Doobie Brothers - Real Love

[castertunes1967]

"one step closer " album was amazing!

[lacerda70]

As a 70's kid, it does not get better than this. Makes me so nostalgic for those days.

[craig68able]

this is such an awesome song,that bass line at3:22,unfreakin real.what happened to great music like this?

[kja427]

I must say, The Doobie Brothers are just average without Michael McDonald;They just are. It's Mr. McDonald's voice that is the May Pole that everything is based around. I hope he'll never leave, and, if he did ,I hope he comes back.

[Vanasse1]

This is when there were actual musicians on the radio.... unbelievable talent...... God, I miss the days of great music.... it's all crap out there now! Michael's voice is like silk....

[evelinevalent]

Michael is heavenly, then and now

[gathomas777]

Vocals during this period ......incredible.

[OrchidTigress1]

I saw you in CA!! I miss these days!

[zebop]

Love this era of the band. Although John Hartman and Tiran Porter were gone, if they had continued like this, I wouldn't have minded. Got to love hearing Willie Weeks here...

[JimHadar1]

I'm almost positive this performance came from a special concert the Doobies did for HBO (or was it Showtime ?) back in the very early 80s. I remember watching it when it aired originally.

[universalmessenger]

Michael McDonald was the secret ingredient for The Doobie Brothers.

[TiffyCakes316]

where was this recorded? I wasn't born yet lol, but wish I could have been enjoiyng this live performance. REAL Love & Music!

[King31395]

What a fantastic singer! Even live he's totally dead on! Gorgeous

[michel1162]

Agree…Michael added something that Doobies need it to go on further in time. Great harmony and that bass line?…F//#### is good

[badlander]

Damn that's tight! Great vocals, including the backing harmonies, strong instrumentals. Just great all-around musicianship from one of my all-time favorite bands.

[castertunes1967]

In this era Michael was backup vocalist for everyone--great voice and one of a kind...enjoyed One Step Closer LP

[darylvanhorne69]

a time of special gigs!

[Midastouch1953]

Those guys were the BEST! Young or old...........he's a good man, AND I love his music.....'nuff said?

[deepfreezevideo2]

This song was written by Reverend Patrick Henderson.

[murderousbastard83]

@deepfreezevideo2 Well, him and McDonald.

[megafucksproducts]

These guys are total satanists! They even bring back that little "what a fool believes" jingle in this song. Same form essentially. Satan speaks through these guys. Perplexing soul stock market rock. The new black metal is white soul.

[Patriccio72]

That's one pure voice. It sounds better live, if that's even possible.

[muzzmatrix]

Like Van Halen, you have to respect both eras of the Doobie Brothers as they both so very nice.

[oldredun]

@muzzmatrix . . . sorry man,, no respect for post Roth Van Halen, curly boy was a total gimp.

[elesgabor]

Real music . . . . they can do it . . .

[adrionvcrystalj70]

unreal matinee concert for the doobie bros

[jessicavega1952]

Michael Mcdonald has never had a bad year... This Guy is the Bomb !!! No other man like him ..His voice...Makes you melt.. His voice is so raspy, sexy, dreamy Just got to Love him to Death... I know I do, He's my Man....

[greenwich1754]

@jessicavega1952 I get your viewpoint, given that you are a woman. While I don't bash MM like some people do, I've always felt his singing was reminiscent of someone who has just taken a mouth full of hot oatmeal, and was trying to cool it off. I kinda like his sound/voice, but his enunciation is horrible. A little Michael goes a long way - great for three or four songs, but not a whole album. Great song writer/keyboardist, though.

[timmacadocious]

I love racht rock.

[jessicavega1952]

wish i could go back in time.. And find that REAL LOVE !!!

[montanasky1192]

great！

[PacificNWJazzster]

We've both lived long enough to know that we'd trade it all right now, for just one minute of real love.

[ride80]

The music they are playing is so clean sounding, you almost think it was pre-recorded but you know they are playing it live!!

[cbr1100xxrules]

Michael was famous for making it often impossible to make out the lyrics of songs. But when you hear his voice, it doesn't matter much.

[chookfeather]

Amazes me....sounds just like the recording...NOW that is is a VOICE

[TheMarianela1966]

Bella música, me transporta al pasado, oh, que sentimiento, canta hermoso este hombre!!!

