the doobie brothers what a fool believes

"What a Fool Believes" is a song written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. The best-known version was recorded by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers, with McDonald singing lead vocals. It appeared on their eighth studio album "Minute by Minute" released in 1978. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on January 20, 1979, and reached number one on April 14, 1979, holding the top spot for one week. The song marked a stylistic departure for The Doobie Brothers, featuring a soft rock sound that was different from their usual boogie-rock style. Despite initial doubts by the producer Ted Templeman, it became a huge hit and won Grammy Awards in 1980 for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The song was one of the few non- disco number one hits during the first eight months of 1979. The lyrics of "What a Fool Believes" tell a story of a man who meets a former lover and naively believes that their past relationship still holds significance and can be rekindled, only to realize that such feelings were his own illusion. The song was influential in showcasing Michael McDonald as a lead vocalist and key member of The Doobie Brothers, helping to define their sound during that era. Kenny Loggins also released his own jazzier version of the song on his 1978 album "Nightwatch" a few months before The Doobie Brothers' release. The track remains one of the band's most iconic and enduring hits, recognized for its smooth melody and sophisticated arrangement.