1978 Timeless Classic, Once a No. 1 Hit for Iconic Band, Became a Soft Rock Anthem
In 1978, Kenny Loggins helped create a song that would become one of the defining soft rock classics of its era.
"What a Fool Believes" was written by Loggins and Michael McDonald and first appeared on Loggins' 1978 album, Nightwatch.
Although Loggins released the song as a single and earned modest success with it, few could have predicted just how significant the composition would eventually become.
The song originated after conversations between Loggins and McDonald, who developed the idea around a man desperately trying to rekindle a romance that only truly exists in his own memories. The bittersweet storyline and sophisticated melody immediately stood out from many of the era's pop songs.
"I parked on the street in front of Michael's house at around noon," Loggins told The Wall Street Journal. "As I removed my acoustic Taylor guitar from the car, I heard Michael's piano. His front door was open. Michael was playing and singing a verse. When he stopped, my imagination kept going. Before I knocked on his door, I had a melody and a lyric line for the bridge."
Loggins' original version showcased the songwriting partnership's strengths, blending thoughtful lyrics with polished West Coast production and smooth vocal performances.
But the story of "What a Fool Believes" was only beginning.
In 1979, McDonald revisited the song with his band, The Doobie Brothers. Their version, featuring McDonald's signature vocal style and an even more polished arrangement, became a massive commercial success. The recording climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped transform the song into one of the most celebrated hits of the late 1970s.
While the Doobie Brothers' version became the chart phenomenon, the song itself remained deeply connected to Loggins, who had helped write it from the very beginning.
"Kenny's solo version was released first, in July 1978," McDonald told The Guardian. "It was more of a creative arrangement with his producer Bob James, who was a phenomenal jazz pianist. The Doobie Brothers kept the song in its simplest form and figured we didn't need to get too wordy and just tried to capture its spirit."
The success of the composition also highlighted Loggins' considerable talent as a songwriter. Long before becoming known for soundtrack favorites such as "Footloose" and "Danger Zone," he was already crafting sophisticated pop songs that would leave a lasting mark on popular music.
"What a Fool Believes" went on to become one of the most acclaimed songs of its generation, earning major industry recognition and helping define the yacht rock and soft rock sounds that continue to enjoy a resurgence today.
Decades later, the song remains a staple of classic hits radio, streaming playlists and retrospective collections celebrating the best music of the 1970s.
For Loggins, it stands as one of the greatest examples of a songwriter's influence extending far beyond a single recording. While another band's version became the No. 1 hit, the song's origins trace directly back to the collaboration between Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, a partnership that produced one of soft rock's most timeless anthems.
Related: 1977 Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 17 Minutes, Remains a Classic 49 Years Later
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 5:49 PM.