Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. L--The Doobie Brothers: What a Fool Believes

If there is one topic that pop music examines with proficiency, it is love.  Granted, at times it can be simplistic and overwrought, but at its best it is realistic and heartfelt.  Who among us hasn't heard at least one song dealing with the joy and pain of love that was a lightning bolt/dagger on a personal level?  Damned few I'd suppose.  Unlike last week's tune, which dealt with a would be gypsy who just can't stay away from his love too long, this week we're dealing with a man whose love "never really was."

Like many folks of a certain age who were introduced to rock and roll in the seventies, I recall the Doobie Brothers with a certain fondness.  They had a nice string of catchy singles, I saw them in concert, and when, every now and again these days, the odd song of theirs plays on a store PA while I'm shopping, it'll bring a smile.  While they'd never make my top 100 bands of all time, they were certainly a serviceable little band whose music I enjoyed.

Much to my surprise, they were a lot more than that, at least on a popular level.  I recall their Grammy's in the early eighties, but I had no idea that over the course of the last 45 years they had accumulated 11 platinum and/or gold albums (their Best Of  has sold over 10 million copies), six top ten albums (including one at #1), and five top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 (including two #1s, both I'm certain with a bullet).  All from a band that before yesterday I could only recall the names of three members (Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter).

Released in 1979 on their Minute by Minute album, "What a Fool Believes" was written by McDonald and Kenny Loggins (whose work with Loggins and Messina I loved, and who solo work is purity shit) and as noted above, details the story of a man reuniting with an old flame who was never really such.  It would eventually reach #1 on the charts and take home the Grammy for song of the year.  The song's strengths are in McDonald's vocals (never my favorite blue-eyed soul singer, but he absolutely nails this one) which are unflinchingly honest but never maudlin, and the lyrics, which capture perfectly the ever hopeful nature of the oblivious.  See the man with the stars in his eyes, see the woman with the polite smile, watch her walk away, watch him pretend she'll come back--a movie could literally be made of the picture McDonald and Loggins create,  The rhythm section is jaunty throughout, but the keyboard work is just heartsore enough to make it all work.  Add in some stunning harmony vocals and you have a classic love song that really isn't a love song.  Sort of like a love that "never really was...."

Truer words:  "But what a fool believes he sees/No wise man has the power to reason away...."

Enjoy:

Peace,
emaycee