[messerdl]

OMG i was 10. but i still have the hots for michael,and he has an incredible voice

[Alikah1]

What a shame that nobody hit the dislike button! Now we have no one about whom to say .... " (fill in a number) people have never known real love."

[vodude]

Can anyone tell me why these guys aren't in the Rock & Roll HOF yet? They certainly deserve it.

[sjvsjvsjvsjv]

Holy Moly. That's what a good tight band sounds like live, and that voice---. It's been to long. Other than the old jazz guys, almost EVERY band I happen to hear now sucks. Sloppy, distorted muck. Very sad  :-(

[unclechipper]

Real love,real music.

[75tm400]

I used to listen to this song & play along with my sax @ 2:30. Nice little sax solo.

[5015dog]

This is crazy! I was at this concert celebrating my best friend Bday. It was out in front of the water on the UCSB campus. To this day I still have a MAJOR crush on Mike McDonald. What wonderful memories this brought back. What a talent. I think it was 1981. Thanks

[ClintonFischer73]

Doesn't get any better than this for me!. Today's youth are being robbed of quality music. The music scene nowaday's is making everyone nostalgic.

[bassmanjoe]

This is my favorite live version of this tune, fantastic!!!!

[camomule]

I lost my cherry to this album.  Sweetest memories!

[fmrecords]

@camomule There is nbo like button here so I will like your comment,. Cos I did too.

[fmrecords]

@camomule There is no like button here so I will like your comment,. Cos I did too.

[mtheoceanlover]

can you belive this much talent can be in just one man...michael mc donald is a rare talent that comes along only once in a lifetime..i feel blessed to be able to witness it, listen to the beautiful music he write and sings....to me, there is nothing heard more beautiful....

[HighSpeedNoDrag]

Takes me back a few years, Thanks for posting.

[billycmo]

Awesome,Thanks for Sharing!

[navymominmi]

Some say the Michael MacDonald years were terrible...sorry I just dont see it. I loved those years just as much as the earlier ones!

[Wolfsky9]

Classic song, & done live--just note perfect! Today's wanna-be singers--take a lesson from real pros. Wolfsky9

[msOctober12]

Supertune! This was one of those tunes that used to put me i a mellow place as a pre-teen. Great times!

[harryshand]

is this actually live? It's unbeleivably well performed...brilliant!

[iluvsantafe]

Sounds amazing!

[KLM1954]

Great performance!! The Doobies are one of the most underrated bands of all time - rhythm & blues, hard rock (Without You), ballads (South City Midnight Lady) - they can just flat out do it all!

[20carrocks]

AWESOME SONG. I love the Michael McDonald years with the band.

[atworkstation]

"One Step Closer" was the last album the Doobie Brothers did just before Michael McDonald began his successful solo career.

[Luvinthe70s]

We were truly a lucky generation growing up with bands like this. I mean it's unbelievable that this is a live performance. For most bands this would have been 10 across the boards for sheer perfection, harmony and vocals even in a studio setting let alone live. Simply incredible!! ~Peace and God Bless~

[cjdiazof3]

what a fool belives

[lana1350]

I agree, I love the Dobbie Brothers even if they were a little before my time. I remember my older brother sining their songs, then as I got old enough to listen to the radio I became a fan back in the 80's. I love them so much, they are one of my favorite of all times, and man that Michael McDonald, he is just the best at what he does. He is on my top 3 list of my favorite male singers.

[iluvsantafe]

I LOVE THIS SONG....spectacular!

[timmacadocious]

Very nice song. Glad to see the live version here.

[emihatov]

Is that the late, great, Cornelius Bumpus on tenor sax there?

[emihatov]

@emihatov Ok, just saw the other post pointing this out...

[TheOldskool2009]

Heard this song for the First Time 3 days ago. Love this SOng.Up there with Im not in Love Anymore..Michael McDonald smple the Best!!!

[360Alberta]

I remember this song coming home from the skating rink on saturday nights:)

[irishbelle65]

Breathtaking voice...this..is talent :) Thank you for sharing

[toitnee]

Gotta love Michael McDonald's voice

[alanparsonsfan]

And don't forget that McDonald got onto Steely Dan's masterpiece Aja album. Doesn't get any cooler than that.

[pluckhutma]

@alanparsonsfan Mike was also on Steely Dan's Katy Lied album, as well as Gaucho. Mike has been on just about everybody's album come to think about it.

