knowledge (pink pill?)
Some men never learn. I'm a slow learner myself. Two divorces to one woman. 🙄
Ain't it the truth. And the pain NEVER really goes away.
No lie! When this song was new and on the radio every thirty minutes, the jingle was catchy, but made no sense at all (the white man’s got the power) . Now knowing the real lyrics, and looking back through the years, this song is painfully profound!
"She had a place in his life
He never made her think twice"
One of the best lyrics ever written.
Keeps sending him somewhere back in her long ago
Where he can still believe there's a place in her life
Someday, somewhere
She will return
😔
Classic Lyrics of Loss from Mr McDonald. Kenny added the chorus.
It won Grammys for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
"Takin' It To the Streets" and "It Keeps You Running" were the other big hits of the Michael McDonald era.
Agreed. Banger songs!
Yacht rock masterpiece with a genuinely well crafted lyrical setup and deceptively tricky rhythm. Artfully crafted pop music
Good description. The Doobs were phenomenal at this. People forget how many hits they had.
Strange memory: My wife's dad married a younger woman who claims to have been at Woodstock. (Yeah maybe). But that age. So we were visiting at one point, maybes in 1997 or so? Saw them live in South Carolina. They played all the hits. But what stands out more than anything was endless trading of guitar solos by Simmons and Johnston. Lots of dick swinging, like they were competing. But not that great. Hey, what do we expect from alimony tours?
"Yacht rock" Perfect description! Hadn't heard that term before.
Ugh. I hate that term.
and booooring!
NOBODY called it yacht rock at the time. I hate that term being applied retroactively.
This could be called "The Michael McDonald Era". This and another hit, "Minute by Minute", were dominant as the Doobies decided to wrap it up. Turns out to be their biggest album ever! Won them Grammys for Album and Record of the Year. I've heard this a million times and could listen to it 10 million more!!
I agree!
liked their early stuff more
The earlier music was better to me. I love this song. But Michael McDonald was too pop for me.
This was later in their career when Michael McDonald joined the band. (Minute by Minute) is another big hit during this era. I prefer the earlier Doobie brothers myself.
Agreed. To me the best Doobie Bros were the earlier years: Toulouse St., What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, etc.
I'm with you. There are so many pre-MM songs to check out that are much better.
yep....I prefer the earlier Doobie Brothers too. This was an ok song.....but I put this version of the band in the same group of really great bands like early Chicago and early Styx that changed their sound to the soft rock sound.
Amen. The earlier Doobies is more rock whereas this has a jazzy feel. Nothing wrong with it, just not my preference.
Amen to that. Early Doobie Brothers much better!
To me, this is absolutely the very best of Doobie Brothers. You clearly have never been madly in love in a relationship bound for failure. That is the problem with listening to such young folks criticizing almost anything.
Chill, brother. They’re music critics, they critique the music mostly.
One of the deepest chorus lyrics ever in a pop song.... 'What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away. What.seems to be is always better than nothing.' It holds true in a broader context as well.
Disappointed the guys make no mention of the fantastic lyrics. This is a complete song with a great sound and compelling lyrics.
@@novaculus l think it takes a long time to really "get" the lyrics. I was in elementary school when I first heard this and I'm just figuring it out now that I see the lyrics posted
@@l.thegirl2581 you gotta experience it to understand it..... but once it resonates, my god does it hit you like a ton of bricks then. It did with me anyway.
This is the apex of the Michael McDonald phase of classic rock (not just the doobs). There was a period where he was everywhere, singing lead or backup on just about everything. He can get up into the stratosphere. Great piano player/vocalist. Takin' it to the Streets is a great song to do next.
Agreed! Here's a blast from the past: SCTV lampooning Michael and his unavoidable voice. ua-cam.com/video/4JLbhEUE_5U/v-deo.html
He sang backup for like 3 steely Dan albums
Steely Dan
Christopher Cross
Kenny Loggins
Toto
Little Feat
Carly Simon
Bonnie Raitt
Stephen Bishop
Nicolette Larson
Elton John
Rickie Lee Jones
Joni Mitchell
Patti LaBelle
Just to name a few.
