The Doobie Brothers: What A fool Believes (1979)

About the song

“What a Fool Believes” is a classic song that continues to captivate listeners even decades after its release. Written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, this song is best remembered for the version recorded by the Doobie Brothers in 1978. McDonald, who was a member of the Doobie Brothers at the time, provided the lead vocals, adding his distinctive sound to the track.

The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 73 on January 20, 1979. Remarkably, it climbed to the number one spot on April 14, 1979, where it stayed for one week. This achievement was notable as it was one of the few non-disco songs to top the chart during that period, which was largely dominated by disco music. The success of “What a Fool Believes” was further recognized when it won Grammy Awards in 1980 for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. In 2024, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a testament to its enduring appeal.

The composition of “What a Fool Believes” was a collaborative effort between McDonald and Loggins. The two artists, who were eager to work together, met in Los Angeles and began crafting the song. Loggins was inspired by a melody McDonald was playing on the piano and contributed a hook line, “She had a place in his life.” They drew inspiration from music they admired in their youth, including songs by the Four Seasons.

Interestingly, both Loggins and McDonald recorded their own versions of the song around the same time. Loggins’ version, produced by Bob James, was released five months before the Doobie Brothers’ rendition. The Doobie Brothers, working with producer Ted Templeman, faced challenges during the recording process but eventually produced a version that was stylistically different from their previous work. Despite initial concerns about the song’s quality, Warner Bros. executives were impressed and decided to release it.

In a playful moment years later, Michael Jackson claimed he had contributed to the Doobie Brothers’ recording, but this was later revealed to be a joke. The Doobie Brothers’ version of the song also made its way into popular culture, appearing on the fictional radio station Los Santos Rock Radio in the video game Grand Theft Auto V.

Overall, “What a Fool Believes” remains a beloved piece of music history, celebrated for its catchy melody and memorable lyrics. Its success and recognition reflect its lasting impact on the music world.

Video

Lyrics

He came from somewhere back in her long ago
The sentimental fool don’t see
Tryin’ hard to recreate
What had yet to be created once in her life
She musters a smile
For his nostalgic tale
Never coming near what he wanted to say
Only to realize
It never really was

She had a place in his life
He never made her think twice
As he rises to her apology
Anybody else would surely know
He’s watching her go

But what a fool believes he sees
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems to be
Is always better than nothing
And nothing at all 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

She had a place in his life
He never made her think twice
As he rises to her apology
Anybody else would surely know
He’s watching her go

But what a fool believes he sees
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems to be
Is always better than nothing
There’s nothing at all
But what a fool believes he sees…