Some songs just glide in with a groove so smooth that you're hooked before the first verse even begins. That's exactly what Ace accomplished with "How Long."
Released in 1974 from the band's debut album Five-A-Side, "How Long" became Ace's signature hit, climbing all the way to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. While it was technically released before the golden age of yacht rock, it's become one of those songs that fans of the genre proudly claim as an early classic.
For me, this song has always represented everything that's great about the softer side of the '70s. That opening bass line is instantly recognizable. Before Paul Carrack even sings a word, you already know exactly what song is coming on. Then his soulful voice takes over, and suddenly you're transported to another time.
Carrack has one of those voices that never seems to age. It's warm, effortless, and emotional without ever sounding over-the-top. Long before he found success with Mike + The Mechanics or lent his vocals to Squeeze, he was delivering one of the smoothest performances of the decade right here.
One of the things I always loved about "How Long" is that it sounds like it's about a relationship gone wrong. Most people assume it's about discovering an unfaithful lover, but that's not actually the case. Paul Carrack wrote the song after learning that Ace's bass player had been secretly playing with another band. It's essentially a song about betrayal between bandmates rather than romance—a twist that surprises people even today.
Musically, though, none of that bitterness comes through. Instead, you get an easy-going blend of soft rock, blue-eyed soul, jazz influences, and impeccable musicianship. It's the kind of record that sounds just as good cruising down the highway with the windows down as it does relaxing on the back deck on a summer evening.
This is also one of those songs that perfectly demonstrates why yacht rock has become so beloved in recent years. It's sophisticated without being pretentious. Every instrument has room to breathe, the harmonies are flawless, and the groove is so effortless that it almost feels accidental. Of course, it wasn't accidental at all; it was simply a group of incredibly talented musicians making music that has stood the test of time.
While Ace never duplicated the success of "How Long," the song itself has become immortal. It regularly appears on yacht rock playlists, classic rock radio stations, and countless "best of the '70s" collections. New generations continue to discover it, proving that truly great songs never really disappear.
Every time I hear that unmistakable bass line, I find myself smiling before the lyrics even begin. It's one of those records that never gets old. Whether you're a longtime yacht rock fan or just beginning to explore the genre, "How Long" deserves a permanent place on your playlist.
Certain songs instantly transport you back to a specific time and place. For me, one of those songs is Michael McDonald's "What a Fool Believes." The moment those opening notes hit, I'm right back in grade school, hearing my dad's stereo fill the house with what we now lovingly call yacht rock.
Back then, we didn't have a name for it. It was simply the music our parents played. The smooth melodies, polished production, and incredible musicianship were everywhere. While my friends were listening to whatever was topping the pop charts, I was soaking up the sounds of Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, and the Doobie Brothers.
Released in 1979 by The Doobie Brothers, "What a Fool Believes" became one of the band's biggest hits and helped define an entire era of soft rock. Written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, the song is deceptively upbeat for a tune that's actually about heartbreak, regret, and self-delusion. McDonald's soulful voice gives every line an emotional weight that still resonates decades later.
Of course, Michael McDonald would go on to become one of the most recognizable voices in music. You can identify him within seconds on a record. That distinctive blue-eyed soul sound made him a star not only with The Doobie Brothers but also as a solo artist and collaborator on countless hits throughout the 1980s.
One thing younger fans may not know is that Michael even made a memorable appearance on the sitcom Mad About You. In a hilarious recurring gag, he was revealed to be the lead singer of the fictional band that performed the show's theme song, "The Final Frontier." It was a fun bit that showed he had a great sense of humor about his fame and instantly made me like him even more.
Today, yacht rock has experienced a massive resurgence. What was once considered "dad music" is now celebrated by multiple generations who appreciate its craftsmanship and timeless appeal. And honestly, I get it. These songs were built to last.
Whenever I hear "What a Fool Believes," I think about those childhood afternoons when my dad would put on a record and let the music play. I didn't realize it then, but those songs were becoming part of the soundtrack of my life. Decades later, they still sound just as good.
Maybe that's the real magic of yacht rock. It isn't just music; it's memories. And few songs capture that feeling better than "What a Fool Believes."
There are certain songs that instantly transport you back to a specific time and place. For me, one of those songs is The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes." The moment those opening notes hit, I'm right back in grade school, hearing my dad's stereo fill the house with what we now lovingly call yacht rock.
