What a Fool Believes

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning a classic for you today: "What a Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers from their 1978 album Minute by Minute. This tune, co-written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1979 and snagged Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 1980. It’s a pinnacle of yacht rock, earning a perfect 100 on the "Yachtski Scale" from the Beyond Yacht Rock podcast crew, who call it the song all others are measured against. The story behind it? Picture a guy meeting an old flame, convinced he can rekindle something, while she’s just being polite, barely remembering him. Michael McDonald told The Guardian that he started the song at his piano, and when Loggins dropped by, he’d already had the hook—"She had a place in his life"—ready to go. By the next day, they’d nailed it, drawing on nostalgic vibes from records like The Four Seasons.

Recording this track was no easy feat. The Doobie Brothers struggled through countless takes, with producer Ted Templeman even jumping on drums alongside Keith Knudsen to get that "floppy feel." Templeman got so desperate he sliced up the master tape, piecing together a version the band could live with. McDonald layered in the synths, vocals, and strings, giving it that soulful, wistful edge. Fun fact: there’s a 12-inch disco version mixed by Jim Burgess that runs over five minutes with a beefed-up bass and drumbeat, peaking at number 40 on Billboard’s Disco Action Chart. Oh, and here’s a wild one—Michael Jackson once jokingly claimed he sang backing vocals on it, a claim the band later debunked. Loggins also cut his own jazzy version for his 1978 album Nightwatch, released months before the Doobies’ take, but he let them have the single, which became the definitive hit.

Now, let’s talk about how The Doobie Brothers got rolling. Formed in San Jose, California, in 1970, the band started when drummer John Hartman, fresh from a failed Moby Grape reunion, linked up with singer-guitarist Tom Johnston. They pulled in guitarist Patrick Simmons and bassist Dave Shogren, blending rock, folk, and R&B into a sound that defined their early years. Named after a nod to their love for "doobies" (you know what we mean, Zoo Freaks), they built a following playing biker bars and local gigs. By 1971, their self-titled debut dropped, but it was 1972’s Toulouse Street with hits like "Listen to the Music" that put them on the map. The band’s lineup shifted often, with Michael McDonald joining in 1975 after Steely Dan’s Jeff "Skunk" Baxter recommended him to fill in for an ailing Johnston. McDonald’s soulful voice and keyboard chops steered them toward the smoother sound of Minute by Minute, cementing their 1970s dominance.

Want to keep up with The Doobie Brothers? Check out their official site at thedoobiebrothers.com. They’re active on socials, too—follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for tour updates and throwback vibes. Fans are all in, with groups like the Doobie Brothers Fan Club on Facebook keeping the love alive. For more fan action, scope out doobiebros.com, a fan-run site packed with band history and community buzz. So, crank up "What a Fool Believes," Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the groovy vibes flowing!