[sorenrules]

Santa Barbara 30 years ago....man! 

[pluckhutma]

This song is from 1980. However the video was from The Doobie Bros farewell tour of 1982/83. Just lettin u know.

[mikeypoo76]

@pluckhutma

Their Farewell Tour took place in 1982 only. This particular performance is not from the Farewell Tour. Instead, it's from August 1981 in Santa Barbara, CA.

[fr8mover1]

Michael McDonald is a class act in and of himself. However, he was the beginning of the end for the Doobie Brothers, who were hard rockers until he came aboard. Still, you can't deny the guys talent. HUGE!

[jillyhawk]

can't go wrong with the soulful michael mcdonald and some real love...i am the same girl, but ever changing too...and the world marches on, with or without me...peace and love....jilly~

[viewtube6e]

this is an awesome performance. its giving me chills. M.McDonalds vocal is strong and soulful and clear as a bell but still possessing that throaty sexy gravel quality. Amazing.

[angryscowl]

poor mans steely dan

[hiawatha7]

fantastic video from a fantastic era of music. McDonald does not receive the recognition he deserves from his Doobie Brothers era

[MrJulius72]

@hiawatha7 I agree. The main reason is he never really reunited with the band as an official member since they broke up in '82. He has toured with them on occasion as a special guest, but never fulltime. And when the Doobies reformed in '89, they kind of went back to their early 70's days. I think that's why he doesn't get the credit he truly deserves.

[trk327]

@MrJulius72 i still think that the world is split between people who love doobie with mike/ and people who dont. its an almost even split. lol but one thing is true this man can sing what every man wants to say to a woman and this song is proof.

[MrJulius72]

@trk327 You're right, but I'm 38 so I had the fortune of becoming a fan of the group well after their prime years. I was able to appreciate all of their songs and both eras of the group. I still don't think the group gets enough credit for having so much success with two different styles.

[trk327]

@MrJulius72 100% im 34 and im a fan of both but i am mor partial to mikes work with the group. just imagine where they would be if the core had stayed together. and you are right the get almost no credit for the work they have put out. you can almost say they were one of the first rock groups to crossover to pop AND R&B, that may be why the HOF is having such a hard time inducting them in, where do you draw the line as to where the spark was ignited?

[MrJulius72]

@trk327 The fact that they're not in the HOF with the songs they've produced over the years is a joke. I do probably like the MM era just a little more because it's the kind of music I grew up hearing on the radio when I was a young kid and didn't know any better. But I love Johnston and Simmons, too. I like that they're still touring but not acting like they're 25 years younger. They're staying true.

[MisterCrazyLegs]

that voice is MAGIC...

[fivestring65]

One of my all time favorites.

[honypoboy]

Perhaps the reason they don't right them like this anymore is because Real Love isn't part of their creative process anymore. Just one mans opinion.

[Shyann1]

BEAUTIFUL......I wish we had more music like this.

[DaveWollenberg]

Hit #5 pop, #10 AC, #40 soul in Billboard. God bless!

[cbr1100xxrules]

Michael was made for this song. Love the melody and backround vocals too. Excellent and timeless!

[jbmaynar]

the harmony parts just kick ass in this live version!

[MrJulius72]

@jbmaynar The Doobies were always known for their harmony.

[Kraayzee]

@MrJulius72 Michael McDonald has an unbelievable vocal talent! Thumbs up!

[Wolfsky9]

This song will always & forever remind me of 1980, & coming to CA from the Midwest; what a great, great song, &Michael, U sure could sing that tune. Wolfsky9

[Leo060708]

I love Michael's voice I wish he would come to the UK on tour.

[shthd84]

Does their name mean that they smoke doobies?

[rihojo007]

Doobies was the nickname for amphetamines (at least in England).

[epgrove1961]

I guess The Stoner Brothers didn't sound as good as The Doobie Brothers???

[AceDynasty79]

Micheal McDonald First AppearedOn 1976 "Takin It To The Streets" Album Not In 1974, I Knew Drummer Keith Knudsen Died, But I Loved Cornelius Bumpus I Didn't Know He Died Also

This Was My Fav. Lineup Of The Doobs.

[Jamsiang]

@AceDynasty79 I believe Booby LaKind also died a few years ago he can be seen on precussion

[blackhatwizardcat]

Love this song - thanks for posting!