Back then, we didn't have a name for it. It was simply the music our parents played. The smooth melodies, polished production, and incredible musicianship were everywhere. While my friends were listening to whatever was topping the pop charts, I was soaking up the sounds of Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, and the Doobie Brothers.
Released in 1979 by The Doobie Brothers, "What a Fool Believes" became one of the band's biggest hits and helped define an entire era of soft rock. Written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, the song is deceptively upbeat for a tune that's actually about heartbreak, regret, and self-delusion. McDonald's soulful voice gives every line an emotional weight that still resonates decades later.
Of course, Michael McDonald would go on to become one of the most recognizable voices in music. You can identify him within seconds on a record. That distinctive blue-eyed soul sound made him a star not only with The Doobie Brothers but also as a solo artist and collaborator on countless hits throughout the 1980s.
One thing younger fans may not know is that Michael even made a memorable appearance on the sitcom Mad About You. In a hilarious recurring gag, he was revealed to be the lead singer of the fictional band that performed the show's theme song, "The Final Frontier." It was a fun bit that showed he had a great sense of humor about his fame and instantly made me like him even more.
Today, yacht rock has experienced a massive resurgence. What was once considered "dad music" is now celebrated by multiple generations who appreciate its craftsmanship and timeless appeal. And honestly, I get it. These songs were built to last.
Whenever I hear "What a Fool Believes," I think about those childhood afternoons when my dad would put on a record and let the music play. I didn't realize it then, but those songs were becoming part of the soundtrack of my life. Decades later, they still sound just as good.
Maybe that's the real magic of yacht rock. It isn't just music, it's memories. And few songs capture that feeling better than "What a Fool Believes."
There are yacht rock songs, and then there are yacht rock songs. Player's "Baby Come Back" firmly falls into the second category.
Released in 1977, "Baby Come Back" is one of those tracks that somehow manages to sound both heartbreakingly sincere and impossibly smooth at the same time. The second those opening notes hit, I'm transported to a world of sunset cruises, mirrored sunglasses, and the kind of soft rock perfection that yacht rock fans live for.
What makes the song so special is its simplicity. It's a guy admitting he made a mistake and wants another chance. That's it. No complicated metaphors. No over-the-top drama. Just pure regret wrapped up in one of the catchiest melodies ever recorded. The chorus is so infectious that even people who swear they don't know the song somehow end up singing along by the second "Baby come back..."
Player consisted of Peter Beckett, J.C. Crowley, John Friesen, and guitarist Ronn Moss, and together they created one of the defining hits of the late '70s. The harmonies are flawless, the production is silky smooth, and the song perfectly captures the laid-back sophistication that would later become synonymous with yacht rock.
Of course, for soap opera fans, Ronn Moss is a familiar face for a completely different reason. Long before social media turned actors into household names, Moss became a daytime television icon as Ridge Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful. He spent an incredible 25 years starring on the CBS soap, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in daytime television history. It's always fun to remind people that before all the fashion shows, love triangles, and Forrester family drama, he was helping create one of the greatest soft rock classics ever recorded.
Part of the magic of "Baby Come Back" is that it has never really gone away. The song continues to pop up in movies, television shows, commercials, and playlists dedicated to the golden age of soft rock. New generations discover it every year, and longtime fans never seem to get tired of hearing it.
Maybe that's because great songs don't age. They simply find new listeners.
For me, "Baby Come Back" remains one of the crown jewels of yacht rock, a perfect blend of smooth vocals, impeccable musicianship, and just enough heartbreak to make you hit repeat. If you're building the ultimate yacht rock playlist, this song isn't optional. It's required listening.
"Someone found a letter you wrote me On the radio And they told the world just how you felt It must have fallen out of a hole In your old brown overcoat They never said your name But I knew just who they meant I was so surprised and shocked And I wondered, too If by chance you heard it for yourself I never told a soul Just how I've been feeling about you But they said it really loud They said it on the air On the radio"
I figured a little disco might help me (and you) to get moving this morning. Donna Summer has always been a favorite. I remember my dad putting one of her greatest hits albums on tape and I then inherited the vinyl. I don't think any of my friend's had ever heard "Macarthur Park" before I played it on my little record player. I loved everything by her but my very favorite has always been "On The Radio".
I can remember being down the shore (Jersey of course) and walking the boardwalk when a downpour started. My parents and I ducked into a place to eat and right across from us was the movie theater which was showing The Main Event, a movie that I was way too young to see. The title track to the film was by Donna and Barbra Streisand and inside the pizza place where we sat, who was on the jukebox? Of course, Donna.
