The Doobie Brothers ~ What A Fool Believes 1978 Disco Purrfection Version

"What A Fool Believes" was a collaboration between writers Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald to be recorded for Loggins 1978 smash LP, "Nightwatch" that also contained his duet with Stevie Nicks, "Whenever I Call You "Friend"". Producer Ted Templeman felt that the Doobies could properly finish the song and recorded it for their own 1978 LP, "Minute By Minute".

The sessions for the song were not coming together like Templeman heard in his head so he decided to play the drums along with Keith Knudsen to loosen up the groove to get the sound he wanted. He explains that he "wanted it to have this 'floppy' feel, it flops around, the drums aren't perfect, nothing is perfect, but it's got a feel to it". And what a feel! This song touched me so much, I felt cheap, but I ran out and bought it any by getting the album.

Then heard this disco version on the AM radio that added the kick drum keeping time over the line "as she rises to his apology, anybody else would surely know, he's watching her go" that in the original hit single had no drums and had to go buy that one too!

Templeman felt that "Fool" sounded like a hit and was proven right when it hit #1 on the Hot 100 for the week of April 14, 1979. The song won two Grammys, "Record Of The Year" and "Song Of The Year" with McDonald taking a Grammy for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists, and one more for Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group or Chorus.

Aretha Franklin recorded her own blazing version of "What A Fool Believes" for her 1980 "Aretha" LP. Her extended dance version peaked at #31 on the disco/dance chart in the spring of 1981. The Doobies continued to record until 1982 when the band splintered because of the departures of McDonald and Patrick Simmons. In 1987 original lead singer Tom Johnston returned to the Doobies and had a top 10 hit in 1989 with "The Doctor".