[scottyallen1]

Michael McDonald stepped in with the Doobies, about 1974 when founding member Tom Johnston fell to ulcers, hospitalized and nearly dying in the process, The Doobies were without Tom for a while when Michael McDonald came in and the collective group was rather impressed with his keyboard abilities and vocals going on to record hits such as Only a Fool Believes, Real Love, and Black Water. Tom Johnson later returned to the Doobies as did other members coming and going over the last 40 years

[mikeypoo76]

@scottyallen1

Actually, McDonald came onboard in 1975 after the release of Stampede. It was Jeff Baxter who joined in mid to late 1974

[ramona2400]

Micheal McDonald was the lead singer for The Doobie Brothers before going solo something like Diana Ross leaving the Supremes for a solo shot

[shingaki777]

tasty song! thx 4 uploading!! :)

[ramona2400]

LOVE LOVE LOVE MICHEAL MCDONALD

[EagleOnTheRhine]

can somebody tell me what the relationship between Micheal McDonald and the doobie brothers was? I love both of their songs, and I'm trying to learn more about all this great music.

[yankee15]

That's Cornelius Bumpus on the keyboards and sax. RIP.

[pita4851]

Yes, you are:::;;;;;;;;I'ts real love,

Your days and nights, that turn,

deep inside your heart, were nobody goes, chalking up the hurt,we live and we learn,But we both live long enough to learn,that we both trade it all, for just one min of real love, REAL LOVE,REAL LOVE, Need to believe that REAL LOVE,

Dobbie Brothers are still one of my favorites, Smile & Peace

[hmsheppard]

Ohhhh snap! This is totally vintage Doobies. It's so wonderful to see the great artists performing their stuff just as it was originally released. It's cool how much this sounds like the original 1980 recording. Fantastic upload!

[THEHUNGRYVEGETARIAN]

Thanks for posting this clip...It's great!!! I always forget just how many hits this group really had. One of the best groups...Ever!!!

[Echdrum]

Great song. Love the bass lick at 03:51

[deodato2]

@Echdrum, I completely agree!! I've always loved that bass lick everytime I watched this clip!! Willie Weeks did a fantastic job the entire concert, really...In fact, this whole concert is great!! I used to have it on an old RCA videodisc, if you can believe that, but luckily have it on DVD now...they kept most of the track listing the same, although Black Water, I think, was omitted from the DVD for some weird reason, but it was on the videodisc.

[Echdrum]

@deodato2 -thanks buddy. I am wicked jealous of your dvd now! :)

[mikeypoo76]

@deodato2

Black Water wasn't on the laserdisc. It's a shame because it's the song that would've followed Minute By Minute in the setlist...cut out of the laserdisc.

[deodato2]

Yeah, I'm not familiar with the laserdisc and it's a shame they didn't put it on that or the DVD release. Luckily, it's on the on the RCA videodisc release from the mid-80's, which I re-acquired about a couple years ago along with another videodisc player. The Black Water clip is excellent. If I can figure out how to run the player into my computer, then I'll probably be able to upload it here on YT. I'll see if I can work on that.

[solesirching73]

@Echdrum Willie Weeks (Donny Hathaway's former bass player) playing that solo while singing backup (3:51) - that's oughta be difficult for me to do that

[sda1225]

luv, luv luv!! 1 of my favorites by the Doobies. thanx 4 sharing!!

[yodavalentine]

love the song/how about it keeps you running posting?

[selectomatic1]

they dont make em like this anymore fantastic job on this song thanks doobie brothers

[MetalTeamster]

Darling, let me hear you lie just a little... too funny, that is what most females do... is lie... lol

[TzzX78]

where did the good musiclike these went??? all we hear today is trash cursing and music for idiots

[elm118]

If this is the live recording, they NAILED it!!

[thecritic23]

GREAT live performance of this song.....

M. McDonald one of the great singers of the last 30 years...got to be top 5!!!!

[peterzang]

@thecritic23 You are correct sir. And a heckuva songwriter and pianist.

[cbr1100xxrules]

@thecritic23 Gotta agree.  This is the real thing!

[kevandsue00]

I think this band has some of the best harmonies I have ever heard.

[DrClaw77]

I've heard Michael perform this many times solo, but I like the Doobies arrangement of this song best, with the guitar in front like that.

