Greatest Hits: The Best Of The Doobie Brothers

Doobie brother members left to right: Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons, and Tom Johnston sharing the news of nomination into Songwriters hall of fame 2023 class.
Doobie brother members left to right: Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons, and Tom Johnston sharing the news of nomination into Songwriters hall of fame 2023 class. ( Source : instagram )

The Best of The Doobie Brothers comprises tracks like 1. What a Fool Believes 2. Long Train Runnin 3. Listen to the Music and many more.

They are musicians from San Jose, California who are known for their music in rock, soft rock, pop, and R&B. The members are known for their vocal harmonies and flexibility while performing in concert. 

That said, the forefront members of the group consist of Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, Michael McDonald, and John McFee all of these singers perform vocal duties as well.

Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 along with rapper Eminem. They were also honored with the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. 

Greatest Hits: The Best Of The Doobie Brothers

Song NameAlbum Name
What a Fool BelievesMinute by Minute (1979)
Long Train RunninThe Captain and Me (1973)
Listen to the MusicToulouse Street (1972)
Jesus is Just AlrightToulouse Street (1972)
China GroveThe Captain and Me (1973)
Black WaterWhat Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974)
The DoctorCycles (1989)
Minute By MinuteMinute By Minute (1979)
Real LoveOne Step Closer (1980)
Takin It To The StreetsTakin It To The Streets (1976)


1. What A Fool Believes

What a Fool Believes is the most popular song by the Doobie Brothers. It peaked at number #1 position after debuting at number 73 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1979.

In the 1980s Grammy Awards, this single was awarded Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The album itself was certified three times platinum in the US and one-time platinum in Canada.

It was one of the most popular tracks from the 1979 album "Minute By Minute." The track tells the story of a man reunited with his past love interest thus he discovers a romantic bond that never existed before.

Song's lyrics go like this:

He came from somewhere back in her long ago

The sentimental fool don't see trying hard to recreate

2. Long Train Runnin

Long Train Runnin' is a constant in Doobie Brothers' setlist in any concert. It is a beloved track by the fans of the R&B group.

The track charted at #8 on Billboard Hot 100. The popular concert song was certified silver with sales of 200,000 units.

The tune was covered by the British girl group "Bananarama" in 1991. It was featured in more than 10 countries including France, the UK, and South Africa.

According to Billboard, the track is rated as the sixth-best song among Doobie Brother's singles. The track is written by Tom Johnston for their 1973 album Captain and Me.

Song's lyrics go like this:

Down around the corner

Half a mile from here

You seem them long trains runnin'

3. Listen To The Music

Doobie Brothers' "Listen to the Music" is one of the best songs from their album Toulouse Street (1972). The song peaked at #37 UK.

This 1972 single helped its parent album commercially as well. The track features a unique Banjo sound produced through a flanging effect.

According to Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at number 11 in November 1972.

Doobie's members released the acoustic version of the song on Youtube 2020 which garnered further attention and hype around the track. 

Listen to the Music was covered by Sonny & Cher on their LP titled "Mama Was A Rock and Roll Singer, Papa Used to Write All Her Songs" in 1973.

The song's lyrics go like this:

Oh, now mama's go'n to after 'while

Oh, oh, listen to the music

4. Jesus Is Just Alright

Jesus is just alright is an Art Reynolds song covered by Doobie Brothers. The track is also covered by Robert Randolph and the greatest guitarist Eric Clapton.

This Gospel track was featured on Billboard Hot 100. It was among the 16 tracks that were in the top 40 hits of Billboard in the 70s. Originally, it peaked at #35 on the 100s chart.

Moreover, the band became aware of the song after listening to the cover of Byrds. After the group's rendition of the song, it became one of the most popular tracks for Christians in the early 70s.

The lyrics of the song go like this:

Jesus is just alright with me

I don't care what they may say

Jesus is just alright, oh yeah

5. China Grove

China Grove is among Doobie Brothers Greatest Hits. It is from their 1973 album The Captain and Me.

The song peaked at #15 and spent eight weeks in the Top 40 on Billboard Hot 100.

According to the songwriter Tom Johnson, the song came into his mind after Billy Payne played a wacky bridge and thus thought of wacky sheriff and samurai swords to include in his newly conceptualized track.

Similarly, the track charted in Australia, Canada, and U.S. within the top 100 list. According to Ultimate Classic Rock "China Grove" is pegged as the 5th greatest song of the Doobie Brothers.

The lyrics of the song go like this:

The people of the town are strange

And they're proud of where they came

Well, you talkin' bout the China Grove

6. Black Water

Black Water is among the Doobie Brothers top songs. It was performed in the Stockton Arena in 2012 alongside Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The Country rock song became the No. 1 hit single in 1975. It debuted at 32 on Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one. It was also featured in the charts of New Zealand and Canada above the top 40 positions.

Moreover, the best-selling solo artist and country singer Garth Brooks. Garth covered the song in his 2013 in his CD release "Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences."

Black Water is a distinguished melody and unique musical precedent that appeals to its listeners. It also remained the lead single in their 1974 album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits.

7. The Doctor

The Doctor is a popular track by the Los Angeles-based band. It also peaked at the #1 position on Billboard's mainstream rock chart.

Vocal duties are shared alongside Tom Johnston. It also was charted above the top 40 in Canada. According to the lead singer and songwriter Johnston, he wrote the song when the band went into hiatus in the mid-70s.

"The Doctor" is a song about the profession that describes the occupation of the doctor. The lyrics of the song go like this:

Music is the doctor

Makes you feel like you want to

Listen to the doctor

Just like you ought to

8. Minute By Minute

Minute by Minute is a popular single from the album of the same name. It is a platinum-certified album released in 1978.

The album went to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The title single of the 1978 album was nominated in the Grammy awards for Song of the Year but lost to its own single "What a Fool Believes."

Similarly, the track is covered by multiple singers and musicians including Meek Mill featuring Drake and Jeremih in his single "Amen."

Furthermore, the song is also available in their Greatest Hits, live albums, along with Farewell Tour released in 1983. the laid-back and soft rock track was praised for its symphonic vocals and catchy tunes.

Song's lyrics go like this:

But minute by minute by minute by minute

I keep holding on

Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute

I keep holding on

9. Real Love

Real Love is one of the sweetest songs by the Doobie Brothers. The track reached #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It is one of the biggest hits of the year besides The Beatles' song of the same name.

In addition, the track also peaked at 12th position in Canada. It also became popular in Australia ranking above the top 60. The song's melodic sound and synergetic vocals were the most appealing factors.

It is also often performed in the setlist of The Doobie Brothers. In retrospect, the song is from the LP "One Step Closer" It was the greatest hit from the LP.

The lyrics of the song go like this:

Darling, I know I'm just

Another head on your pillow

If only just tonight, girl

Let me hear you lie just a little

10. Takin It To The Streets

Takin It to the Streets is a track from the Doobie brothers album of the same name. According to Billboard, the track was cited as 3rd best song of the band.

It has also been a hot topic in pop culture since it was featured in the 2005 movie "The 40-Year-Old-Virgin." The quality of the music in terms of its instruments and vocals was impeccable.

Hence, the track was praised by both audience and critics. Michael McDonald contributed songwriting, lead vocals, and piano credits to the track.

The lyrics of the song go like this:

You don't know me but I'm your brother

I was raised here in this living hell

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