We’re back again for the second installment of Thursday Threesome where we present three songs that are seemingly unrelated, let you watch/listen to the videos THEN reveal how they’re related. Ready? Let’s go!
#1 Kenny Loggins “This It It” (1979)
#2 Van Halen “I’ll Wait” (1984)
#3 The Doobie Brothers “Takin’ It To The Streets”
Think you know the connection?
Here we go…
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This week’s songs were all written or co-written by Michael McDonald of Doobie Brothers fame as well as Steely Dan and a successful solo career as well. Considered one of the biggest names in the blue-eyed soul genre, he’s considered an influential figure in the development of what is considered today as the yacht rock or soft rock genre. His voice is smooth as butter and recognizable almost immediately. He’s performed as a prominent backing vocalist on numerous records and collaborated with the likes of James Ingram, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Toto, and others. He’s also the recipient of 5 Grammy awards. Some facts about this week’s songs:
- “This Is It” was co-written with Loggins reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy in 1981. They both have said that it’s not a “love” song as much as it is a “life” song.
- A collaboration with Van Halen (specifically David Lee Roth) sounds like a really weird combo. Read a little background on the co-writing of “I’ll Wait” here.
- “Taking It To The Streets” was the first Doobie Brothers song I ever heard. It was on an episode of the 70’s sitcom “What’s Happening”. I like it so much I talked my parents into buying me the Doobie Brothers album Best Of The Doobies. I fell in love with that album and the band. “Taking It To The Streets” was the band’s first single that was written and sang by Michael and it reached #13 on the Billboard chart.
For more fun, check out previous Thursday Threesome articles.
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