*Takin It to the Streets* is by far my favorite Michael McDonald-era Doobie Brothers song.
It Keeps You Runnin'
This won “ Record of the Year” and “ Song of the Year” at the Grammy’s.
If you're going to listen this era of the Doobies, then “Taking it to the streets” is it.
Michael McDonald is one of the most iconic voices in Rock and R&B. He took the Doobies to the next level in music history.
He does, I saw him in Vancouver quite a few years ago, and his voice was too much for his microphone, it started shorting out!
I'm sorry but I think the Michael McDon'ald era of the Doobie Brothers took them down. Just too "poppy". Hardly up to the level of "Black Water" or "Long Train Runnin'"/
@@adrianstevens2146 I definitely see your point. The original Doobies had a Southern Rock feel, which appealed to a huge number of their fans. Michael McDonald took them down an R&B road. It’s like listening to two different bands. It all comes down to your personal preferences. For me, I like both styles, but I’m more an R&B guy, so I lean more to the Michael McDonald era. His voice was unique, which is the reason he made a name for himself outside of the Doobies.
@@adrianstevens2146 Took them down?
Grammys, biggest album of their careers, sold out arenas, yep took them down.
Finally getting into the Michael McDonald doobie brothers. There are so many more great ones. “You belong to me”, “Taking it to the streets”, “minute by minute”, “here to love you”
Sax in "Here to Love You" is incredible.
Minute by minute is 🔥🔥🔥
Agree, If you want to hear a transition between old Doobies and new Doobies then “Takin’ It To The Streets” is a perfect choice. Love that song. And then there’s Michael McDonald’s career as a sought after session vocalist. Unmistakable voice - Ride Like The Wind by Christopher Cross and Peg by Steely Dan spring to mind. And of course his solo/duet tracks like Ya Mo Be There, Sweet Freedom and I Keep Forgetting… world class, S-tier vocalist!
Don't forget " I Keep Forgettin' "
“Real Love” is great too.
The entire "Minute By Minute" album is immaculate. Superb playing, a great batch of songs, and brilliant production by Ted Templeman.
This is kind of the Steely Dan era of the Doobie Bros. Lots of great tunes on this album, believe it won Grammy..
this phase of the Doobie Brothers career is reminiscent of the split you noticed in Chicago recently - different lead vocalist, shift in overall tone, but it lead to commercial success, and it ends up like sounding like a different band than the one that started it all
This was a Grammy award winning song and it went to #1. It’s a song you never get tired of listening to. Add it to your playlist! :)
One of my favorite concerts was seeing Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, and Michael McDonald perform together as The Dukes of September. They performed their own material together as well as songs they were influenced by. Phenomenal show.
That had to be amazing!
That must have been awesome.
ua-cam.com/users/results?search_query=dukes+of+september+
Saw them in Cleveland, OH...amazing!
Another hidden gem by them from the album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits is "Another Park, Another Sunday".
Great, great song that was blacklisted from radio back in the day for some idiotic reason that had to do with a particular lyric saying that, " The radio just seems to bring me down."
Stupid I know, but the song is one of their best IMO.
And FYI, "It Keeps You Runnin'" is their first Michael Macdonald era song, and arguably their best.
Another park another sunday is the one that no one knows but is one of my all time favorites....
Have to listen to it now
Something that I believe is missing in music today.....great harmony.....Doobies always had great harmony
Bands that harmonize as part of their music definitely offer an extra layer of depth to their music.
This song is the story of my first marriage. Cuts me to the bone every time, but that's what makes this my absolute favorite Doobie Brothers song! Good choice, guys!
Same here. I have a short video of the reception and this song playing. Turns out I walked away after all.
Same for high school first love.
Same
I saw this happening in real time to myself during my freshman year of college. There was a girl I was wild about, we had fun together, but she moved away and moved on.
I knew she didn't care for me like I did for her, and I knew we'd never end up together, but dammit if I didn't try every single time I saw her again.
Yup. Switch the genders and this song spoke my truth, from the last two years of high school. ((sigh))
“Minute by Minute” is the title song to this album and was also a big hit.
