"Here to Love You" by The Doobie Brothers

Song#:  0908
Date:  02/06/1982
Debut:  81
Peak:  62
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Soft Rock



Pop Bits:  By this time the Doobies were calling it quits which effectively ended the Michael McDonald era of the group. The changes in personnel and sound had weighed on the band along with the imminent departure of chief writer/vocalist McDonald. With no original members left and no direction, the group called it a day. They rallied for a final farewell tour and a compilation of the era, "Best of the Doobies, Vol. II," was issued. This single from the comp was originally released on their Grammy-winning "Minute By Minute" album. It didn't do that well and this second iteration of the Doobies ended with a thud.

ReduxReview:  While this was a good opening track to the "Minute By Minute" album, it doesn't make a good single. It's kind of a rambling blue-eyed soul tune that lacks an immediate hook or chorus. With the group in chaos, getting any kind of new single to push was probably out of the question, so this seemed to be tossed out to promote the hits disc. As pleasant as it is to hear the tune, it just isn't single-worthy.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  The Michael McDonald era of the group produced one #1 hit - 1979's "What a Fool Believes." Written by McDonald and Kenny Loggins, the song went on to win the Grammys for both Song and Record of the Year. Michael Jackson is said to have provided backing vocals on this tune that were uncredited. However, nothing exists to prove this is fact.

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