The Doobie Brothers: What A fool Believes (1979)

About the song

Let’s dive into the smooth sounds of “What a Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers, a timeless masterpiece that has captured the hearts of listeners for decades. Released in 1979 as part of their album “Minute by Minute,” this soulful track showcases the band’s ability to blend rock, pop, and R&B into a mesmerizing sonic experience.

Penned by the iconic songwriting duo of Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, “What a Fool Believes” tells the story of a man reminiscing about a lost love and the futile hope of rekindling a romance that was never meant to be. McDonald’s soulful vocals coupled with the band’s tight instrumentation create a mesmerizing atmosphere that draws listeners in from the first note.

Upon its release, “What a Fool Believes” soared to the top of the charts, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979, and earning The Doobie Brothers a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Its success extended beyond the charts, becoming a cultural phenomenon and solidifying its place as one of the greatest songs of the era.

As we listen to the haunting melodies of “What a Fool Believes,” we are transported back in time to an era of soulful music and heartfelt lyrics. This timeless classic continues to resonate with audiences of all ages, reminding us of the power of love, loss, and the enduring legacy of The Doobie Brothers.

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…