FINALLY!! This is one of my favourite songs of all time, it’s so good. Michael McDonald has an incredible voice and his Melodies are fantastic 🔥🔥
I said the same thing….Michael McDonald is a vocal GOD….no one can touch him…
best male vocalist ever imo
Such a fantastic song. A catchy, upbeat riff set against such sad and biting lyrics. "She had a place in his life / He never made her think twice." The story the song tells is what makes it so great. Classic.
I probably listened to this song ten times when it first came out before I realized the lyrics were about a dude who thought he had a good shot with a girl he had a crush on but in reality she didn't give him a passing thought. He mistook her politeness for interest.
Hey you two. Sending prayers from South Florida. Be safe in the path of Hurricane Ian.
And yes, this song highlights the amazing voice of Michael McDonald.
I'm in Florida too... just counting the minutes until power goes out.
Gonna be life changing for a lot of people. good luck.
Yes, stay safe. Good luck from Wesley Chapel
Step back a year to 1977 and check out the song "You Belong to Me," which was co-written by Michael McDonald and Carly Simon. It was first recorded by The Doobie Brothers with McDonald on vocals, but Simon recorded her own version, as well. Both versions are outstanding!
I’ve had that Carly Simon version in my head all week. Is there a duet recording or am I just mashing it up in my head?
@@djohnspangler I don’t know of a duet version. I know I’ve looked for one in vain in the past. Too bad because that would have been amazing.
_Minute by Minute_ was probably one of the best albums of the late Seventies as _Tapestry_ was to the early Seventies.
When I moved into my new home, the piano mover sat down and played this to perfection! Mind blown!
This song sounded so different for The Doobies when it was released! Parents loved it also so that helped with record sales as well. Michael M is such a treasure ❤
And by the way, you're not tripping, you have heard Michael McDonald's voice in many songs throughout late 70s all thru the 80s. He was a huge musical force from that era.
The range and beauty on this guy is nuts
"South City Midnight Lady" & "Another Park, Another Sunday", are two of The Doobie Brothers greats that are often forgotten about.
Gotta hit "Taking It To The Streets" another GREAT Michael McDonald led Doobie Brothers tune. The Doobie Brothers, like Chicago, had 2 different careers led by different lead singers. Changing the lead also changed the sound of the whole band. Chicago went from Terry Kath being in Charge to Peter Cetera writing and running the show. The Doobies didn't completely loose their lead singer, Tom Johnson, as he was dealing with health issues which opened the door for Skunk Baxter's old band mate from Steely Dan, Michael McDonald to step in for a time. I believe Tom Johnson later joined back with the doobies while Michael was still around but not sure. Anyway, Tom's doing better and is still with the Doobies as the following video shows - don't worry guys it's a song you've already covered.ua-cam.com/video/etGV7D3hYoY/v-deo.html
Came to say this, but you said it better than I would have. 👍🏻
This is one of those songs I’ll never get tired of hearing, even after hearing it a billion times. It’s perfection to me. Great reaction, guys!
Other great Michael McDonald/Doobie Brothers songs- "I Keep Forgettin'", "Takin' It to the Streets" ( my favorite Doobie Bros song) and "It Keeps You Runnin''"
Michael McDonald ... a true musicians musician. What an absolute legend. This has always been my favorite Doobs song.
When I saw the notification I was hoping for Another Park Anothet Sunday. The most musically up veat breakup song ever. You guys will be smilimg before the first Oooh Oohs are done.
Love this song, one of my favorites ❤
This song never gets old. You should do a deep dive into the lyrics on this one.
Ambrosia has some great yacht rock tunes too. Would love to hear A and A react to them as well.
Saw the Doobie Brothers live TWICE 🤪
One of my all time favourite songs. Exquisite.
That voice!!
Hit #1 in the spring of '79 and went on to win Grammy Awards for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Arguably their most successful track.
They will give it to the 80s like usual .. Many 70s songs they say came from the 80s They dont do their home work
I had heard this song for years in department stores and couldn't ever get the name any when I would try to hum it to friends and family nobody recognized it. It was a former boss who identified this track and also Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty. Thanks for hitting this gem and thanks Frank for letting me know what it was.
