The whole idea of feeling happy while the lyrics are sad reflect someone who feels happy although reality is sad, hence you deny reality and feel happy like a fool. It's just genius!
What A Fool Believes won the Grammy Awards in 1980 for the Song of the Year (lyrics and music) and the Record of the Year (the actual recording). This masterpiece was written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. They also collaborated on the hit jams "This Is It" and "Heart To Heart". Also, this song is a great example that soul has no color and showcases why Michael McDonald is such a great singer, you know his voice the minute you hear it. One of the greatest singer of all times.
@@philippesauvie639Michael stepped up when Tom Johnson was going through his worst years. Same transition window where Skunk joined. Certainly changed the Doobies from guitar (and Ton Johnson) centric rock.
Tom Johnston isn't in the recording. He was replaced by Michael McDonald. Pat Simmons is with the long hair standing, and Skunk Baxter is the other long haired fellow playing guitar sitting down. This is truly an amazing song. Every guy can probably honestly tell you that he's been in this situation once in his life. This song helped me realize a woman I was interested in, didn't feel the same way. Ever since I don't try so hard anymore. This was almost twenty years ago. I love your work! Thank you!
there's a whole youtube series called Yacht Rock that's a fictional chronicle of Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins' friendly rivalry as they tear up the vocals of the smooth music wave. each episode is about how a different song was created: What a Fool Believes, Footloose, Rosanna by Toto, etc
This is pretty much how they sounded live back then. No autotune. No crazy delay. No jacked up compression. A little enhancement on the chorus. Talent. Pure and simple.
I feel sorry for this younger generation you never experienced real great music and musicians because everything from the 1995 to now has been just trash.
@@TheDownbeatruler that's false. I'm 52 and I have heard both older stuff like this while I'm growing, and other stuff from the 80s and 90s, and later, there are still plenty of good bands. You just haven't heard them, and I feel sorry for you.
It's obvious how much she enjoys the sound of her own voice, for 10 minutes she never mentioned the lyrics! I did enjoy the change of attitude when she took the time to actually listen to the music over the sound of our own voice!
I was a junior in high school in 1987, and was in my second year as the bassist for the jazz ensemble. Towards the end of the school year, we played a lunch hour gig in a downtown square and after the show, a skinny white guy with long hair and round sunglasses and a big black guy with dreads approached us told us our rendition of Watermelon Man was the best they’d heard. They then explained that they were in town with the Doobie Brothers and asked if we’d be interested in seeing the show. Several of us said yes, and so they set up tickets for us at will call. They turned out to be Skunk Baxter and Cornelius Bumpus. This was their first tour since they had broken up a few years prior and it was a great show. I was never a huge fan, growing up, they were my parents’ music, but I never hated them and came away from the show a more proper fan, plus I got a fun story out of it. I doubted our version of Watermelon Man was really the best either had heard, but I really appreciated their generosity and eagerness to support the next generation of players.
Fun fact: Skunk Baxter's second career is as a missile defense, cybersecurity, and anti-terrorism expert. He has testified before Congress several times.
While I'm sure they were trying to support you guys and all that- I highly doubt they told you that if it wasn't true- musicians know better. We may just keep our mouth shut and not say anything- but we never offer false praise just to support someone- that's cruel. Musicians know that the polite thing to do, the right thing- is be honest- tell the truth. You don't have to be insensitive about it- you can even offer to try and help them out with it- but you have to be honest or you're setting this person up to make a fool of themself on stage. These family members that put their kids or cousin or whatever up to going on the "America 's Got Talent" shows- when they know they sound horrible- are cruel. They should be ashamed of themselves. I play guitar- I wanted to sing- but luckily, the ppl around me were honest and told me I sounded awful. They were quick to follow that with "Accept when you play guitar- you're really good on guitar." They helped me find my way of expressing my self without having to torture everyone around me.
its easier to get someone to believe a lie than it is to convince them they were lied to.. frank zappa said (or repeated) in an interview...youll never change someones mind...thats why you want the first word not the last word lol .its why pot stirrers put so much effort into giving "the scoop" to people they just met..what a fool believes..but oh (oh ..oh oh oh) black water...what that song achieeeeeved
@@chrisross-fd3foWhen you act first you take control of the narrative and influence how people think and feel toward you according to your own devices.
My very first thought when you said you picked this song because its a "happy" song was "No! It's horrific!" I'm glad you figured that out. Its actually a guy who is in complete denial when he comes across an old crush who he has pined for and loved for years, only to see that she has never even thought of him in all that time. A soul-crushing song, but of a guy who's just bopping along in denial.
