@bluegroove777: The Story Behind the Song: Michael McDonald - "What a Fool Believes" 📺 The song opens with only a handful of notes. Just Michael McDonald and that electric piano, tumbling down like a waterfall. And the story of how that song came to exist is quite something l: a tale of two siblings, an open door, and a melody caught in mid air. 🎙️ "What a Fool Believes" is a marvel of construction. Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins wrote it together in a session as legendary as it is funny... but the results were no joke: The song went on to win both Song of the Year AND Record of the Year at the 1980 Grammys, a rare double that only a handful of records have ever pulled off. And it did it without a single guitar solo, almost unheard of for a chart-topping hit in 1979. But the whole thing rides on McDonald's keyboard, that aching melody, that unmistakable voice, and not a whole lot else. 📀 That's the secret hiding in plain sight here: restraint. Listen to how much SPACE there is in this song. The instruments don't crowd each other. Nobody's showing off. The genius is in what's left out... the gaps between the notes... the patience of the groove... the way McDonald's voice floats in the open air like a smooth summer breeze. In an era of arena rock and guitar heroics, the Doobies built a number 1 smash out of leaving space for a hook so perfect it didn't need decoration. 🌍 And maybe that's the lesson worth carrying from this one. We live in a world that constantly tells us MORE is the answer... more volume... more notes... more flash... more noise to drown out the competition. "What a Fool Believes" is a quiet rebuttal. It says the strongest statement is often the most economical one. So find your handful of notes. Find your hook. The thing only YOU can say, said cleanly, with room around it to breathe. You don't have to fill every silence to be unforgettable. Sometimes the space IS the song. -Bluegroove 💙🎶 #music #History #interview #podcast #funk Soul / R&B / Funk / Rock 🎥 Recorded Live at Analog ♪ Song: "What a Fool Believes" ♪ Songwriters: Michael McDonald & Kenny Loggins ♪ Original Album: The Doobie Brothers - Minute by Minute (Warner Bros. 1978) ♪ Awards: 1980 Grammys: Song of the Year & Record of the Year ♪ Chart Peak: no. 1 Billboard Hot 100
BlueGroove
Region: US
Thursday 11 June 2026 18:50:51 GMT
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Don Miguel Record Store :
Love Michael McDonald. Of course he belongs to the 70s and 80s legendary musicians! 😏😏😏
2026-08-03 08:30:16
1
The-Riddem-Man :
his voice is so unique
2026-08-03 18:41:54
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Silverfox Cowboy :
what a great story
2026-08-02 11:45:09
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Holly :
Love love love Michael McDonald
2026-06-11 21:49:08
227
Brian Douglas Harris :
Some say that he ruined the doobies but I say he helped them reinvent themselves.
2026-06-12 12:08:09
120
iamheasurhe :
Kenny Loggins is a genius
2026-06-11 22:50:18
155
Christine Gallowan :
How do we get Kenny Loggins inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
2026-06-13 02:01:21
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myopticvision :
Geniuses at work. Great story.
2026-06-11 22:27:07
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bluesdaddy411 :
I met him once at the airport in St. Louis, his home town.
He was walking out of a Taco Bell with his sister and a small child.
I meandered near the exit, So that I would be walking toward him as he left. I simply walked up, extended my hand and said,
"Hello Michael, I've really enjoy your music."
I did not ask for a picture or an autograph; I just expressed my appreciation for his work. To my surprise, he started asking me questions about myself, and the whole time I was thinking, "No, let's talk about you!"
I had so many questions I wanted to ask (as a musician myself), but he politely excused himself to be with his sister, and left with a very polite goodbye, "nice to have met you."
His speaking, voice was very normal/natural, with no hint of what comes out when that man sings. It is often said that meeting your heroes can be disappointing, but certainly not with Michael.
2026-06-13 04:03:37
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HampKnits :
I saw the Doobies on tour last year. I am still at a loss for words to describe the feeling of hearing all these songs live.
2026-06-12 06:32:34
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Michelle 💙 :
I listened to him all the time. I listened to Kenny Loggins all the time. I listen to Michael McDonald singing back up for Kenny Loggins.
2026-06-12 14:02:15
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BigBennyRadio ❌ :
Look up track 7 on Kenny’s “Nightwatch” album. You’re welcome. 😳🎵🔥
2026-06-12 02:48:04
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user672924654567 :
If you like this song, check out the HBO Documentary, Music Box: Yacht Rock
2026-06-13 04:12:25
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Robert Doud :
One time on a date at a karaoke bar i sang this song and after i finished (nailed it btw) the person i was on a date with said “god i hate that song.” Needless to say it didnt work out. But what a fool believes i guess 😂
2026-06-12 16:02:15
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taunta :
I was a bodyguard in Nashville many years ago and Paul Riser and Peter Faulk were there for the film festival. They were the first two people I got to escort. Both were truly really cool and nice. Have a funny story from the men's room but that will have to wait lol
2026-06-11 21:18:35
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Lady Peanuts :
Michael McDonald is a national treasure
2026-06-12 23:52:13
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Deja ReVue :
And it became song of the year 1979, amazing how greatness is created
2026-06-12 15:53:08
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songsofmychildhood :
I love hearing the stories behind the music
2026-06-13 14:44:39
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sarahfisher0723 :
I could listen to his stories all day
2026-06-12 11:43:10
22
ladavisjr :
That's good stuff right there! 🔥🔥🔥
2026-06-13 01:12:37
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Ray L :
Probably the most underrated keyboardist in music. Huge talent.
2026-06-12 10:41:32
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Jeffdavi Sr :
Michael McDonald is amazing- Great song “what a fool believes”.
2026-06-12 05:22:26
26
authenticvkk :
Will forever love him and his voice.
2026-06-11 23:42:49
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The Dude :
Classic!😎🤙❤️
2026-06-11 19:35:43
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mattclark853 :
Wow... never knew his regular talking voice is completely different than his singing voice... Such an amazing talent..
2026-06-12 03:04:39
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