Nobody seems to talk about the incredibly inventive step-wise bass line in the intro of this amazing tune! Gently up and down with that pregnant pause just before the surprise flat note. Then the next time, no surprise. So cool! There are just no great bass lines like that anymore. McD is beyond compliments. Genius, goose-bump-inducing beauty and an unbelievable lyricist and song writer. The guy just tells his story and somehow you just get it.
My husband went crazy looking for this song - he knew the music but couldn't remember the name.....We finally found it!. He loves the part where the harmonies transitiin/rise at 2:34ish....I now look forward to hearing this part of the song.
Your comment made me laugh because I also struggled to remember the melody of this song and its name. I first heard this song at the end of my senior in HS and bought the album back then. But then did not hear it for many years and glad I have been able to find it again.
Great song from a Great Album ...a sleeper in my opinion, in my opinion 1 of there best. Michael brought a flavor of soul to the group & his songs reflect it. If you do some checking a good portion of his songs were from soul singers of the 50's & 60's. This album contains some moodful, soulful, and if you listen closely a jazzy flavor. Simmons & Baxter guitars take a back seat & then come back on the other tracks. "Saw them at the old Academy of Music" in the 70's they were awesome. Peace
Love all the Doobies Brothers music and their "classic period" from 1972 to 1978. This includes the very underrated Living On The Fault Line that has such gems as this song and Echoes of Love. Michael McDonald was the perfect choice taking over from the just as brilliant Tom Johnston.
This is the Doobies BEST COHESIVE album in my opinion of when Michael Joined. Great in the vain of STEVIE and puts me in the mood to listen to Joni Mitchel because of the melancholy_ness.
I've read some of the comments about this and other Doobie songs that debate the relative merits of Simmons and Macdonald and what they brought or in the case of Macdonald also took away from the band. It's reflective of the cultural divide- southern rock versus urban blue-eyed soul.
Why do you have to make that statement about respect full? Never let people on if they have nothing but negative comments about these incredible tunes. Crazy world we live in
Livin on the Fault line is as good an album that has ever produced. Arent you waiting for Chinatown to start? I'M NOT CUZ I HAD THE LP. I would start it over again on side 1 and replay "Youre Made That Way." I was almost trampled exiting Alpine Valley on the Fault Line tour. We were all bummed because John Mcfee had just replaced Skunk Baxter
When I was in the ad music business in Seattle in the 80's...I had a client I did music for. He was part of a large agency...I won't name names. I did a lot of work for this guy and we became, in some odd way, friends. Through it though I always felt this out of sync thing with the guy. Some years later I ran into him at a Steely Dan concert. Michael McDonald was the opening act. In our brief how do ya do he said something like "Ah yes, Michael McDonald. The guy who turned the Dobbie Brothers into a lounge act." All those years wondering came clear right there!
Your comment doesn't make a lot of sense, given that Soul and R&B got started in the South and Midwest. L.A. had little or nothing to do with its origins, and even New York and Philadelphia didn't play any bigger role than did places like Detroit, Chicago, and yes, even St. Louis. It's not about location, it's about who's playing the music. There are plenty of African American people in all of those cities.
True. But when you listen to songs like this and then Black Water, the harmonies and musicianship is all there, just a different sound. If it wasn't for Skunk calling McD after Johnston got sick, the Doobies would've been a small footnote in the history of rock 'n roll music. Forget reunions and new albums past '75's Stampede LP. These guys would've gone home, moved on and probably been sued into oblivion for breach of contract by Warner Bros. Think WB is bad now? They were worse then!
Absolutely right. Iv'e been a huge fan since the beginning and I was crushed when Tommy Johnston had to leave for awhile from ulcers, and their is no doubt that Michael McDonald saved the band from vaporing away, as the front man was lost, and they needed another solid one. Well, they got one with Michael, and the fact that he won four Grammy Awards and kept the band relevant through the 80's.- Larry G Golden, Colorado
Nobody seems to talk about the incredibly inventive step-wise bass line in the intro of this amazing tune! Gently up and down with that pregnant pause just before the surprise flat note. Then the next time, no surprise. So cool! There are just no great bass lines like that anymore. McD is beyond compliments. Genius, goose-bump-inducing beauty and an unbelievable lyricist and song writer. The guy just tells his story and somehow you just get it.
Tiran Porter is an incredible bass player and does not get enough credit.
The album that upped the Doobies collective ante.
My favorite Doobie song. They needed a great bass player to pull this off, but they had one. Great song!
i was livin' in Carmel, when this came out. sorry folks, but music don't get any better than this.
The Pointer Sisters LIVE version of this brought me here ! I love their harmonies !
A beautiful song from a superb album. No, you never get over those heartaches, but you do manage to go on...
Amen! With God all things are possible
So true...
What’s God got to do with it?
its a damn shame this awesome track doesn't get any airplay anymore. my favorite track from the DB.
It's even more of a damned shame they aren't in the stupid hof.
My husband went crazy looking for this song - he knew the music but couldn't remember the name.....We finally found it!. He loves the part where the harmonies transitiin/rise at 2:34ish....I now look forward to hearing this part of the song.