@@jeffwestcott6902 What? I watched the entire thing. I didn't say she didn't figure it out. If you read the comment to which I responded, you might see that I was agreeing with the sentiment "My very first thought when you said ..." That was also my very first thought when she said she was expecting a happy song. The big surprise is that anyone recommended it as a happy song. Do better, yourself.
It’s odd she took the McDonald era that was off the minute by minute album. I would have went more .rock this was z1979 when they had start doing more pop hits on this album!
@@garmisra7841 Every young man experiences that same situation on a smaller scale with time compressed. This is a story of a young man who never learned his lesson and grew in years but stayed the same, clueless person he was half his life ago. I’ve known some really callous men who went through women like people go through paper towels in the kitchen. Almost sociopaths. Maybe they were. But this is a dynamic that women are really skilled at. 8-)
The quote I love about the Doobie Brothers is in Romancing the Stone. Michael Douglas is reading an old magazine and exclaims “oh no! The Doobie Brothers broke up!!!”
As a San Jose resident, I am unabashedly proud of this band! I had the good fortune to work at a legendary guitar store (Guitar Showcase) for many years and became friends with Tiran, the bass player/vocalist. He lives in the nearby Santa Cruz mountains and would come into town almost every Tuesday, which quickly became the high point of my week.
I remember my first exposure to The Doobie Brothers: local television advertisements for Plateau Seven, on top of the Pruneyard Tower, with "Listen to the Music" playing in the background. Their producer had a music shop nearby, off the south loop; I went in there years later, unknowing and on unrelated business, and saw gold records hanging on his back wall. I prefer their pre-McDonald music; the album with San Jose's Overpass to Nowhere is one of my all-time favorites.
Tiran Porter is one of my favorite bassists. Feel the same about the Doobies, I lived in Santa Cruz for 5 years and in the Santa Cruz Mountains for 8 years.
Michael McDonald playing a melody line on the piano, harmony on the organ, and singing with emotion, and precision. I still struggle to play bass and melody lines together on the guitar. WOW The song "I Keep Forgetting" is like a companion song to this one. Love is an Action Verb.
I'm an older guy and she needs to change. Her constant pausing and ramblings about food and raindrops is the most annoying reaction I've ever heard! She'd be awesome if she'd stop analyzing ever 15 seconds,
@@bobbyverne9714 Some of us (us -- that includes me) are so, so into the story and feel and meaning of this particular song that the vocal technicalities -- in which Elizabeth is so versed, and explains endlessly -- are almost besides the point, in this instance. So we have to take this for what it is, and for what Elizabeth means it to be, even if that is something other than our own immediate interests. She does her, we do us, can't we all just get along?
Girl, this is the creator at his best. This is the soul behind the the genre known as yacht rock. Michael is self taught on the piano and his explosion onto the music scene created a whole new sound. From studio musician to rock star. He was working on everyone’s albums. C Cross, Doobie Brothers when their lead vocalist got sick and the tour was about to be cancelled. His influence on the Doobie Brothers completely changed their direction. Michael was on everyone’s albums. Background, he didn’t care he just wanted to work.
Girl, you have to give “Peg” by Steely Dan a whirl. A sonically perfect track. It has Michael McDonald on some VERY tight harmonic chorus backing vocals, the Man and icon himself for bass players like myself.. Chuck Rainey defying orders to “not” slap on his bass line. You’ll love it. ❤
@@0okamino Well of course! He gave it that tightness and that "pop", while knowing just the right amount of classy slap to apply and when to apply it. ;)
I think 10 different recording layers of just MM singing word "Peg" I think. Check out Rick Beato's interview with Michael Omartian on "Peg." It's great.
I got heartbroken at a young age and it took me years to truly get over it. I had heard this song long before then, but it wasn't until I really listened to the lyrics that I realized I was the fool described. It truly helped me get past it and into a successful marriage.
@@chrisbenson6683 LOL I'll let him know that everyone is not a fan :-). He lives 4 houses down the street from me. His daughter Scarlett and my daughter are the same age and were good friends in school.
Tom Johnston was The Doobie Brothers original main singer, who had left the band due to poor health, so he's not in this video. Michael McDonald filled his position and brought the band into this new blue-eyed soul, yacht rock style of music. It's almost like they are two different bands. Patrick Simmons also sings many of their songs and was there for both eras of the band.
I was looking to see if anyone pointed this out. Tom is not with the band here. It's guitarist Pat Simmons and bassist Tiran Porter (and drummer Keith Knudsen on the album) providing the harmonies.
Original idea for a keyboard/piano player was Daryl Dragon (AKA Captain Keyboard). Instead he decided to work with his wife, Toni Tennille on their own career.
