What Is the Doobie Brothers' Signature Song?

Long Train Runnin' is a good one, but it's one where the lyrics are unintelligible. Still does get a lot of play on classic rock stations.
China Grove has that epic riff - immediately recognizable
Listen to the Music has a great groove.
Black Water stands out from the others because of the hooky a capella section.

Seems like I heard these four all over the radio back in the day - not sure that I heard one more than the other three.

Then when McDonald joined, Takin' it to the Streets and What a Fool Believes were huge. What A Fool Believes seemed to launch a lot of soundalikes, and then Aretha Franklin covered WAFB.

 

You just proved why The Doobies are great.

 

Either Listen To The Music or Long Train Runnin'. I voted for the former.

 

China Grove....

 

So troobie.

 

Hard choice, but I choose Black Water. Not only for the hooky a capella section or that it's the only one of the six I mentioned written by Patrick Simmons, the one constant of the band's main songwriters, but that it couldn't come from any other band. It sounds like the Doobies.

 

Seems like some still don't know what a "signature song" is...

 

Which selections are you having trouble with just out of curiosity?

 

Listen To The Music was the first thing that popped into my head so I went with that.
Black Water would be my second choice.

 

My first thought as well.

However, that excludes Patrick Simmons from contention, which just seems wrong. Love his songs, especially South City Midnight Lady and Black Water.

 

I agree. How did Oatsdad fail to include “Dependin’ On You”?

 

Why don't you call out who those "some" are, so that you can set them straight? "Some" people like to learn!

 

I think what Sex, Lies And Mastertapes is saying is that some people seem to confuse "signature songs" with their "own personal favorites". An artist's signature song is the one that most people would recognize (that is, not just their faithful fanbase). As much as I love "Black Water", I highly doubt that the majority of music listeners who are familiar with The Doobie Brothers would describe it as their signature song.

 

Why not? It was their first #1 single, and is still played on classic rock and oldies / easy listening radio to this day.

 

Let's "Turn The Page" on that discussion.

 

In Ireland it would be Long Train... and What a Fool....

 

IMO, the Doobies are one of those acts that does not have one. They have several very popular songs all of which have about the same cultural resonance.

 

Listen to the Music is the one that immediately came to my mind. There was even a cheesy techno version in the early '90s:

 

I completely understand the concept of “signature song” v favorite tune. I’d give people the benefit of the doubt; especially with a band with this many hits.

 

Black Water

 

I voted for WAFB, because McDonald's voice is more distinctive than Johnston or Simmons. Also, McDonald's songs crossed over into other genres so they appealed to a wider audience.

 

Wish it was Black Water. Went with Listen to the Music

 

Not sure that people in general think of the hit McDonald era songs as The Doobie Brothers, even if they're aware of the songs. The Doobie Brothers ethos is more early 70s with a dose of hippie identification. If we think of Jesus as a hippie, it becomes clear that the signature song is "Jesus is Just Alright".

 

There are a number of songs in the poll that have no place in a Doobies sig song discussion. I included them to be "generous" and head off complaints, but some clearly don't qualify.

"Black Water" is a legit contender, IMO. I didn't vote for it but it's a very well-known song and worth inclusion in the discussion...

 

Black Water is one of their key songs no doubt.