I love that part too!
Your comment made me laugh because I also struggled to remember the melody of this song and its name. I first heard this song at the end of my senior in HS and bought the album back then. But then did not hear it for many years and glad I have been able to find it again.
Great lyrics, So sorry they don't make them like this anymore.
Especially romantic, wistful, soothing, entertaining. A nice tune.
This song is givin me a heartache. Want to go back to that time
Great song from a Great Album ...a sleeper in my opinion, in my opinion 1 of there best. Michael brought a flavor of soul to the group & his songs reflect it. If you do some checking a good portion of his songs were from soul singers of the 50's & 60's.
This album contains some moodful, soulful, and if you listen closely a jazzy flavor.
Simmons & Baxter guitars take a back seat & then come back on the other tracks.
"Saw them at the old Academy of Music" in the 70's they were awesome.
Peace
A sublime ode to unrequietedlove.
Love all the Doobies Brothers music and their "classic period" from 1972 to 1978. This includes the very underrated Living On The Fault Line that has such gems as this song and Echoes of Love. Michael McDonald was the perfect choice taking over from the just as brilliant Tom Johnston.
Great Tune! And it is just nothing more than a heart ache, & YOU WILL GET OVER WITH.. And that Person as well! MOVE ON!
This is the Doobies BEST COHESIVE album in my opinion of when Michael Joined. Great in the vain of STEVIE and puts me in the mood to listen to Joni Mitchel because of the melancholy_ness.
A great little-known gem.
Amazing track showcasing MM's powerful vocals
I'm jealous! I wish I grew up during these days so I could listen to this music..
Wingman4life1 You can always play these classics, Thank UA-cam
I waited at the head shop called The House Of Sight & Sound to open the morning that this album came out to buy it. lol
FINALLY!!! I've been looking for this tune on youtube for ages!!! My favorite Doobie Brothers song - thank you SO much for posting!!!
a few songs can really teach us how to live ....
(great snare too!)
Great track ... I'm in heaven at 1:29 with that chord change
Yes...
la voix criarde de donald mais aussi les choeurs si profonds font un mariage exemplaire musical . merci à eux
Never has Mike McDonald's voice been more poignant - love this so much; the chord change at 1.29 still makes me well up
Yeah, that's nice!
Yep :)
Very great song!
One of my Favorites. Thanks for posting!
Gee, I must have gone right by that when I read his bio! Your right about the Midwest and Country Music and the Blues.
Never, ever say sorry for telling the truth dude, never!
I've read some of the comments about this and other Doobie songs that debate the relative merits of Simmons and Macdonald and what they brought or in the case of Macdonald also took away from the band. It's reflective of the cultural divide- southern rock versus urban blue-eyed soul.
Superbe song
I love this song !! Thank you :)
Why do you have to make that statement about respect full?
Never let people on if they have nothing but negative comments about these incredible tunes.
Crazy world we live in
Nice
nice
Sweet.
finally got it right
I agree.
Livin on the Fault line is as good an album that has ever produced. Arent you waiting for Chinatown to start? I'M NOT CUZ I HAD THE LP. I would start it over again on side 1 and replay "Youre Made That Way." I was almost trampled exiting Alpine Valley on the Fault Line tour. We were all bummed because John Mcfee had just replaced Skunk Baxter
agreed!
Music Therapy
When I was in the ad music business in Seattle in the 80's...I had a client I did music for. He was part of a large agency...I won't name names. I did a lot of work for this guy and we became, in some odd way, friends. Through it though I always felt this out of sync thing with the guy. Some years later I ran into him at a Steely Dan concert. Michael McDonald was the opening act. In our brief how do ya do he said something like "Ah yes, Michael McDonald. The guy who turned the Dobbie Brothers into a lounge act." All those years wondering came clear right there!
@MrWarbells
I may end up posting the rest....if I ever find the songs out of all the songs I have.
Your comment doesn't make a lot of sense, given that Soul and R&B got started in the South and Midwest. L.A. had little or nothing to do with its origins, and even New York and Philadelphia didn't play any bigger role than did places like Detroit, Chicago, and yes, even St. Louis. It's not about location, it's about who's playing the music. There are plenty of African American people in all of those cities.
True. But when you listen to songs like this and then Black Water, the harmonies and musicianship is all there, just a different sound. If it wasn't for Skunk calling McD after Johnston got sick, the Doobies would've been a small footnote in the history of rock 'n roll music. Forget reunions and new albums past '75's Stampede LP. These guys would've gone home, moved on and probably been sued into oblivion for breach of contract by Warner Bros. Think WB is bad now? They were worse then!
Absolutely right. Iv'e been a huge fan since the beginning and I was crushed when Tommy Johnston had to leave for awhile from ulcers, and their is no doubt that Michael McDonald saved the band from vaporing away, as the front man was lost, and they needed another solid one. Well, they got one with Michael, and the fact that he won four Grammy Awards and kept the band relevant through the 80's.- Larry G Golden, Colorado
Now let's not get stupid with you man-love for Michael.