These days, both Michael McDonald AND Tom Johnston are both with the Doobies. I had the privilege of seeing them in Raleigh, NC a few years back. Fantastic show!
It's crazy that she keeps talking about how smooth Michael's voice is. Anyone remember the Yacht Rock videos made with Hollywood Steve? Yeah, everything was *smooooooth.*
The Doobie Brothers went through some personnel changes through the years. The one constant was that you could never go wrong listening to the Doobie Brothers.
Fun fact about Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, in addition to being an amazing guitarist, and having a monster mustache, he later became an independent advisor to the DOD and US Senate on missile defense. Also I used to deliver Italian food to him when I did that job years ago.
Love the Doobie Bros. "Black Water" is what I consider their most diverse song with all its changes in it and is my all-time favorite DB song. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is probably the most recognizable member of the band, but you'll also see him playing with several other groups.
No way, it's Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons man! Their formative era is the one that put them on the map even if they had bigger chart hits with Skunk and Michael.
Too much sweetness can be nauseating. When Liz called it like caramel, my mind immediately went to salted caramel. The saltiness counterbalances. (Love the food discourse fyi)
Absolutely, the contrast between the music and the lyrics That's the crux for me, it's a very dark song with an upbeat feel, genius to me. I mean "I believe she's never gone away" is one of the most heartbreaking phrases I've ever heard
The older generation always thinks its music was best. But, no apologies, if you grew up in the 60's thru to now, you've experienced some of history's best musicians and their music. There are some brilliant new singers and songs today, but I miss the driving, continual, innovative buzz of exploding musical change and talent that surrounded the 60's, 70's and 80's.
Something that can't really be argued is that there was an explosion of instrumentation and recording technology in the 50s - 70s. The production techniques, also. And so much of what was written and recorded was entirely new in human history. Now, you can make really good music, but it's gonna sound like something that's already been done. The playing field was so open back then. ( The recording technologies of the digital age have given artists the ability to break away from the monopoly of the record companies, but doesn't really broaden the horizons. Yeah, I have digital emulations of 50 different classic keyboards and dozens of realistic pianos in my studio, not to mention a full orchestra, but it's what I might do with them that really counts.)
@@midi510 Valid comment. But I see the technology only as an (incredibly important) enabling medium. For me the magic ingredient was the sheer volume of innovative creative musicians who not only wrote unique music and verse, but also performed it in new ways, often making it a part of their own personality, or creating whole new genres of 'sound'. e.g. Joe Cocker, Janis Joplin, Kate Bush, Elton John, The Beatles, Tracy Chapman, Beach Boys, ELO, Joni Mitchell, ABBA, The Band, Falco, Muddy Waters, T. Rex, all the Tamla Motown artists, Bob Dylan, and hundreds or thousands more.
I can only speak for myself, but, being a kid of the 60's my emotional connections to music were stronger then. That may be why I am not as moved by present day music.
@@alankott3129 You are probably right. I believe we all experience music more intensely when young, and often have less time or attention for it as life priorities take over. But I've considered that, and still stand by my observation. However, it's possible that my basic premise for good music - it's format, tone and rhythm - is excluding some modern genres that just don't click with me. E.g. I never liked modern jazz, wallpaper noise, most scat/rap or balkan/arabic music. But I can respect the skill that goes into modern jazz, while I struggle to find much musical skill in rap or manele. I'm more into Django Rheinhardt or Satchmo. Zaz or popular opera. But there is still some incredibly good music being made today.
The Doobie Brother were known for their amazing vocal harmonies. Thank you for showing them some love. I would suggest China Grove, Long Train Running or Taking it to the streets for more excellence from them.
This song is very near and dear to my heart. When I was a kid in the late 70s, my uncle introduced me to the Doobies. He was a huge fan. This song was played at his funeral during the slide show. I always think of him whenever I hear this, or any DB song for that matter. Love it! ❤
I have followed the Doobies since the 80s and got to see them finally, at Dodger stadium then saw Michael do a solo show. Best voice in the business, a true gift from god.
