Songs which sound like "What a Fool Believes" or "Minute by Minute"?

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None of the other Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, or Steely Dan things I'm aware of capture the pop/gospel/blue-eyed-soul vibe that these two songs tap into so successfully...

― anonamon, Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:41 (twenty years ago)

"I Keep Forgettin'", surely.

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

I dunno about "I Keep Forgettin", as it seems a lot more musically straightforward than the other two songs (not that it isn't a great track, though).

Both "What a Fool Believes" and "Minute by Minute" have very jazzy/gospel-like chords, tricky rhythmic things going on (especially "Minute by Minute", with the unusual time signature, and that instrumental bit before the bridge), cheesy but appropriate synth parts, and just this overall bouncy, perky vibe that contradicts what the lyrics are about (or at least, what I can understand of the lyrics). And for all the underlying musical sophistication, it feels smooth, effortless, and works on a pure '80s AOR level.

The only song I can think of which aims for that sort of groove is The Isley Brothers' "Baby Hold On", although it's far from being as good as Michael McDonald's (or the Isley's) best songs.

I think it's strange how "What a Fool Believes" and "Minute by Minute" were so successful, both musically and commercially, and AFAIK nobody has taken that kind of sound and done more with it. Not even Michael McDonald, for that matter.

― anonamon, Sunday, 24 April 2005 16:34 (twenty years ago)

er, how about Boz Scaggs on the Silk Degrees LP? I prefer those Doobie hits but the sleek blue-eyed soul groove is similar.

― m coleman (lovebug starski), Sunday, 24 April 2005 16:40 (twenty years ago)

What about "Baker St." by Jerry Rafferty? And "Miracles" by Jefferson Starship?

― punt, Sunday, 24 April 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

"Do You Believe In Love?" by Huey Lewis and the News
"I Don't Wanna Lose You" by Hall and Oates
"Lonely Boy" by Andrew Gold, who, incidentally, looks almost identical to Zach Galifianakis:

http://www.andrewgold.com/photo2.gif

vs.

http://thecatlaughs.com/2004site/headshots/ZachGalifianakis.jpg

― Jeff Reguilon (Talent Explosion), Sunday, 24 April 2005 16:49 (twenty years ago)

"Steal Away" by Robbie Dupree

― j. niimi (litotesia), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:16 (twenty years ago)

Bad Sneakers-Steely Dan

― 57 7th (calstars), Sunday, 24 April 2005 21:11 (twenty years ago)

"He's So Shy" has the same keyboard-bounce thing that "Steal Away" shares with "What a Fool Believes."

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Monday, 25 April 2005 00:41 (twenty years ago)

Most of the 'Breakaway' album by Gallagher and Lyle is in this sort of area, e.g. the singles Heart On My Sleeve and I Wanna Stay With You.

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Monday, 25 April 2005 11:33 (twenty years ago)

"Takin' It to the Streets"?

Actually, try the Beach Boys' "Sail On Sailor".

― Dominique (dleone), Monday, 25 April 2005 13:06 (twenty years ago)

Echoes of Love - Doobie Brothers
Smiling Face - James Taylor

― diedre mousedropping (Dave225), Monday, 25 April 2005 13:19 (twenty years ago)

** Smiling Face - James Taylor **

― m coleman (lovebug starski), Monday, 25 April 2005 13:20 (twenty years ago)

Weren't Franke and the Knockouts trying to emulate this sound a bit on stuff like "Sweetheart," only a little more soft-rocky?

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Monday, 25 April 2005 14:16 (twenty years ago)

"Steal Away" seconded. Michael McDonald should've gotten songwriting royalties for that.

― mike a, Monday, 25 April 2005 14:36 (twenty years ago)

Ambrosia - "Biggest Part of Me"

It's interesting how much '70s/'80s soft rock is based on watered-down jazz, blues and gospel, huh?

― mike a, Monday, 25 April 2005 14:40 (twenty years ago)

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