Michael McDonald is the king of blue-eyed soul. His voice is everywhere, and we are forever grateful for that. Any music fan knows he was the lead singer of the Doobie Brothers for some of their biggest hits (“Takin’ it To the Streets,” “What a Fool Believes” and “Real Love” to name a few). Those same fans know his big solo hits (“Sweet Freedom” and “No Lookin’ Back”) And his biggest fans will tell you they know about his contributions as backing vocalist for Steely Dan in his pre-Doobie Bros days. They might even know that he has a side band with Boz Scaggs and Donald Fagen called the Dukes of September. The list below holds many surprises that even some of the biggest self-proclaimed Michael McDonald fans don’t know. So, the next time you’re at a cookout and someone brags about knowing that McDonald sang backing vocals on Steely Dan’s “Peg” or that they went to see the Dukes of September, drop some of these facts on them.
McDonald sings backing vocals for Little Feat on “Red Streamliner” from 1977’s Time Loves a Hero as well as the live version from 1978’s Waiting for Columbus.
“You Belong to Me” by Carly Simon – which became one of her biggest hits peaking at number 6 on Billboard Hot 100 – was co-written by McDonald.
McDonald co-wrote Pablo Cruise’s “You’re Out to Lose” from their 1978 hit album Worlds Away.
He co-wrote “What a Fool Believes” and “This is It” with Kenny Loggins. “What a Fool Believes” became a number one hit in 1979 for the Doobie Brothers. McDonald also provided backing vocals on “This is It,” also from 1979. The song peaked at number 11 and won a Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance.
Provided background vocals on Elton John’s “Victim of Love” from 1979’s Victim of Love album.
Yes, that is Michael McDonald singing backing vocals on “Ride Like the Wind” by Christopher Cross. The song would hit number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1980 and is a staple in the Yacht Rock genre.
Contributed backing vocals and co-wrote Kenny Loggins’ hit “Heart to Heart” from 1982’s High Adventure album and also co-wrote two other songs on the album “Only a Miracle” and “I Gotta Try.”
Co-wrote Van Halen’s “I’ll Wait” from 1984. The track hit number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Sang backing vocals on El Debarge’s 1986 hit “Who’s Johnny?” which peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Credited with backing vocals on Wang Chung’s 1986 hit album Mosaic.
Co-wrote and sang backing vocals on hard rock band Honeymoon Suite’s “Long Way Back” from 1988’s Racing After Midnight.
Wrote “In the Name of Love” on Rick Astley’s Free album 1991 and sang backing vocals
Credited as backing vocalist on Dave Matthews Band “What Would You Say”
Rapper Warren G sampled “I Keep Forgettin” for his hit “Regulate.”
Appears on Thundercat’s 2017 album Drunk as co-writer, along with Kenny Loggins and Thundercat for the song “Show You the Way.’ McDonald also provides vocals and keyboards for the song.
Co-wrote “You Made Me Feel” with Clint Black for his One Emotion album from 1994.
Co-wrote Cheap Trick’s “Tell Me Everything” from their 1994 album Woke Up with a Monster.
Final Note: “Steal Away,” the 1980 hit song by Robbie Dupree, does not include Mr. McDonald on backing vocals.