"Happy songs that are actually sad" nails this one! I love the Doobie Brothers music! This was a great song choice! "What A Fool Believes" is actually part of the sound track of my life. During my very early 20's I was dating a young lady I was "head Over Heals" in love with. She had made the first moves and it wasn't long before she had me "hook, line and sinker" as we say in fishing terms. We were both going through changes in our lives that are typical for young adults. I was in no way mature enough to be ready to settle down and get marreid, although I didn't see it at the time. I asked her to marry me, but she didn't see me as being able to be a good provider in the future as I was so absorbed with creating photography and music .. I was and still am very much a creative artist who has never made a lot of money from my work. She moved on leaving me broken hearted, as she married a dentist who could be a good "provider" .. this all happened in the early 80's after this song had won Grammies and was played all over the air waves. I relate to and understand "What A Fool Believes" so much .. even more so now. "Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.." - Alfred Tennyson While the World seems to be a "Ball Of Confusion" with differences often regarding poltiics and religion, the love of music unites so many of us in friendship, and sometimes more. Elizabeth, what you are doing with your broadcasts spreading the joy of music is simply wonderful! I'm a singer too, and have learned much from listening to your analysis of songs. I also appreciate your reactions to many of the songs that I remember from my youth. I think everyone of us has experienced being "fools" in love. Best wishes always to you and your wonderful family!
Shout out to Skunk Baxter's Barco Lounger guitar rig and the iconic Sennheiser MD409-N microphone...this was a live recording on a soundstage, not lip-synced to the studio version! The Takin' It To The Streets version of this recording is also outstanding, and Pat Simmons leading Black Water is a gem. ALL LIVE, ALL REAL, ALL DOOBIES!
This is what I always think of when people think a concert has to have a bunch of naked people running around wild on stage with a 100 lasers. These guys were great live
I've seen The Doobie Brothers live a half dozen times and when I saw them in 2022 for their 50th anniversary tour they were the best they'd ever sounded! They blew me away with their harmonies, right up their with The Eagles and Crosby, Stills and Nash. They are still touring and if you have the chance to catch them, do so, you won't regret it. Looking forward to you reacting to more from them. Black Water is so good, perhaps that one next. Thank you for brightening our days with your ❤ of music!
imo there are precious few songs that embody all the 70’s offered in terms of diverse music and this Doobies classic is one of them. This song unashamedly has Michael McDonald all over it and will always be recognised as one of his best.
A great example of upbeat music and heartbreaking lyrics. One of my favorite pop songs, it's been on my Long, Dark, Night of the Soul Playlist for 40+years.
Growing up, songs like “what a fool believes” made me fall in love with American music. Years later I got into punk/pos punk, but I never stopped loving the “soft rock” from late 70’s early 80’s. Yearly 80’s Mr McDonald was everywhere: duets with Patty LaBelle, Carly Simon, backing vocal for Christopher Cross (another great musician) and much more. Thank you for this great video!
The gentleman sitting while playing the guitar is, Jeff (skunk,) Baxter, who came over to the Doobies from Steely Dan. He’s also adding vocal harmonies. Love your genuine love of music! Whether you react or not, watch the Live version of “Taking it to the streets” with Michael on vocals. You won’t be disappointed!👍🎼
@@metalmark1214 I do know that's the actual truth - my Sarcasma hasn't fully kicked in yet this morning :) It was the early 70s tho...without a doubt, doobies were involved with the Bros !
During the 70's into the 80s (Especially the 70s) there were a lot of songs that had an upbeat tone, but were actually about breakups or love gone wrong.
I've loved this song since it was released, and watching you get so much excitement from Michael's voice & the song enables me revisit my original feelings.
Deceptively upbeat. I've LIVED this song. Always depresses me. Shared it once on Facebook, only to have the girl in question "like" it. It's about someone reconnecting with someone from their past they felt for, imagining a relationship and reciprocation existed, hoping to rekindle it when it actually didn't exist, it was in his mind. He realizes it during the conversation. She apologizes, he's already watching her go even before she leaves. Everyone has regrets, and we learn to move on, but songs like this twist the knife. Amazingly good song, regardless. For upbeat Michael Mcdonald, try "Sweet Freedom".
@@paulwooton4390oretty subtle. pretty good icebreaker..i also think in this scenario walt is ted...and if hes ted he dodged a bullet(unless ted got shot i don't remember) cause skylars big boobs didnt make up for a bad attitude and a questionable ass
dude,with a much higher percentage of women than people would believe ,you will be out of sight out of mind..also their phone always works...IT ALWAYS WORKS repeat after me..the phone always works..if she doesn't answer the phone verbally (not 100% of the time but if walt here is actually your dude ya gonna pickup) then youre not the guy...if she looks at the phone and oddly goes into the bathroom..thats her guy..and before people get on my left nert.. guys... oddly look at your phone and head into the bathroom...the next time you do it all hell will break loose...so were not talking about creepy control freak..also texting is convenient but its also convenient for weasels..
@@chrisross-fd3fo To be clear, we'd already gone through the scenario of the song, we reconnected, I was open with her in person, she made her apologies, which I accepted and bothered her no further. I'm no stalker, just a fool who believed. That part about watching her go while the conversation is still taking place, the realization of what is happening and already being resigned t it... that's a real thing, for me at least. Her response to my sharing the video came later, hence "twisting the knife." I did have the experience long ago of a girl breaking up with me in a "Dear John" email - that act made me consider I'd dodged a bullet with that one.
