What a Fool Believes

Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, who had wanted to collaborate for some time, wrote the song together in Los Angeles.

Loggins went to McDonald's house and heard him playing a tune on piano, and suggested they work on that as he already had a hook line, "She had a place in his life" in mind.

They recorded numerous takes of its rhythm track over five or six days, but had a problem finding a version that they liked, and Templeman ended up playing drums with Keith Knudsen to try to achieve a "floppy feel" with the song.

[10] Templeman eventually decided, to the band's horror, to cut up the master tape of a recording into sections, and put together a usable version.

Apparently as a joke, Michael Jackson claimed in a videotaped phone conversation with Elizabeth Taylor in 2003 that he contributed at least one backing track to the original Doobie Brothers recording, but was not credited for having done so.

[13] Cash Box said it has an "easy funk backing, strings overhead and characteristically unique vocals which soar upwards.

"[14] Record World said that in the song the Doobie Brothers go to "an easy going beat with distinctive lead and high harmony hook.

"[15] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated "What a Fool Believes" as the Doobie Brothers all-time greatest song, particularly praising "McDonald's soulful vocals and soft and warm keyboard riffs.

[17] The song is considered one of the pinnacle examples of the Yacht Rock musical genre, which spawned from the 2005 web series by comedians J. D. Ryznar, Hunter Stair, David B. Lyons and Steve Huey.

[citation needed] A version featuring Sara Evans is included on the Doobie Brothers' 2014 studio album Southbound.

British band Matt Bianco released a cover of "What a Fool Believes" on their fourth studio album Samba in Your Casa in 1991.