Minute by Minute Songs Ranked
Minute by Minute is the eighth studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released on December 1, 1978, by Warner Bros. Records. It was their last album to include members John Hartman (until Cycles) and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. The album spent 87 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart and spent two weeks at number one. In the spring of 1979 Minute by Minute was the best-selling album in the U.S. for five non-consecutive weeks. It was certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA. The song “What a Fool Believes” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1979 and became the band’s biggest hit. The title track and “Depending on You” were also released as singles and reached the top 30. Minute by Minute made The Doobie Brothers one of the big winners at the 22nd Grammy Awards. The album got the trophy for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and received a nomination for Album of the Year; the single “What a Fool Believes” earned them three Grammys, including Song and Record of the Year. Here are all of the Minute by Minute songs ranked.
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10. Don’t Stop to Watch the Wheels
“”Don’t Stop to Watch the Wheels” is a hot grooving slice of ever so slightly funk-tainted rock. There’s some harmonica wanking for anyone that’s into that, and the whole thing feels kinda like an MOR Cream to me, which is probably completely off base but it popped into my head so I’m writing it because I don’t give a damn”
9. Open Your Eyes
“My other personal favourite Michael Mcdonald Song on here is, “Open Your Eyes” because ive felt like the person in that song and not knowing for sure if youre in a relationship thats, “real” and i wish i could sing this song to my exes at the time of our breakups but oh well.”
8. Dependin’ on You
“This song is actually a co-write with Pat Simmons who takes the lead vocal and also the very Ernie Isley-styled guitar solo with McDonald really only joining the track vocally for the last minute or so. It’s an okay track with a solid enough tune, proficiently played and sung, as you’d expect, but it doesn’t stand out as one of the band’s very best.”
See more: The Doobie Brothers Albums Ranked
7. Sweet Feelin’
“The lovely and overlooked “Sweet Feelin'” has the superb harmony vocals of Larson and McDonald so beautifully complimenting Simmons on lead.”
6. Minute by Minute
“By this time, especially after the number one single success of “What A Fool Believes”, Michael McDonald’s smooth, blue-eyed soul, keyboard sound had come to dominate the band. He was contributing the more commercial material too as witness this, the album’s title track and lead off single. It’s good too, noodling its way forward before settling into a surefooted groove. McDonald’s vocal, and indeed his own backing vocals add texture to a typically smooth production.”
5. Steamer Lane Breakdown
“It really deserves to be played at volume. This guitar-playing style will never date, whereas McDonald’s keyboard style is very much of the period and now casts a long shadow over what were some great melodies and vocals.”
See more: The Doobie Brothers Songs Ranked
4. What a Fool Believes
“The #1 hit song What A Fool Believes, co-authored by Michael with Kenny Loggins, takes home three grammy awards at the end of the year, and is one of the very few songs during the year to unseat disco singles from the #1 position”
3. You Never Change
“Listening to this entire album was a treat. “You Never Change” was a pleasant surprise, since it was briefly used in the first Yacht Rock episode as well. The rest of the tracks share an insanely smooth production that serves as a testament to Ted Templeman’s abilities. The band is in top notch shape and manages to deliver some fantastic ditties.”
2. Here to Love You
“The album elevated McDonald into legendary status, and feels almost perfect at times – Here To Love You is a real funky, soulful song that brings out the best of McDonald’s writing and earthy vocals. Always one of my favorite tunes.”
1. How Do the Fools Survive?
“The album closes with “How Do The Fools Survive?,” which sounds very much like a Steely Dan song, and is as good musically (check out the Pat Metheny-esque guitar solos) as anything Donald and Walter ever recorded.”