She had a way of unintentionally providing the soundtrack for bullet point moments in my life. Like when I was pregnant with my first kid, Donna Summer had a VH1 special that blew up and the cd lived in my stereo forever. Her passing at age 63 in 2012 was far too young and under questionable circumstances. She had developed lung cancer in spite of never smoking. Donna maintained that her illness was caused by toxic fumes from 9-11. It's still a bit sad to me to think that she's not somewhere belting out a song. Check out a classic below.
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ICYMI
When I was growing up in the late seventies The Doobie Brothers were truly a staple in my house. My dad was WAY into classic rock and for two hours each night (like it or not), I was given the kind of musical education that will truly last for my entire lifetime. The older I get, the more I realize just how much I love songs like "Long Train Running" or "China Grove" and it's not just because the bands' four Grammy's and 48 million records sold tell me that I should. I genuinely appreciate the intricacies of their work.
The Doobie Brothers are spending their summer on the road co-headling a tour with Steely Dan, a combination that sounds like nothing short of perfection to me. While their styles are technically different, they compliment each other fantastically. Somewhere between tour stops in Utah and Colorado, Tom Johnston, founding member/lead vocalist/guitarist, gave me a few minutes of his time to discuss life on the road and new music to come from The Doobies.
(Photo: Andrew Macpherson)
Cate Meighan: I know that you've been out on tour with Steely Dan for a while now. How is that going?
Tom Johnston: We've been out on the road for about a month and a half now and we've got another month and a half to go. The crowds have been great and I'm happy to see that they're embracing a wide spectrum show like this. There's quite a difference in our musical styles, but somehow they seem to really compliment each other and I think it's great. We've played with Steely Dan as recently as last year, but this is the first actual tour that we've done with them in many moons (laughing). We played with them back in the 70's and now Donald (Fagen) has got something really great going on with a very large group of exceptional players and they put on a great show. The crowds have been very into it and vocal- dancing around having a great time and so it has been a lot of fun interacting with the crowd.
CM: It seems to be a great summer in general for rock tours and the fans are truly excited about the shows coming to venues near them.
TJ: I think besides being a great escape mechanism, the idea is always for people to just come out and have a great time. Forget about your troubles for a little while and just immerse yourself in the music. In this case, they know songs from both bands so it's not like their going to a show where they won't know a portion of the music. They're already familiar with it and it's already a bit of a comfort zone for them. We're very fortunate to still be on the road and doing this after so many years.
CM: Are you seeing a variety of different generations at your shows now?
TJ: We generally see people at our shows ranging from their 30's to their 60's, but we're also seeing some kids who are big fans of both bands and really into the music. That's gratifying when you realize that you've reached that many people with your music and that it means something to them. It's nice when they decide to take the time out of their busy lives to come and see a show. I think it's great when people go back and check out music from the past and the ability is definitely there, most notably by downloading it. That has become the go-to way for most people to listen to music and it has changed the way that music, be it old or new, is presented to the public.
CM: Everything changes and evolves over time so how has life on the road changed for you over the years?
TJ: In the 70's we flew, I mean early on we were in a Winnebago (laughing), but then we flew. Quite frankly that was great and I loved it. Nowadays it's all buses and it has been since we reformed back in 1989. That's basically how most people tour unless of course, you're in the top echelon because then you've got a private jet. We're not there just yet so we're on a tour bus like most everybody else.
We play an hour and a half every night and then Steely Dan comes out and I think that they play for about two hours. After that, we all head to our buses and hit the road for the next town. It's not nearly as glamorous as people often think (laughing).
CM: It's not all glamorous, so what keeps you out there on the road?
TJ: It's the playing for sure. I'll always love playing the most and then interacting with the crowd. The best moment of the night for me is always when the crowd starts responding. When they're singing the songs and they know the words. To me, that interaction is what it's all about and it makes all of the traveling worthwhile.
We're very fortunate to be able to do this because there is a demand for this show. People want to see the bands that are out on this tour and so it's a joy to get out there and play every night. I guess people look at it as a job, but we really don't see it that way because it's more of a privilege to get paid for doing what you love.
(Photo: Kelly A. Swift)
CM: I know that the band has been working on new music. Is there an update on the status of the next project?
TJ: It's really in progress and I have no idea when it's going to come out. We started working on some things last year and we've also been writing on our own. One song is semi-recorded for demo purposes. I'm not anxious to get off this tour, but when I get home I am looking forward to going back and working on the new stuff. I think it's imperative that we put out new material.
