In 1978, Kenny Loggins helped create a song that would go on to become one of the defining soft rock hits of its era.
The song "What a Fool Believes" was written by Loggins and Michael McDonald and first appeared on Loggins' album « Nightwatch » 1978.
While Loggins released the song as a single and achieved moderate success with it, few could have predicted how significant the song would eventually become.
The song was born from conversations between Loggins and McDonald, who developed the idea around a man desperately trying to rekindle a romance that exists only in his own memories. Its bittersweet plot and exquisite melody immediately set it apart from many pop songs of the era.
«Around noon, I parked on the street in front of Michael’s house,” Loggins said. The Wall Street Journal newspaper. "When I got my Taylor acoustic guitar out of the car, I heard Michael playing the piano. His front door was open. Michael was playing and singing a verse. When he stopped, my imagination ran wild. Even before I knocked on his door, I already had the melody and the line for the bridge.".
Loggins' original version showcased their strengths as a songwriting duo, combining thoughtful lyrics with a polished West Coast production and smooth vocals.
But the story of "What a Fool Believes" was just beginning.
In 1979, McDonald returned to the song with his band, The Doobie Brothers. Their version, featuring McDonald's signature vocal style and an even more polished arrangement, was a huge commercial success. The recording reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helped turn the song into one of the most famous hits of the late 1970s.
Although the Doobie Brothers' version became a hit, the song itself remained closely associated with Loggins, who was involved in writing it from the very beginning.
«"Kenny's solo version was released first, in July 1978," McDonald said. The Guardian newspaper. "It was more of a creative arrangement with his producer, Bob James, a phenomenal jazz pianist. The Doobie Brothers kept the song in its simplest form and decided there was no need to go into detail, just trying to capture its spirit.".
The song's success also underscored Loggins's considerable talent as a songwriter. Long before he became known for soundtracks like Footloose and Danger Zone, he was already crafting sophisticated pop songs that left an indelible mark on popular music.
"What a Fool Believes" became one of the most famous songs of its generation, gaining widespread recognition within the music industry and helping to shape the yacht rock and soft rock sound that continues to experience a revival today.
Decades later, the song remains a fixture on classic radio stations, streaming service playlists, and retrospective compilations celebrating the best music of the 1970s.
For Loggins, it's one of the best examples of how a songwriter's influence extends far beyond a single record. Although another band's version became a number-one hit, the song's origins can be traced directly to the collaboration between Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, a partnership that produced one of soft rock's most enduring anthems.
See also: 1977 rock song, nearly 17 minutes long, remains a classic 49 years later.
This article was originally published by Parade on June 4, 2026, in the Entertainment section. Add Parade to your list of recommended sources by clicking here.