Behind the Hit: The Story of 'What A Fool Believes' by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins
Michael McDonald, a renowned musician, is best known for his hit song "What A Fool Believes," which he co-wrote with Kenny Loggins. In a recent interview, McDonald shared the story of how the soulful soft-rock tune came to be. The song almost didn't happen as McDonald had started writing it but hadn't finished it for two years until producer Ted Templeman urged him to complete it. Eventually, McDonald connected with Loggins through Doobie Brothers bassist Tiran Porter, and they collaborated on the song.
When Loggins arrived at McDonald's home for their first writing session, McDonald nervously played him a snippet of "What A Fool Believes." To McDonald's surprise, Loggins was immediately drawn to the song and wanted to work on it. Loggins had even written the song's bridge before they had met in person. The song was first recorded by Loggins on his solo album, Nightwatch, and later by the Doobie Brothers on their album Minute By Minute, where it topped the charts in 1979.
McDonald and Loggins continued to collaborate on various songs over the years, including a recent project with pop singer-songwriter Charlie Puth. Puth expressed his admiration for McDonald and Loggins and their influence on his music. He shared a video discussing their collaboration and the process of working with the legendary artists on his upcoming album, Whatever's Clever, set to release on March 27. The collaboration showcases the timeless appeal of McDonald and Loggins' music and their ability to inspire and work with new generations of artists.