“What seems to be, is always better than nothing.” So true.
Thank you Adam...I seriously don't know how they missed this, it's my favorite song, thank you for enlightening them💕
Like he said, “taking it to the streets”, the production on this song is absolutely top notch!
Michael McDonald - what a great voice!
If you were around when the song came out in 1979-you'd remember the chorus-it was played constantly on the radio everywhere!
Andy & Alex clearly your life was a lie until now. Always been one of my favorite songs. I love ALL Doobie Brothers songs. Michael could sing me the phone book & I'd fall hard. One of the most recognizable voices in all of music. Thanks for hitting this one! 🔥🎵
So sad to hear of the passing of drummer of the Doobies, John Hartman. He was he co-founder of the band. R.I.P.
The first half of this album is amazing. The opener 'Here to Love You' is a banger. Minute by Minute is superb as well. Dependin on You was a Simmons' song, and a great one. I often let this album play while I do things around the house.
Can you imagine opening your mouth to sing and THAT sound comes out....what a gift...
Agreed! If you want a chorus to stick in your head, “Takin’ It To The Streets” is the Michael McDonald-era Doobie Bros song you want to play!
This is from the Minute by Minute album. Their tour for this album was my first rock concert.
Michael McDonald was also on keyboard for this beside doing lead vocals. Another great one is "It Keeps You Running"
Blue eyed soul to the max.
They need a blue-eyed soul poll...🙂 (Bobby Caldwell, Wild Cherry, Hall & Oates, Ambrosia, etc...)
Michael McDonald provided vocals for several key Steely Dan songs.
“Takin’ It To The Streets,” “Minute By Minute,” “Real Love”and “It Keeps You Running.”
A&A, you'll love their "Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)" and "Takin' It to the Streets"!!
edit- you already heard "South City Midnight Lady" on that album review.
This was my song of 14 year old, teen age unrequited love. Such a great summer for me even if she never gave me the time of day. Love this song.
Just saw them last weekend in Louisville at the Bourbon and Beyond Festival....with Michael McDonald. So great...they still sound strong and put on a great show 50 years later :)
I saw them in Detroit on the 4th of July and they were fantastic! Lots of Grey hair out there in the audience but their last five or six numbers everyone was up out of their seats dancing and cheering. They closed with Takin it to the Streets it was like a gospel revival gone crazy.
In between the rock and the roll lies a velvet band of songs like this.
Such an amazing song. The voice. The voice. Not Sinatra. But McDonald.
The Doobies started as a San Jose bar band and became known for playing at a biker bar in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. They developed such a well-rehearsed gig that was way beyond bar bands, and never let their many fans down. They hit it big and toured extensively for several years - then Tom Johnston took ill, and Michael McDonald came in with his different style,; smooth, sometimes jazzy. Tom came back later and they mixed both styles into their concerts. Great musicians, songwriters, singers - awesome band!
This was the first Doobie Bros. album I ever bought, new when it came out. This song is an S tier for me!
Taking it to the streets...DEF!
You guys will love their song Real Love, especially the chorus!
I was just getting in the 10th grade when Michael McDonald joined and I was so used to the rockin Doobie Brothers music but he was a welcome addition to the band.
You're going to not only add this to a couple of playlists, you'll start hearing it everywhere because it is a genre-defying classic with a relatable theme and great lyrics.
Thinking of y'all and hoping all is good with you and your families.
This song really resonated with me. There was a guy I knew when I was young. He will always have a place in my heart. I probably never made him think twice. Bitter sweet.
McDonald wrote this with Kenny Loggins. They also co-wrote This Is It and Heart to Heart. Mike was THE voice of “ yacht “ rock.
Watch live Doobies to see his killer piano solos. Please check out Takin It to the Streets and Minute by Minute by them. That jolting piano is Mike.
Blackwater was sung and written by Pat Simmons.
The Minute By Minute album is incredible.
What A Fool Believes made Record of the Year. Please listen to more of their stuff.
Michael McDonald owns the performance - his vocal is fantastic! But the song definitely sounds like a Kenny Loggins composition in so many ways.
@@stpnwlf9 that characteristic rhythmical piano is pure Mike as well. It’s what Kenny first heard- those opening bars, that drew him into writing it with Mike.
SO bitter sweet, the upbeat groove juxtaposed to the sad lyrics is so powerful...It's better to be the "fool" than acknowledge the truth.
As you mentioned, there was two phases to the Doobies, the early Tom Johnson phase vs the later Michael McDonald phase. (Similar to how Heart went from their classic 70s sound of rock to their more pop-diva power ballad sound of the 80s, 90s.) Personally, I'm in the camp of the early phase band lineups.
"what a fool believes, the wise man has the power to reason away..."
incredible lyrics well ahead of the late 70s
They had a song called "Real Love" from 1980 with Michael McDonald on lead vocal with is silky smooth. You can't go wrong with anything McDonald lends his vocals to. 👌🏻👌🏻
King Chucky,
Bravo sir... my favorite DB song!
The song I want to hear minutes before I kick the bucket. Just fabulous.
This song got Record of the Year for 1979. I was never a big fan of the Doobies during Michael MacDonald's stint as lead singer, but "What A Fool Believes" is a pretty infectious tune.
Am singing along! Still on our regular playlist. Over the decades it's our moving house, road trip, just grooving in general, song - good times :)
🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
I have no idea how you missed this one. One of my favorite songs all time. Then again, several Doobie Bros songs are my favorite all time. I definitely agree that Long Train Runnin is better. I'd still give it an A+ though.
As I understand it, Tom Johnston, one of the founding members had a bleeding ulcer. It got so bad he was spitting blood into a bucket while performing. Eventually, he was hospitalized and supposedly came close to death. He left the band while on tour. I don't know how or why but Mike McDonald was brought in. I believe he was a keyboardist at Steely Dan, who played with Skunk Baxter. Skunk came to the Doobies for their Stampede album, about a year before McDonald came to the Doobies, who played in their next album, Takin It To the Streets. Anyway, McDonald brought a completely different sound to the Doobies, a lot of soul and his influence helped them win their first album of the year grammy. I'm going from memory hear but I believe this is the gist to how and why McDonald came to the band. I hope this helps.
Great lyrics! This is a bridge to Michael McDonald's solo career. I would check out Keep Forgettin by him circa 1982 which was heavily sampled by many later on 🔥
The Doobs are truly brilliant.
After Michael McDonald went solo the band returned with their classic sound in 1989 with The Doctor.
Excellent saw them this summer. Us over 50 were on our feet singing and dancing.
"The wise man has the power to reason away". Great song. Good job guys.
"No" wise man has the power...
What a fool believes.
@@ruuuuudiii I was surprised to learn the lyric was "No" and not "The" but it works either way...if the fool was wiser, he'd figure out that she's not into him. Meanwhile, a smarter man than him couldn't talk him out of it.
Patrick Simmons wrote and sang Black Water with the Doobies. Michael McDonald would join the group two years later and gave them the hits Takin' It To The Streets and It Keeps You Runnin'
Love the Doobies! And the reaction videos y’all do of them 🙌🏼 😎
My own personal ear worm , loved this since day 1 , Mr McDonald at his finest I believe !! This will be played at my funeral I assure you. 👀
👍🏴
Great choice, fellas! One of my biggest recommendations for these guys is "Wheels of Fortune." It's a great mix of their old sound and their newer sound.
Minute by minute was a great hit for them
Michael McDonald cowrote this with Kenny Loggins. This entire album is worth possibly reviewing.
This is my favorite song by them
There are songs where I'm surprised that y'all haven't heard before, but I'm downright SHOCKED you guys haven't heard this one. This was huge and I feel like you still hear it in restaurants, malls, etc. This is the Michael McDonald/late 70's/pop era. Other recommended songs from that era are Takin' It to the Streets, It Keeps You Runnin' and Minute by Minute.
This song won song of the year at the 1980 Grammy Awards (for 1979)!