Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri) is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American R&B/soul singer (sometimes described as a "blue-eyed soul" singer), known for his trademark husky baritone voice.

McDonald played in several local bands (such as Mike and the Majestics, Jerry Jay and the Sheratons, the Reebtoors, and The Guild) while attending McCluer High School in his hometown of Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. He was 'discovered' while playing with a group called Blue and consequently moved to Los Angeles in 1970. He first gained wide attention as an adjunct member of the group Steely Dan, providing back-up vocals and keyboards. Michael continued to do background vocals for Steely Dan up to their 1980 Gaucho release.

McDonald was recruited by The Doobie Brothers in April 1975 when lead singer Tommy Johnston became ill during a national tour. As a member of the Doobies, he recorded some of his most memorable songs, such as "Takin' It To The Streets," "Little Darling," "Minute By Minute," and "What A Fool Believes" (which earned him a 1980 Grammy Award for Song of the Year).

After the Doobies' first farewell tour, McDonald continued with a very successful solo career. Among his hits are

* "I Keep Forgettin'", a duet with his sister Maureen, later sampled in 1994 by Warren G
* "Sweet Freedom", the theme to the 1986 MGM film Running Scared
* "Take It To Heart"
* "Yah Mo B There", a duet with James Ingram which won a 1985 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
* "On My Own", a 1986 duet with Patti Labelle which reached #1 on the US charts

McDonald has produced and/or appeared on albums recorded by many other artists, including his singer wife Amy Holland and Grammy winner Christopher Cross. He is also a co-founder of the small independent recording label Ramp Records, with studio designer Chris Pelonis and actor Jeff Bridges.

His current album out 3/4/8 is titled "Soul Speak."

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There is also Michael McDonald, an American songwriter based in Helsinki, Finland. Michael has played with Helsinki-based bands Montevideo and Treeball, and is about to release his first solo album in 2007.

How Sweet It Is
Michael McDonald Lyrics

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How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotions
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night
And wonder what would I be without you in my life
Everything was just a bore
All the things I did seems I'd done'em before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

You were better to me than I've been to myself
For me, there's you and nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Michael McDonald's song "How Sweet It Is" celebrate the joy and gratitude of being loved by someone. The singer expresses his thankfulness for the love and understanding his partner provides. He acknowledges the shelter he receives from the arms of his loved one and their ability to comprehend his ups and downs. The love and devotion he experiences from his partner touches him deeply and brightens up his days with sweetness in so many ways. The singer recognizes that his partner has been better to him than he has been to himself and that there is nobody else like them in his life.

The song's lyrics convey a longing for love and companionship that is relatable to many people. The use of the phrase "how sweet it is" emphasizes the gratefulness and happiness of being loved by someone. The repetition of the phrase throughout the song reinforces the idea of the sweetness of love and the joy that it brings.

The song also communicates a sense of nostalgia, as the singer looks back on a time when his life was dull and boring, and contrasts it with the present where he is filled with love and happiness. The use of the phrase "I close my eyes at night and wonder what would I be without you in my life" indicates the significant impact the singer's partner has had on his life.

Overall, McDonald's "How Sweet It Is" expresses gratitude for the beauty and sweetness of being loved and the significance of experiencing true love in life.

Line by Line Meaning

How sweet it is to be loved by you
Reveling in the joy of being loved by the person addressed in the song

I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
Finding solace and comfort in the embrace of the person addressed in the song

I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
Feeling supported and understood by the person addressed in the song during good times and bad

With sweet love and devotion
Receiving affection and dedication from the person addressed in the song

Deeply touching my emotions
Feeling intense emotional connections with the person addressed in the song

I want to stop and thank you baby
Expressing gratitude to the person addressed in the song

I close my eyes at night
Reflecting on the role the person addressed in the song plays in one's life

And wonder what would I be without you in my life
Contemplating how different life would be without the person addressed in the song

Everything was just a bore
Feeling unfulfilled and unchallenged before encountering the person addressed in the song

All the things I did seems I'd done'em before
Feeling like daily routines and actions lacked meaning before encountering the person addressed in the song

But you brighten up for me all of my days
Feeling uplifted and enlivened by the presence of the person addressed in the song

With a love so sweet in so many ways
Experiencing a love that is nurturing and affectionate in multiple ways

You were better to me than I've been to myself
Receiving treatment from the person addressed in the song that is more caring and beneficial than self-treatment

For me, there's you and nobody else
Recognizing the incomparable value and significance of the person addressed in the song

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Holland, Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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