[thagoodness]

The intro is wicked! I like the chorus at 1:50 too.

[quethetee]

Love this song. One of my favorite angst love songs, period.

Michael owns this, soulful, sexy.

[savannahjan50]

Incredible.  They don't make 'em like this anymore.

[rkc415]

@savannahjan50 They sure in the hell don't....too bad.

[Cissy20]

This IS real music. Damn. I really miss turning on popular radio and being able to listen for more than 30 seconds. Classic. Amazing voice. Gotta love Michael!

[endtymsnatzal]

best song for drivin' down a tree lined highway on a hot day, with a cool breeze... sun shinin'. On a cloudy day, the sun shine's with this song playin' thanks guys

[epgrove1961]

Classic Doobies with Michael McDonald out front.

[irishmermaid4]

Patrick Simmons is a Muppet :-)

[Mrginguel]

exelente cancion , un genio michael m . y que voz mas privilegiada

[dd1985]

Love the harmony at 2:52!

Just pure!

[modmusik]

Wow. What a great "live" performance"

[epgrove1961]

The Doobies do a tune right!

[irishmermaid4]

I didn't know Kermit the Frog was a Doobie Brother...

[hardlines4]

Now this is REAL MUSIC...Todays bands need to take note on how to make a live performance sound like the original recording... lol good luck, we will NEVER have GOOD music like this again... EVER!!

[classichost]

nah man lots of legit bands out there still today, but as for REAL music being a force like it was with the ability to galvanize a whol;e society, your right it will never be that way again

[mkl62]

I saw the One Step Closer tour in November 1980 at the Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, South Carolina. They played this, along with the title track, Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, & Keep This Train A Rollin'. They also did their other hits. They opened with the instrumental part of I Cheat the Hangman, then went into Take Me in Your Arms, then Depending on You. Louisiana's LeRoux opened. It was a great show.

[usrrname1]

Thank you for the music memories created with my Father. For a brief moment I was that little girl in his truck.  I sure do miss my Dad...

[taraarro]

i love michael mcdonald's vocals so much...i just wish i could understand what he was singing most of the time!

[lanceflatul]

That is so funny. My wife used to say the same thing. The said he mumbled too much and didn't enunciate his words properly. I sang this song to her while she played the piano chords and she still had that warped expression on her face. Uh-boy, Opera singers!

[ishredu]

yeah it would sound pretty awful if he enunciated every word..come one now

[blue2elmer]

Cornelius Bumpus is Amazing!! wow he was great, both here in with Steely Dan. RIP great musician.

The DOOBIES Rule!!!!

[toitnee]

I love the Doobie Brother's..I love Michael McDonald and his sexy voice...good times.

[shuttlemasterbkg]

No faking here. Real vocals/harmonies, real instruments. What's happened to real music?

[iceygurl01]

real music!!! real love!!!

[ishredu]

1980? the tune came out in nov. 1980 is this before the recording was made? it would have to be if this were 1980

[Pudsmoke]

The single hit the Billboard top 40 in September of 1980.

[ishredu]

right it was nov. 1980 my point is that this had to be made at exactly about the time they released it or it's a year later (weather) there is still foliage on the trees,,I dunno this looks like septemeber to me which would be BEFORE they released it

[mikeypoo76]

This performance comes Santa Barbara, CA in the summer of 1981.

[ishredu]

exactly it had to be the "1980" in the text is erroneous

[epgrove1961]

Great love song.

[perriziapcl]

he is so sexy and his voice is amazing

[Mel0132]

From the greatest era of music! Not remixed, recycled, imitated. but original and genuine with real musicians!

[Ohio717]

Back in the days when Music was Music!!!

[queenlewi]

i promise i would've died if i went to their concert and heard this song. i love this album!

[Supamoo1]

Thank you for uploading this video!

Greatly appreciated.

[dojotai]

:O:O!!!: this its so great thanks for uploading! :) .. really awesome! nice job scarpett

[Scarpett]

You're welcome mysterytrax! by the way you did a really good observation 'bout the bass. I love this video. Michael McDonald's voice is superb! thanks for writing

[mysterytrax]

THANKS Scarpett

This is vintage footage and audio of the boys and much appreciated by this

Doobie Brothers / Michael McDonald fan.

They did this great "live", I must say.

Right down to that classic bass run towards the end of song at 3:53.

This rocked, BIG time.