Technology has really changed how we do things too. In the old days, you had yourself and a guitar. You came up with chord changes and lyrics. Nowadays with the software that exists you can have your own studio in your house. You can lay down the track- play the drums, you can play the bass, the keyboards. Then you can also play guitar right into the computer and you can sing into the computer as well. Back then, you would grab maybe a drummer to work with and take a song as far as you could. Then you would bring it to the studio with a producer and the whole band so that everybody could come up with parts. The producer would come up with ideas and the song would come to fruition that way. Now with all of the technology, you can walk in with a complete idea of what you have in mind. It doesn't mean that it won't get changed, but you're able to present a much more detailed version of what you're trying to do and I absolutely love it.
(Photo: Kelly A. Swift)
You still have to start with a good idea though. You need chord changes and an idea of where you want the song to go. That part of it is still the same.
The writing process is a bit different for me now though because I used to write alone. Now I'm realizing that to do it with other people that have ideas when you're stuck, is a real blessing. It moves the process along and they may have some really great ideas that I would never have thought of, so it's great. Sometimes when you're writing alone you find yourself running into a wall, for whatever reason, that you just can't break through. Then when you get with someone else they'll break that wall right down for you which is fantastic. I'm looking forward to getting as many songs written as possible and then choosing what songs to use and getting them out. I think it's imperative for a band to keep moving forward. It doesn't matter how long you've been doing this, you still need to stay as fresh as you can. I think if you rest on your laurels you're giving up something, so moving forward helps to make it all valid for me.
CM: How far in advance do The Doobie Brothers plan their next career moves?
TJ: Well planning a few months ahead happens, like now we know that we'll be out on the road this summer with Steely Dan. Then in the fall, we have another tour and in the interim, we know that we're going to be working on new stuff. We're busy all the time, doing different things in different places but I can't imagine ever planning a whole year in advance. Life kind of handles itself sometimes and you just have to go with it.
(Photo: Andrew Macpherson)
Keep up to date on everything that The Doobie Brothers have going on by bookmarking their official site. Check out their tour dates here and grab some of the bands' merch too!
ICYMI- we are flashing back to some of the best of the best content here at DailyBOOM.
I honestly can’t remember a point in my life when Foreigner wasn’t one of the musical fibers helping to hold my memories together. I can easily flashback to when I was six-years-old, curled up in my dad’s ugly green chair with his headphones on listening to Foreigner, as I held their album in my lap. My father was a DJ back when stations were first changing over to an album rock format and he was happy to bring his work (in the form of vinyl imports) home with him. I always got to pick a song to listen to before I went to bed and dad was thrilled when “Feels Like the First Time” replaced “Disco Duck”. I quickly noticed that if I picked “right” he would let me keep his headphones on for a few songs and falling asleep to the first side of Foreigner’s eponymous effort happened to me more than a few times.
It was the synth that first grabbed my attention but by the time I was a pre-teen I really understood how important each and every musician (Lou Gramm, Mick Jones, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliott, Rick Wills, Ed Gagliardi) was to the band and how they all played a crucial part in creating that unmistakable sound. It’s a sound that regularly lives on in millions of households even now, forty-plus years later.
Longtime fans were thrilled last year when the original band joined the current lineup onstage for a handful of shows. Those gigs were so special and well-received that “Super Foreigner” will reunite again in October for a few more Double Vision: Then & Now shows. I had an opportunity to speak with Lou Gramm, the man whose voice has helped to sell over 80 million albums. It's an interview that I feel like I've prepared 40 years for, and both his insight and his hindsight are uniquely valuable.
Lou Gramm & Rick Wills
Photo: Cate Meighan
Cate Meighan: How did those first reunion shows feel to you and what was it like to have those particular audiences in the palm of your hand?
Lou Gramm: “Well, to reunite was unbelievable. It had been a lot of years since that band had taken the stage together and so it felt really powerful. Everyone was playing terrific and from one end of the set to the other, there was a lot of joy onstage. I felt that it projected right onto the audience. I could sense that the audience was really enjoying it and the response to every song made the short hairs on my neck stand up.”
CM: How is it different for you being on stage with the original band now versus back in the 70’s or ’80s?
Lou: “Well, the band back in the day was awesome, but the schedule that we kept was hard. Just like everything else that you do in life, this was just as much work as it was a joy. That balance tends to numb things and you almost forget the little things that were so special, which is sad but it’s kind of the way that it is. So honestly on those (reunion) nights all of my senses were just piqued. Looking around at the guys, watching them playing and shooting little smirks at each other, it was all the things that we used to do and just took for granted. Those little things now have a huge meaning on these special nights. The shows that we did recently, we knew there would only be a few of them so we wanted to make the most of every song, interact and just be who we’re supposed to be.”
Mick Jones & Lou Gramm
Photo: Karsten Staiger
CM: Did you know there would be more shows after last winter? Was that something that was already in the planning stages?
Lou:“We were hopeful but it was understood that everything would depend on how we were received. You know it could have really gone differently. We could have had a lukewarm reception and we could have walked offstage knowing that our better days were definitely behind us. Instead, we realized that our audience appreciates us as if it was 25 years ago. The people in the seats really create the energy of a show and without them and that energy there would be no point in continuing”
CM: It was announced late last year that you were finished performing with your own band. Did the Foreigner reunion shows have anything to do with that decision?
Lou: “At the end of last year I disassembled my own band and that was that. Different variations of that band had been together for 13 or 14 years and we had great shows. Whether there was a Foreigner reunion or not, I knew that it was time for me to put an end to that. This year I’ve played on and off with Asia. They do their songs and then they do arrangements of my solo work, plus Foreigner songs. They’re very good and we have a lot of fun on stage, but even that is coming to an end later this year. I’m in the process of winding down and I’m at peace with it. I’ve been doing this at a professional level, usually extremely busy and working hard, for 45 years. I can still sing; I don’t know if I’m as good as I was 40 years ago but I can still cut the parts. I’ve just lost the desire to be out on the road performing constantly, I’ve done enough. I’ve got a lot of other things that I’d like to turn my attention towards like my family and my obsessive hobby (laughing)- American muscle cars! I have a lot of fun with that and I’ve been into it since before I was old enough to drive. When you tour it’s usually in the summer so by the time the tour is over it’s almost too late to get the car out and drive it. I live in the northeast so come October that’s when everyone is putting everything away.”
CM: Some of DailyBOOM’s readers had some questions for you. I liked this one- if you look at Foreigner’s whole catalog what songs are a perfect example of what this band really can do?
Lou: “Oh boy that’s really tough (laughing). I would say if I just shot from the hip, "Juke Box Hero" and "Urgent". Two songs that have very different feels to them but they’re both heavy-handed and pack a real punch.”
Mick Jones
Photo: Babs Marks
CM: Another great question- how difficult was it for you to transition back into the band after spending time focused on your solo work?
Lou:“It was difficult because when I did my own thing it was to let my own creative abilities have the lead. I didn’t need approval, so to go back into that situation was almost unbearable at the time. Creatively I did very little on Inside Information because everything that I brought up was shot down. I just held on tight and I sang the songs. It didn’t turn out to be the kind of album that I had hoped that it would be.”
CM: Here’s another one that I liked- what album are you the proudest of?
Lou: “There are a few. Mr. Moonlight was released on an independent label and got very little airplay and very little notoriety. I thought it was a great album and even now, you have to be a fan to know that it exists. Some fans still don’t know that it exists (laughing). I also loved 4. There’s a lot that I loved writing and recording, plus then performing but if I had to pick it would be those two.”
CM: Last one from our readers’- what was the motivation behind “Angel with a Dirty Face”?
Lou: “It was a fun little song about a girl who made it seem like she was an angel but you could tell what was going on and that she no angel (laughing).”
CM: Okay back to the present day “Super Foreigner”! How do you feel knowing that you get to reunite with both bands again for four shows in October?
Lou:“I’m very excited to do it again. I think we rehearse 2 days before the show and I have to say, the current lineup of the band is great. They’re all nice guys and they’re thrilled to be doing what they’re doing and I’d be thrilled if I was them too (laughing). They are as helpful as they can be and I hold absolutely no ill will against them. They walked into a situation where they were asked to join Foreigner and how many people are going to turn that kind of offer down (laughing)? They took advantage of a great opportunity and that’s how things go. We genuinely get along really well.”
Photo: Cate Meighan
CM: What would you like to say to the fans that are really looking forward to these reunion shows?
Lou: “The original band loved performing back in the day when it was our time to shine and now all of these years later it’s still our time to shine. We’re going to lay it down as best we can and we’re going to rock them real hard. We take a lot of pride in what we do and in the songs that we’ve written and recorded. It means a lot to the original band to still play and every time we do this our pride is at stake! So, we’re going to perform just like we’re back in our heyday and we won’t let anybody down.”
