“What a Fool Believes,” released in 1979, is arguably The Doobie Brothers’ most enduring and recognizable hit. The Doobie Brothers, an American rock band formed in 1970 in San Jose, California, initially gained fame for their blues-rock and boogie-woogie sound, characterized by dual lead guitars and strong vocal harmonies. Over the years, their sound evolved, embracing elements of soul, R&B, and soft rock, a shift exemplified by “What a Fool Believes.”
This song, co-written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, marked a significant departure from the band’s earlier hard-rocking style. It propelled them to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, earning them a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1980. The song also helped their album “Minute by Minute” achieve multi-platinum status.
Lyrically, “What a Fool Believes” delves into the complexities of perception and unrequited love. It tells the story of a man who mistakenly believes he shares a deeper connection with a woman he encounters from his past. He interprets her friendly gestures as signs of enduring affection, clinging to a hopeful fantasy while overlooking the reality of her moving on. The song highlights the pitfalls of self-deception and the pain of misinterpreting social cues.
“What a Fool Believes” resonated deeply with audiences, its smooth melody and relatable theme of romantic delusion striking a chord. Critics praised the song’s sophisticated arrangement, McDonald’s soulful vocals, and its poignant exploration of human emotion. While some long-time Doobie Brothers fans initially resisted the band’s stylistic shift, “What a Fool Believes” ultimately became a defining song of the late 1970s and remains a popular and beloved classic today, proving its timeless appeal and solidifying The Doobie Brothers’ place in music history.
