April 01, 2024

1978 - December: The Doobie Brothers “Minute By Minute”

36 minutes

There are two distinct eras of music by The Doobie Brothers. From their formation in 1970 until 1975, Tom Johnston was the lead vocalist, and the group had a mainstream rock sound, with some folk and “California Country” influences. Starting in 1975, Michael McDonald joined the group as a keyboardist, as well as providing lead vocal work to help Johnston, who was having health problems at the time. Over the following years, Johnston would have less influence as he neared retirement from the group in 1977. Michael McDonald would influence the group into a more soulful sound, often called “blue eyed soul.” Today we would call this “yacht rock.”

Minute By Minute, the eighth studio album from the group, comes from the height of the McDonald era. It is a high water mark for the Doobie Brothers both commercially and critically. The album would spend 87 weeks on the Billboard 200 album charts in the U.S., topping the charts in five of those weeks. It would also produce multiple nominations and wins at the Grammy awards in 1980 including Record and Song of the Year wins for “What a Fool Believes.”

The Doobie Brothers would break up in 1982, then reform with Johnston back as front man in 1987. Michael McDonald would rejoin the band full time in 2019 in time for their 50th anniversary tour. You can still find them on tour today.

Rob brings us this soulful album for today's podcast.

What A Fool Believes

The lyrics of this hit narrate the story of a man who meets an old crush and tries to rekindle their relationship, only to find out that there never really was a relationship in the first place. Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins wrote this single, which became a number 1 hit in the US and Canada.

Dependin' On You

Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons wrote this song, and Simmons takes over lead singer duties. It went to number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Latin-infused call-and-response song celebrates a rock solid love that is always there.

Don't Stop to Watch the Wheels

This shuffle beat deeper cut is sung by Patrick Simmons, and was the B-side from the single release of “What a Fool Believes.” “Look out, hold on, don't stop to watch the wheels go 'round. Look out, hold on, I got to cover ground.”

Minute By Minute

The title track finds Michael McDonald handling lead vocals, and was written by McDonald and Lester Abrams. The single was released in April of 1979, and it went to number 14 on the US charts. The smooth keyboard-driven sound reflects the Motown inspiration, and is a hallmark song of the “yacht rock” genre.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Every Which Way But Loose by Eddie Rabbitt (from the motion picture “Every Which Way But Loose”)

Clint Eastwood would take a break from his action and western movies for this comedy with an orangutan co-star named Clyde.

STAFF PICKS:

Don't Stop Me Now by Queen

Bruce leads off this week's staff picks with a single from Queen's "Jazz" album. While this tribute to hedonism did well in the UK, it only hit number 86 on the US charts. It would grow in popularity over time, and would be featured in multiple commercials including Toyota, L'Oréal, and American Idol.

Double Vision by Foreigner

Lynch features a song from Foreigner's second album of the same name. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Surprisingly, the inspiration for the song title was an event at a hockey game when a goalie had to be removed after a collision on the ice because he was experiencing double vision.

Homicide by 999

Wayne brings us a band from London that is named for the number used in the UK to reach emergency services. This punk-infused song takes a tongue-in-cheek look at serial killers. While a top 40 hit in the UK, it didn't chart in the States. You might recognize this song from the soundtrack to the John Wick series, “The Continental.”

Follow You Follow Me by Genesis

Rob closes out the staff picks with a softer song from the progressive group Genesis, the closer from their album “...And Then There Were Three...” The group had condensed to the three members of Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, and Tony Banks, after former member Steve Hackett chose to leave.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Steamer Lane Breakdown by The Doobie Brothers

We get a little double dip of the Doobies as we exit today's podcast on this instrumental number.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings