The story behind Warran G getting approval to use this sample is amazing. They met on the street on the lower east side of Manhattan years earlier, Warren G fanboyed over Micheal MacDonald, stopped him and raved over his talent. MacDonlad had been so shocked this rap artist loved his music that the meeting held dear meaning as a memory. Many years later Warren G called him to ask the use the sample and Macdonald instantly said Yes. He’d remembered him from their passing encounter on a NYC street and was thrilled to see what Warren G envisioned and could turn out using this sample. And he became an instant fan ❤
McDonald collaborated, with so many. With so many branches, one was bound to bear fruit, in every genre's garden. Check out his collaboration, with Kenny Loggins, and Thundercat.
This song was released in 1982. A sneaky great drum track (another by the late great Jeff Porcaro of Toto). It’s on a shortlist of warm-up songs I like to play on drums. Smooth 16th notes on the hi-hat played only with the right hand and not both hands as most would play this. But it’s the push and pull of the groove that’s special. He pushes through the middle of the pattern and lays back on the one. This is the art of the groove here. It sounds easy, but this is borderline virtuosic drumming on display. Of course everything else is also fantastic. And it all sounds so easy. This is the kind of record that could only be made in a thriving music business. Guys just living in the studio cranking out albums every day got so good at that. It’s not easy.
This was such a massive hit in 1982! Virtually everyone who heard the name “Michael McDonald” immediately thought of this song. It was his signature tune as a solo artist.
I work as a customer service rep and one day I got a call from a client named...Michael McDonald (not the real one). I told him how much a fan I was of him and joked about how cool he is and of course the client laughed it off and said, "Yeah I get that a lot". Well I helped him out and gave him great customer service and at end of the call, he says, "Thanks for everything. And, just for you--"Shine, Sweet Freedom, shine a light on me!", in his best Michael McDonald impersonation! I so lost it, I was laughing so hard.
That's so funny my handyman name was Michael McDonald. Every time he had to something for me, I would start singing I keep forgetting. He was such a sweet guy. I wonder was that him. He has since moved Louisiana. I surely miss him.
Don't forget Michael McDonald sings on some Kenny Loggins hits, and they've even performed live together as a duo. "This Is It" and "Heart To Heart" come to mind.
Michael and Kenny are very good friends. Michael's song "I Gotta Try" which he released as a follow up single to this and Kenny does backup vocals. Later Kenny did the lead vocals on "I Gotta Try" and Michael did the back up. Kenny's version is on one of his albums. "I Gotta Try" is a wonderful uplifting song which is underrated and written by Michael McDonald.
No one considered Michael McDonald as a vocalist until he sat in the studio with The Doobies to demo a song he wrote. Everybody else in the studio immediately recognized the talent and his career took off.. ✌️
That’s not true . McDonald was singing back up for everyone in the 70s , long before the Doobies . Steely Dan , Chris Cross and Kenny Loggins just to name a few . Everyone knew his talent long before he was in the Doobies
@Peter Lansdowne True, but, FYI, Christopher Cross debuted in 1980. But, yes, he was officially part of Steely Dan in 1975, before joining the Doobie Brothers.
Michael was a singular talent, with one of the most instantly reocgnizable voices of all time. You'd love his duet with James Ingram, "Yah Mo B There". He also had solo hits with "Sweet Freedom", and "No Lookin' Back". He also did a song in 1998 called "One Heart at a Time" with (get THIS) Garth Brooks, Billy Dean, Faith Hill, Olivia Newton-John, Neal McCoy, Victoria Shaw, and Bryan White! P.S. This song came out in 1982.
I'm a huge MM fan!! Love his voice and his overall "coolness"!! You need to check out "What a Fool Believes", "Little Darlin",(Doobies) "Real Love" (Doobies)!! MM and James Ingram sing backup for "Just Can't Let Go" w/David Pack (Ambrosia) a fantastic song!!! Love y'all and your reactions to the music we older folks grew up on!!!
Indeed. "Yah Mo B There" is a MUST. A forgotten but singular song from the 80s. "Sweet Freedom" was a mega-hit and just gives you the best feeling of lightness and joy. I swear I don't think anyone remembers "No Lookin' Back, " but it really bucks you up when you hear it. This man is a music treasure!
This man is the most soulful sounding white man I’ve ever heard. Saw him a few times with the Doobies then about ten years ago I saw him solo, followed by Earth Wind and Fire, then they all came out and did a final set together doing each other’s songs. Amazing show.
@@Jan82-x7n My bad. Totally misunderstood. They really have a LOT of reactions. I was up the other night watching the older ones and just feeling the vibes.
Bassist on this track is the late Louis Johnson, of the famed Brothers Johnson (Stomp, & Strawberry Letter 23), who ya’ll should check out if you haven’t yet. Louis became an in demand studio bass player from his association with Quincy Jones. He’s the bassist on Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall album, Thriller, George Benson’s Give me the Night & many others.
He’s also backing vocals on Toto’s “I’ll be over you,” and multiple Kenny Loggins classics. You’ve all been hearing his writing and voice for a long while ;)
He’s definitely one of the best blue-eyed soul artists of any decade….he brought soul to the Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan & his awesome solo stuff ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Yes Jay, Warren G sampled this for "Regulate" Michael McDonald silently ran the late 70's early 80's singing background on many hits in that time frame. He wasn't EXACTLY in Steely Dan but he did alot of background vocal work for them. His becoming a part of the Doobie Brothers completely changed their sound. You should checkout "Ya Mo Be There" by James Ingram with Michael McDonald on backing vocals!
Michael McDonald is a highly underrated yet decorated vocalist. Back in the 70s, you were guaranteed to have a hit with Michael McDonald singing the background vocals. From the Doobie Brothers, and Steely Dan to Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and even Patti LaBelle, Mr. McDonald has definitely made his mark in the world of pop and R&B music.
His sister sings the female back up part. This is one of my favorites of his. He was a back up vocalist for so many folks back in the ‘80’s (Toto, Kenny Loggins…).
Early 80s...everything sounds better with Michael. Back in the day he was backing vocals on just about everyone's song. Check out all his collabs mentioned here in the comments.
So funny that all you can hear is Regulators, because whenever I hear Regulators, I'm mad it's not this song! 😂 This is my favorite Michael MacDonald song since I was 10 years old! (It came out in 1982). His voice just melts a girl! 😂❤️ Just for future reference, the sample/rap version is NEVER the original. Regulators came out in 1994.
Jay & Amber, "Sweet Freedom" was his other solo top 10 hit!! He did backing vocals, on Steely Dan's "Peg", "Bad Sneakers". Only backing vocals and some keyboards with Steely Dan from 1974-1980.
Guys!! please check out his duet with James Ingram called " Yah Mo B There" so good!! he also has a duet with Aretha Franklin called Ever Changing Times and another beautiful duet with Tony Braxton called Stop Look and Listen. I saw him in concertin 79 while he was with the Doobie Brothers, great concert and they were all the nicest guys!! He was so blue eyed soul that many people could not be convinced he was white until they saw him perform....lol.
When you hear his speaking voice you would never think it's the same person. He sings back up on I'll be over you by TOTO. I think you guys would really dig that one. Also, this is early 80s.
The Doobie Brothers were on tour when guitarist and lead vocalist and founding member Tom Johnston became ill and couldn't continue on with the tour. Guitarist Jeff Skunk Baxter ( who was in the Doobies at the time) remembered Michael McDonald who he had done some sessions with. Baxter got in touch with McDonald and asked him if he'd like to fill in for Johnston so they could finish the tour. McDonald said yes, and four days later was on stage with the Doobies and finished the tour. The Doob Loved McDonald, asked him to join them as a permanent member, and the rest is history...
Michael McDonald has graciously lent his voice to many old and new artists' songs through the years. His voice is unmistakable, haunting, and more than remarkable. So glad you tried him out solo. My kids were weaned on his music, along with Boz Skaggs, Bobby Caldwell, Christopher Cross, Simply Red, Sade, Steely Dan, Dan Fogelberg, Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Doobie Brothers, Marvin Gaye and CCR, to name some of my favorites. All with such distinctive vocals and sounds. So glad you chose him to react to as a solo artist!
I had a bad breakup right before a business trip. It was only then while driving alone in a new city listening to the radio that I realized how many break up songs have been written. Maybe I picked a bad radio station but about every third song was about lost love. And this song, which I’d heard several times before, was the one that made it personal and the first time I really HEARD the lyrics. And it probably helped me start to let go. Still a truly beautiful song, so I’m glad you finally found it.
My mother complained in the '60s that all the songs were about 'lost love.' My hillbilly father said ' they all say 'the same thing',like CW songs were not all about drinking,cheating and divorce.
I've been trying to get you to listen to this song forever! Michael McDonald is sooooo smooth. Plus I know you'll recognize the tune from your rap days and I haven't even watched the video yet.
I first heard Michael McDonald singing background on Steely Dan's "Peg". Then Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, the Doobies, and his solo work. You couldn't listen to the radio for an hour without hearing that voice, for years. It was too much. Like the fretless bass, gated reverb, and the DX7 ep, I OD'ed on Mike around 1988...
Fun fact: the drummer on this song is the late Jeff Porcaro, from the group Toto. The version of Michael doing this song on Soul Train ... is a masterpiece. Jeff is playing with him ... and Louis Johnson from the Brothers Johnson on bass.
And, he actually does have BLUE eyes. So, in his case it actually applies. One of the greatest of all time. He made everything sound better. Try "Real Love" too. Love this artist the really has blue eyes and is super soulful.
While you're thinking of Michael McDonald being in several bands you like, don't sleep on the mighty Jeff Porcaro, the drummer on this track. Best known as the drummer on every Toto song you've reacted to, but also a legendary studio drummer who played on scores of hits, including "Beat It" by Michael Jackson, "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" by Boz Scaggs, "Black Friday" and "FM" by Steely Dan, "Dirty Laundry" by Don Henley, "Diamond Girl" by Seals & Crofts, "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross, and on and on and on - the man was a hit machine. Taken from us way too young at age 38 by a heart problem, of all things. Maybe he just put so much heart into what he did, he didn't keep any for himself. Respect.
Michael is as asked to sing background on several records because of his distinctive voice. He sang with Christopher Cross on the song “Ride like the Wind.”
I have been good friends since about 1981 with someone who is Michael McDonald's cousin. I've had the opportunity to meet and talk with him many times - one of the most genuine, easygoing artists ever who loves his fans. I have forwarded the link to this video to her. Hope Mike gets a chance to watch it! PS - you guys should react to Carly Simon's "You Belong To Me" - Mike wrote and produced it.
you need to check out "The Dukes of September": Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan) Michael McDonald and Boz Scags all sharing a stage and backup band. Incredible!
His duet with Patti LaBelle called "on my own" will give you chills and his duet with James Ingram is fire, called "ya mo be there" . Legendary vocal uniqueness.🔥👍
Michael McDonald is one of the sweetest persons you'll ever meet. About 35+ yrs ago my kids and I ran into him at the grocery store, he was very kind when my kids approached him. Then about 2 yrs ago he did a small concert (funding for the music dept at our local college) and I had the pleasure to speak with him and take pictures with him as well. I just love his voice.
Hi kids. I was so in love with this man when I was younger. You also reacted to him with Patti Labelle and he is also on the background of Kenny Loggins too. You have to check out "This is It" by Kenny Loggins w/McDonald as his background.
This song came out in 1982. It has a very personal meaning for me. i had a breakup and I couldn't get her off my mind. I just kept "forgetting" that we went our separate ways. I still get emotional when I hear this song even after all these years.
Another great jam from my youth that I still keep in heavy rotation today. Also Patti LaBelle did a really decent cover of it believe it or not. I’m still hoping you guys discover Stephen Bishop and his hit “On And On” .
Another MIchael McDonald song you'll want to check out is "Shine Sweet Freedom"...along with "You Lost Me" performed by Christina Aguilera on David Letterman's talk show, of course!
Bluesy. Jazzy. Sultry Soulful and So Smooth. One of the most distinctive voices in music. Wrote You Belong To Me by Carly Simon and his duet On My Own with Patti LaBelle is just amazing. Sings back up for Christopher Cross's Grammy winning album too. So accomplished and not as appreciated as he should be. ~Red
Jeff porcaro on drums RIP❤
You can tell when it is Jeff playing.....his style is hard miss.
The background singer is Michael McDonald's sister Maureen McDonald
Came out in 82. This is the original
Got to no. 43 in the UK. Nate Dogg's Regulate got to no. 4 in the UK
Grammy for song-of-the-year
I Keep Forgetting charted at #4 in the US
The story behind Warran G getting approval to use this sample is amazing. They met on the street on the lower east side of Manhattan years earlier, Warren G fanboyed over Micheal MacDonald, stopped him and raved over his talent. MacDonlad had been so shocked this rap artist loved his music that the meeting held dear meaning as a memory. Many years later Warren G called him to ask the use the sample and Macdonald instantly said Yes. He’d remembered him from their passing encounter on a NYC street and was thrilled to see what Warren G envisioned and could turn out using this sample. And he became an instant fan ❤
Doesn’t surprise me - many black people loved and grew up on Michael McDonald.
Thank you!! Always love a little extra to a story I really never thought about but... so cool!!
McDonald collaborated, with so many.
With so many branches, one was bound to bear fruit, in every genre's garden. Check out his collaboration, with Kenny Loggins, and Thundercat.
Thank u mate I was wondering and now I know
Warren maybe g but so is michael
This song was released in 1982. A sneaky great drum track (another by the late great Jeff Porcaro of Toto). It’s on a shortlist of warm-up songs I like to play on drums. Smooth 16th notes on the hi-hat played only with the right hand and not both hands as most would play this. But it’s the push and pull of the groove that’s special. He pushes through the middle of the pattern and lays back on the one. This is the art of the groove here. It sounds easy, but this is borderline virtuosic drumming on display. Of course everything else is also fantastic. And it all sounds so easy.
This is the kind of record that could only be made in a thriving music business. Guys just living in the studio cranking out albums every day got so good at that. It’s not easy.
This is a fantastic explanation.
Selling stereo systems back then. Great song to demo with.
The term "blue-eyed soul" was initially coined to describe Michael McDonald's music. The term wouldn't exist if not for him.
Nope, that would be the describing the Righteous Brothers, long before Michael.
Hall and Oates are the epitome of Blue-eyed Soul!
"Takin it to the streets" was one of his best doobie brothers songs.
Which Michael wrote
This was such a massive hit in 1982! Virtually everyone who heard the name “Michael McDonald” immediately thought of this song. It was his signature tune as a solo artist.
Or the Patti LaBelle song... On My Own...
What a Fool believes walks in
@@anthonylee5982 yes, please..😮
Me and my girl friend loved this song back in tha day. ... I was 14 and she was 16... Were still together . Now she's 57 and im 55 .. 💜 GOOD TIMES!!!
@@anthonylee5982Patti don't just sing with anyone. They better be good.
I work as a customer service rep and one day I got a call from a client named...Michael McDonald (not the real one). I told him how much a fan I was of him and joked about how cool he is and of course the client laughed it off and said, "Yeah I get that a lot". Well I helped him out and gave him great customer service and at end of the call, he says, "Thanks for everything. And, just for you--"Shine, Sweet Freedom, shine a light on me!", in his best Michael McDonald impersonation! I so lost it, I was laughing so hard.
I feel bad for his brother Ron;)
That's so funny my handyman name was Michael McDonald. Every time he had to something for me, I would start singing I keep forgetting. He was such a sweet guy. I wonder was that him. He has since moved Louisiana. I surely miss him.
I love to hear stories like this!!!
I served with Michael McDonald in the military...(not the singer). We use to tell him to sing for us lol
This is a great story!
"On my Own" a great duet with Patti Labelle 👍👍👍
They already listened to that one. Great track!
Don't forget Michael McDonald sings on some Kenny Loggins hits, and they've even performed live together as a duo. "This Is It" and "Heart To Heart" come to mind.
Those songs are fire
Also Christopher Cross
Michael was everywhere in the 80’s. Didn’t he do a song with Patti Labelle? Crazy good. 😍
Music Gold
Michael and Kenny are very good friends. Michael's song "I Gotta Try" which he released as a follow up single to this and Kenny does backup vocals. Later Kenny did the lead vocals on "I Gotta Try" and Michael did the back up. Kenny's version is on one of his albums. "I Gotta Try" is a wonderful uplifting song which is underrated and written by Michael McDonald.
No one considered Michael McDonald as a vocalist until he sat in the studio with The Doobies to demo a song he wrote. Everybody else in the studio immediately recognized the talent and his career took off.. ✌️
You forget the work he did with Steely Dan. I think he was known before The Doobies.
That’s not true . McDonald was singing back up for everyone in the 70s , long before the Doobies . Steely Dan , Chris Cross and Kenny Loggins just to name a few . Everyone knew his talent long before he was in the Doobies
That's incorrect. McDonald's work with Steely Dan, as a vocalist precedes his Doobie Brothers work, he also wrote songs with Kenny Logins.
@Peter Lansdowne True, but, FYI, Christopher Cross debuted in 1980. But, yes, he was officially part of Steely Dan in 1975, before joining the Doobie Brothers.
Untrue
He does Stop, Look & Listen to you Heart as a duet with Toni Braxton, you must see & listen to it.
Michael was a singular talent, with one of the most instantly reocgnizable voices of all time. You'd love his duet with James Ingram, "Yah Mo B There". He also had solo hits with "Sweet Freedom", and "No Lookin' Back". He also did a song in 1998 called "One Heart at a Time" with (get THIS) Garth Brooks, Billy Dean, Faith Hill, Olivia Newton-John, Neal McCoy, Victoria Shaw, and Bryan White! P.S. This song came out in 1982.
They need to hear Can’t Let Go Michael , James , An David Pack
I was going to suggest Yah Mo There. I think these nice kids would like that one.
Also Jonny Lang, Billy Currington … so many! Blue eyed soul at its best! Love MM! ♥️
I'm a huge MM fan!! Love his voice and his overall "coolness"!! You need to check out "What a Fool Believes", "Little Darlin",(Doobies) "Real Love" (Doobies)!! MM and James Ingram sing backup for "Just Can't Let Go" w/David Pack (Ambrosia) a fantastic song!!! Love y'all and your reactions to the music we older folks grew up on!!!
Indeed. "Yah Mo B There" is a MUST. A forgotten but singular song from the 80s. "Sweet Freedom" was a mega-hit and just gives you the best feeling of lightness and joy. I swear I don't think anyone remembers "No Lookin' Back, " but it really bucks you up when you hear it. This man is a music treasure!
Glad you liked it
This man is the most soulful sounding white man I’ve ever heard. Saw him a few times with the Doobies then about ten years ago I saw him solo, followed by Earth Wind and Fire, then they all came out and did a final set together doing each other’s songs. Amazing show.
Sweet
I could see Michael vibing with Earth,Wind,and Fire!🎙🎶🔥
Dude is soulful regardless of color. One of the coldest voices ever
@@primeminister66 fact's
ReRun got busted for trying to record the Doobies at that concert 😉
Nobody can sing song like Michael.
Patti Labelle doesn't do a lot of duets, but she did one with Michael McDonald called "On My Own". It was a big hit and great song to react to.
They did that one! You should be able to find it if it hasn’t been taken down!😁
@@Jan82-x7n It's up. On her official channel.
@@disconnexionsdotcom Thanks! I was referring to the reaction to that video still being up on the Rob Squad channel.
@@Jan82-x7n My bad. Totally misunderstood. They really have a LOT of reactions. I was up the other night watching the older ones and just feeling the vibes.
One of my late fathers favourite songs.
Bassist on this track is the late Louis Johnson, of the famed Brothers Johnson (Stomp, & Strawberry Letter 23), who ya’ll should check out if you haven’t yet. Louis became an in demand studio bass player from his association with Quincy Jones. He’s the bassist on Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall album, Thriller, George Benson’s Give me the Night & many others.
He also sang on 2 duets that you've reacted too. "Ride like the wind" by; Christopher Cross, and "On my own" by Patti Labell. 😁
On my own ❤️
I think they might have reacted to On My Own before-- was surprised that they didn't remember that when they mentioned Doobies and Steely Dan
"Ride Like The Wind" isn't a duet, he just sings backup.
He’s also backing vocals on Toto’s “I’ll be over you,” and multiple Kenny Loggins classics. You’ve all been hearing his writing and voice for a long while ;)
Such a long way to go...................
The part of the song she liked was the sample from Michael McDonald's song. That says a lot about these songs that take parts from other better songs.
He’s definitely one of the best blue-eyed soul artists of any decade….he brought soul to the Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan & his awesome solo stuff ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
" blue eyed soul" WTF? are you that ashamed of being white? As if white people cant sing "soul music" They were great artists period.
@@smtbigelow first off….I’m not white…the “blue-eyed soul” term has been used since the Righteous Brothers in the 1960’zzzz…relax & enjoy the music 🤓
Wild Cherry is another good example IMO
@@MrCubFan415 yup….they’re funky as hell “Play That Funky Music(White Boy)” is kikass 🤘🏽🤘🏽
Amen
The R and B was just so damn smooth back then. It was a awesome time in music.
Michael Mcdonald is a one of a kind talent !!!!
Jeff Porcaro's kick drum is everything.
Michael sang with everyone. He was everywhere singing backup and duets. That's Michaels sister singing backup.💖
Wow never knew that!
I don’t care what anyone says, I was a teenager in the 70s. The best music ever came from that decade.
What's that got to do with an 80s track?
Music lovers should thank the Doobie Brothers for finding this dude.
He was singing with Steely Dan
@@saffysaffy3239 Steely Dan and Toto had their hands in EVERYTHING in the 70's
Blue eyed soul….🙌👍
Yes Jay, Warren G sampled this for "Regulate"
Michael McDonald silently ran the late 70's early 80's singing background on many hits in that time frame. He wasn't EXACTLY in Steely Dan but he did alot of background vocal work for them. His becoming a part of the Doobie Brothers completely changed their sound.
You should checkout "Ya Mo Be There" by James Ingram with Michael McDonald on backing vocals!
Michael McDonald has one of the most recognizable voices around. He is so good. This is a great song.
⚜️ I keep forgetting.... how much I love this song! ❤️
❤
I LOVE watching young people enjoying music us "old folks" used to jam to. The funk of Michael McDonald is so timeless.
Michael McDonald is a highly underrated yet decorated vocalist. Back in the 70s, you were guaranteed to have a hit with Michael McDonald singing the background vocals. From the Doobie Brothers, and Steely Dan to Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and even Patti LaBelle, Mr. McDonald has definitely made his mark in the world of pop and R&B music.
👏👏👏 All True
His sister sings the female back up part. This is one of my favorites of his. He was a back up vocalist for so many folks back in the ‘80’s (Toto, Kenny Loggins…).
Oh Michael! I haven’t forgotten! Swooooon!
🎶
His “Taking It To The Streets” with the Doobie Brothers is a classic!
Yes it is. So is Only fools believe 😊
This song was released in 1982 on his debut album. It was one of his 10 best ranked songs.
One of those songs you never tire of hearing, what soul, what a voice, what a groove. Michael is a genius
"It was a clear black night, a clear white moon. Warren G was on the streets trying to consume ..."
Thank and love you Michael!!!
You need to check out The Doobie Brothers: It Keeps You Runnin'. Another great song with Michael on vocals.
Early 80s...everything sounds better with Michael. Back in the day he was backing vocals on just about everyone's song. Check out all his collabs mentioned here in the comments.
On my own with Patti Labell. They are fantastic.
So funny that all you can hear is Regulators, because whenever I hear Regulators, I'm mad it's not this song! 😂 This is my favorite Michael MacDonald song since I was 10 years old! (It came out in 1982). His voice just melts a girl! 😂❤️
Just for future reference, the sample/rap version is NEVER the original. Regulators came out in 1994.
Turn the volume up. Some one sampled his song as usual. He is the original maker of this song.
His best song in my opinion, is "Sweet Freedom". Such a fun, joyful song. ❤️
He has been on more other peoples records than you can count. He was the voice of the 80s.
Jay & Amber, "Sweet Freedom" was his other solo top 10 hit!! He did backing vocals, on Steely Dan's "Peg", "Bad Sneakers". Only backing vocals and some keyboards with Steely Dan from 1974-1980.
Guys!! please check out his duet with James Ingram called " Yah Mo B There" so good!! he also has a duet with Aretha Franklin called Ever Changing Times and another beautiful duet with Tony Braxton called Stop Look and Listen. I saw him in concertin 79 while he was with the Doobie Brothers, great concert and they were all the nicest guys!! He was so blue eyed soul that many people could not be convinced he was white until they saw him perform....lol.
When you hear his speaking voice you would never think it's the same person. He sings back up on I'll be over you by TOTO. I think you guys would really dig that one. Also, this is early 80s.
2 members of Toto are playing on this track actually.
Louis Johnson of Brothers Johnson is on bass!
Such a great vocalist, his voice makes every song he sings sound better.
The Doobie Brothers were on tour when guitarist and lead vocalist and founding member Tom Johnston became ill and couldn't continue on with the tour. Guitarist Jeff Skunk Baxter ( who was in the Doobies at the time) remembered Michael McDonald who he had done some sessions with. Baxter got in touch with McDonald and asked him if he'd like to fill in for Johnston so they could finish the tour. McDonald said yes, and four days later was on stage with the Doobies and finished the tour. The Doob Loved McDonald, asked him to join them as a permanent member, and the rest is history...
Michael McDonald has graciously lent his voice to many old and new artists' songs through the years. His voice is unmistakable, haunting, and more than remarkable. So glad you tried him out solo. My kids were weaned on his music, along with Boz Skaggs, Bobby Caldwell, Christopher Cross, Simply Red, Sade, Steely Dan, Dan Fogelberg, Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Doobie Brothers, Marvin Gaye and CCR, to name some of my favorites. All with such distinctive vocals and sounds. So glad you chose him to react to as a solo artist!
Yes so were mine
love it when the younger gen discover where some of the best samples come from :)
I had a bad breakup right before a business trip. It was only then while driving alone in a new city listening to the radio that I realized how many break up songs have been written. Maybe I picked a bad radio station but about every third song was about lost love. And this song, which I’d heard several times before, was the one that made it personal and the first time I really HEARD the lyrics. And it probably helped me start to let go. Still a truly beautiful song, so I’m glad you finally found it.
Sonnets, sonatas, symphonies, songs, so many sprung from that pain of love lost or unrequited.
My mother complained in the '60s that all the songs were about 'lost love.'
My hillbilly father said ' they all say 'the same thing',like CW songs were not all about drinking,cheating and divorce.
One of my favorites from MacDonald !
I've been trying to get you to listen to this song forever! Michael McDonald is sooooo smooth. Plus I know you'll recognize the tune from your rap days and I haven't even watched the video yet.
♥ it soooo much...... a great composer and producer and singer
I first heard Michael McDonald singing background on Steely Dan's "Peg". Then Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, the Doobies, and his solo work. You couldn't listen to the radio for an hour without hearing that voice, for years.
It was too much. Like the fretless bass, gated reverb, and the DX7 ep, I OD'ed on Mike around 1988...
Patti LaBelle ft. Michael McDonald "On My Own" is a dope duet to check out
Fun fact: the drummer on this song is the late Jeff Porcaro, from the group Toto. The version of Michael doing this song on Soul Train ... is a masterpiece. Jeff is playing with him ... and Louis Johnson from the Brothers Johnson on bass.
i looked it up and also steve lukather. there practically isn’t a song from that time that did not include two or more toto musicians
Jeff Porcaro also played on some Steely Dan songs.
OMG That is Regulators❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥
He also sang background on Ride Like The Wind by Christopher Cross.
LISTEN!!!! MICHAEL MCDONALD IS EVERYTHING! I'm 54, grew up listening to this man and the Doobie Brothers. amazing talant.
Handsome AND talented!! He’s one of the best voices out there💕
And, he actually does have BLUE eyes. So, in his case it actually applies. One of the greatest of all time. He made everything sound better.
Try "Real Love" too. Love this artist the really has blue eyes and is super soulful.
The voice of decades. High talent is mind blowing.
Michael is an AMAZING talent. VERY unique and soulful voice,top shelf! Check out his Motown album,he loved and grew up with that sound.
I always return to him singing Stop, Look Listen with Toni Braxton. It’s just perfect.
He has the most soulful voice. The album this is from, Minute by Minute is one of the very best albums of all time. Every cut on it is Gold.
Minute by minute is such an amazing song
Released date for I keep Forgettin' was August 1982, Regulate was released in June 1994.
Michael Mc Donald, the master…
While you're thinking of Michael McDonald being in several bands you like, don't sleep on the mighty Jeff Porcaro, the drummer on this track. Best known as the drummer on every Toto song you've reacted to, but also a legendary studio drummer who played on scores of hits, including "Beat It" by Michael Jackson, "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" by Boz Scaggs, "Black Friday" and "FM" by Steely Dan, "Dirty Laundry" by Don Henley, "Diamond Girl" by Seals & Crofts, "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross, and on and on and on - the man was a hit machine. Taken from us way too young at age 38 by a heart problem, of all things. Maybe he just put so much heart into what he did, he didn't keep any for himself. Respect.
Michael is as asked to sing background on several records because of his distinctive voice. He sang with Christopher Cross on the song “Ride like the Wind.”
I have been good friends since about 1981 with someone who is Michael McDonald's cousin. I've had the opportunity to meet and talk with him many times - one of the most genuine, easygoing artists ever who loves his fans.
I have forwarded the link to this video to her. Hope Mike gets a chance to watch it!
PS - you guys should react to Carly Simon's "You Belong To Me" - Mike wrote and produced it.
Ya Mo Be There... Michael Macdonald and James Ingram. Fantastic soul dance hit! 😎
you need to check out "The Dukes of September": Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan) Michael McDonald and Boz Scags all sharing a stage and backup band. Incredible!
His duet with Patti LaBelle called "on my own" will give you chills and his duet with James Ingram is fire, called "ya mo be there" . Legendary vocal uniqueness.🔥👍
Michael mackdonald Just great one of the Best male voice ever
Several elements of this song are very representive of the early 80's. Great song.
Yesssssss! Such a distinct voice and vibe ❤❤❤❤❤smooth as butter
There’s a song called - I just can’t let go.. it’s Michael McDonald, James Ingram and Dave pack from ambrosia.. all 3 great vocals…..
Everything that beautiful man touches is platinum
Michael McDonald is one of the sweetest persons you'll ever meet. About 35+ yrs ago my kids and I ran into him at the grocery store, he was very kind when my kids approached him. Then about 2 yrs ago he did a small concert (funding for the music dept at our local college) and I had the pleasure to speak with him and take pictures with him as well. I just love his voice.
Top guy, seen him interviewed on U.K. television and he was softly spoken and kind.
Michael McDonald is one of my all-time favorite male vocalists.
Hi kids. I was so in love with this man when I was younger. You also reacted to him with Patti Labelle and he is also on the background of Kenny Loggins too. You have to check out "This is It" by Kenny Loggins w/McDonald as his background.
Check out Michael’s duet with Patti Labelle, “On My Own” 🔥
Great voice
That bassline is courtesy of the late great Louis "Thunder Thumbs" Johnson from The Brothers Johnson!
This song came out in 1982. It has a very personal meaning for me. i had a breakup and I couldn't get her off my mind. I just kept "forgetting" that we went our separate ways. I still get emotional when I hear this song even after all these years.
That bassline is played by the late great Louis Johnson from the group, The Brothers Johnson. Song was released in 1982.
Another great jam from my youth that I still keep in heavy rotation today. Also Patti LaBelle did a really decent cover of it believe it or not. I’m still hoping you guys discover Stephen Bishop and his hit “On And On” .
Another MIchael McDonald song you'll want to check out is "Shine Sweet Freedom"...along with "You Lost Me" performed by Christina Aguilera on David Letterman's talk show, of course!
He also sang on TOTO's "I'll Be Over You" which you reacted to a few months ago.
And two members of Toto are playing on this track
Not heard that one for a while. Such a great song. ❤🎼🎶
Such a great, timeless song!
Micheal has some pure soul coming out of his mouth! I never forget that voice!
Michael McDonald Boz Skaggs and Donald Fagen have a concert album as The Dukes of September.
Bluesy. Jazzy. Sultry Soulful and So Smooth.
One of the most distinctive voices in music. Wrote You Belong To Me by Carly Simon and his duet On My Own with Patti LaBelle is just amazing. Sings back up for Christopher Cross's Grammy winning album too. So accomplished and not as appreciated as he should be.
~Red
This song is on the Doobie Brothers greatest Hits
This man has sung backup on some of the greatest songs of all time, many of which we’ve all heard and didn’t realize.