@@walterwhitejr.445 i glad u got an apology thats not very often ...now...with reasons why thats a one in a million long shot..i have plenty of women ask me why i was breaking it off..and i realized i was just as as cowardly to not give the true... not the ...its not u its me reason...the first women who gave me the truth not the polite or "kind".. ive never been so grateful...so ive done that whenever pressed for it(its not always kind if it seems hurtful) ..let me tell you..its incredibly difficult ..to say something along the lines of im not attracted to you enough to continue on..or i feel like id rather be somewhere else...but if anybody ever gives me reasons that seem genuine...i rest easy p.s.i dont think anyone thought u came across as stalkery...maybe a bad dresser but no stalker..i just reread my original text to u and its missing at least 4 lines..after me saying get off my left nert.i literally wrote i" m not talking about creep stalker guys"..i screenshotted it cause i keep getting knocked off and its frustrating to write all this half nonsense half useful stuff just to have it dissappear.sry about that
They were my first rock concert headliner and we stood right at the foot of the stage. Fun times and a memorable show even though I was a pre-teen still then.
A warm cup of tea with honey and lemon. I went to a concert in the 70s in Sioux City, Iowa that featured the Doobie Brothers, Kansas, and Rush. It was soooo good. After Rush I think my hearing was damaged.
yeah interesting she didn't make any note of that, it is a phenomenal performance - can't think of anyone performing today who comes close to matching this!
I’ve always liked Michael McDonald’s singing, but I gained a lot more insight into the level of skill after watching the Steely Dan documentary about the making of Aja. Sitting at a console they soloed his tracks from “Peg”. Very intricate and precise multi-track harmonies of just his voice. Wow.
When the album Minute by Minute was recorded, McDonald told a freind he hated it. His friend, after he listened to it, asked McDonald if he had lost his mind.
i would recommend listen to the music, long train runnin, rockin down the highway, take me in your arms,without you. all these tunes are with the original members tom johnston and pat simmons. michael mcdoanld joined the band later on in the 70s. these early songs are much more rocking tunes!!!
The guitarist in the yellow shirt and sunglasses is Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who played in The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, and Spirit, amongst other bands. His study of the mathematics and algorithms of music convolutedly (it's an interesting story, search engines are your friend) led him to the mathematics and algorithms of, interestingly, missile defense systems, and he's now a missile defense strategy consultant to the US military and Congress. This reminds me a lot of my late brother Greg, an excellent guitarist, who was also a satellite launch, orbit, and deployment programmer, and told me more than once it was a lot more similar to music than people would expect.
I love Saturday In The Park by Chicago as a happy song". I grew up with all the Chicago area bands and Ides Of March and Chicago were playing the schools I went to. Styx too!
Chicago is the soundtrack of my early childhood and I didn't really understand that until just recently. They were truly amazing. Such a shame what their manager did to them.
Just saw them a couple of months ago! They're touring with both Tom Johnston and Michael McDonald, so they're doing all their greatest hits, from both eras of the band. It was great!
Here’s a fascinating person. Jeff Baxter is the guitarist who is sitting and not singing. In this tune the bouncy synth-like part is actually Baxter playing a guitar part using only analog effects. Baxter is one of those people who played with nearly everyone - in fact, he was a member of Steely Dan for some years. In addition to his work as a musician, he is also a self-educated expert in satellite communication who has worked as a consultant to the NSA and the Department of Defense for a number of years. Wow. He’s truly fascinating.
Doobies are great. I think Listen To The Music is one of their best, great upbeat & feel good track. Long Train Runnin’ another excellent one (studio/album version). For Michael though, you’ve got to check out either I Keep Forgettin’ or his duet with Patti LaBelle in On My Own. Incredible voice.
This song oozes pure class - of musicianship, and talent. It has become an absolute classic in popular music, and rightly so. Elisabeth, you're absolutley right, some men - that it to say some people - just have to accept that the person they might be infatuated with has already made their choice and said yes to the person they want to share their lives with. It is sometimes tough but d'ya know what? Get over it and move on, there will be someone out there right for you. And that's the theme of this song, a misinterpretation, misunderstanding, crossed wires or whatever but getting over it with reasoning - what did Sting sing? " If you love someone, let them go".
That was sweet to hear you talk about your 2 guys. I remember my wife saying stuff like that, which was quickly followed by "but the kitchen is not going to paint itself!!" What a fool believes.
