Continuing my look at the albums of 1976…
Tom Johnston, founding member and lead singer of The Doobie Brothers, had a rough time in the early 70s. An arrest for marijuana possession was followed by a debilitating case of stomach ulcers that landed him in the hospital.
The band had to turn elsewhere in order to keep up their touring schedule, and enlisted singer/songwriter Michael McDonald to sit in on keyboards and lead vocals. McDonald expected the gig to end with the tour, but to his surprise the band asked him to stay on as they entered the studio to record a new album.
That album was Takin’ it To the Streets, a transitional record for the band from their early rock sound to the blue-eyed soul of later years.
McDonald wrote or co-wrote four of the album’s nine tracks, including the title track and today’s SOTD, both Top 40 hits. He sang lead vocals on those tracks as well, his distinctive warm baritone adding a whole new dimension to the band.
As a yacht rock lover, I’m totally in the bag for Michael McDonald. And as much as I like some early Doobie Brothers hits, I like his contributions even more. This album makes that clearer than ever, as his songs are easily the standouts.
Say, where you gonna go?
Girl, where you gonna hide?
You go on leavin’ out your heart
And all it’s sayin’ down deep inside
Oh, darlin’
From here I can feel your heartbeat
Oh, you got me all wrong
You ain’t got no worry
You just been lonely too long
Oh, I know
[Pre-Chorus]
I know what it means to hide your heart
From a long time ago
Oh, darlin’
[Chorus]
It keeps you runnin’, yeah, it keeps you runnin’ (It keeps you runnin’)
It keeps you runnin’, yeah, it keeps you runnin’ (It keeps you runnin’)
It keeps you runnin’, yeah, it keeps you runnin’ (Well)
It keeps you runnin’, yeah, it keeps you runnin’
[Verse 2]
Oh, I know how you feel
Hey, you know I been there
But what you’re keepin’ to yourself
Oh, you know it just ain’t fair
Oh, darlin’
Are you gonna worry
For the rest of your life? Hey, yeah
Why you in such a hurry
To be lonely one more night? Hey, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
Well, I know what it means to hide your heart
From a long time ago
Oh, darlin’
[Chorus]
It keeps you runnin’, yeah, it keeps you runnin’ (It keeps you runnin’, hey, yeah)
It keeps you runnin’, yeah, it keeps you runnin’ (I know it does, baby)
It keeps you runnin’, yeah, it keeps you runnin’
It keeps you runnin’, yeah, it keeps you runnin’ (It keeps you runnin’)
Meet Me In Montauk 
I too am a fan of the Michael McDonald era of the Doobie Brothers, although I generally can’t play songs like this one or “Taking it to the Streets” around Amy because the repetitive choruses drive her a bit crazy.🤪 For me though, I consider the vocals of these types of songs, like Sting’s songs as well, to be more like a musical instrument so I just go with the groove and let it wash over me.
I had to look up the term “yacht rock” cause I hadn’t heard it before. Sounds like music I like to listen to as well. “Soft rock with some R&B as well as breezy vocals” thanks for the introduction 🥰