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."
*********
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.
Minute by Minute
Michael McDonald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been here many times before
Girl, don't you worry, I know where I stand
I don't need this love, I don't need your hand
I know I could turn, blink, and you'd be gone
Then I must be prepared any time to carry on
But minute by minute by minute by minute
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
You will stay just to watch me, darlin'
Will away on lies from you
Can't stop the habit of livin' on the run
I take it all for granted like you're the only one
Livin' on my own
Somehow that sounds nice
You think I'm you fool
Well, you may just be right
But minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
Call my name and I'll be gone
You'll reach out and I won't be there
Just my luck you'll realize
You should spend your life with someone
You could spend your life with someone
But minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
The song "Minute by Minute" by Michael McDonald is all about a love that's on the rocks. The singer in the song is talking to his partner and assuring her that he's not afraid to let go of the love they share and move on. He tells her that he's been lied to before and that he's been in this situation many times; he's not afraid to walk away. At the same time, he wants her to know that he's not giving up easily. He is holding on to the love they share, even though he knows that things may not work out.
The singer admits that he can't stop the habit of living on the run, but he takes his partner's love for granted. He realizes that he shouldn't, but he doesn't know how to change. In the end, he tells her that if she calls his name, he'll be gone. She'll reach out to him, but he won't be there. He feels as though he's better off living on his own, and he thinks that his partner may be right in thinking that he's a fool.
This song captures the complexities of relationships and how difficult it can be to let go, even when you know that it's the right thing to do. The lines "minute by minute, I keep holding on" show the internal struggle of holding onto something, even when you know that it's probably not going to work out. It's a timeless message that still resonates with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, don't you worry, I've been lied to
Hey, don't be too concerned about breaking my heart because I've been hurt in the past.
I've been here many times before
I've experienced heartbreak multiple times, so I know how to handle it.
Girl, don't you worry, I know where I stand
Don't worry about me falling in love with you because I know this relationship isn't serious.
I don't need this love, I don't need your hand
I don't need to be in a committed relationship with you, nor do I need your help to be successful.
I know I could turn, blink, and you'd be gone
I know this relationship is fragile and could end at any moment.
Then I must be prepared any time to carry on
Therefore, I must be prepared to move on at any moment and take care of myself.
But minute by minute by minute by minute
Despite all of this, I find myself holding on to this relationship.
I keep holding on
I can't let go of this relationship, no matter how hard I try.
You will stay just to watch me, darlin'
You may stick around just to see how I handle this relationship.
Will away on lies from you
I may overlook any lies you tell me about this relationship.
Can't stop the habit of livin' on the run
I can't stop my tendency to move on quickly from relationships.
I take it all for granted like you're the only one
I tend to take relationships for granted, even though I know they're fleeting.
Livin' on my own
Living independently is something I value more than anything else.
Somehow that sounds nice
Being alone sounds appealing to me because I don't want to be tied down to anyone.
You think I'm you fool
You may believe that I'm foolish for not committing to this relationship.
Well, you may just be right
You're probably correct in believing that I'm not fully invested in this relationship.
Call my name and I'll be gone
If you call out to me, I may not be there because I could have moved on from this relationship.
You'll reach out and I won't be there
If you need me, I may not be around because relationships aren't a priority for me.
Just my luck you'll realize
It's unfortunate that you'll eventually notice my lack of commitment to this relationship.
You should spend your life with someone
You deserve to be with someone who is fully committed to a relationship, which may not be me.
You could spend your life with someone
There are plenty of other people out there who could give you the love and commitment you deserve.
But minute by minute by minute by minute
Despite knowing all of this, I can't seem to let go.
I keep holding on
I'm still holding on, even though I know this relationship is doomed to end.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lester Abrams, Michael Mcdonald
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OakienLookie
Hey, don't you worry, I've been lied to
I've been here many times before
Girl, don't you worry, I know where I stand
I don't need this love, I don't need your hand
I know I could turn, blink, and you'd be gone
Then I must be prepared any time to carry on
But minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
You will stay just to watch me, darlin'
Will away on lies from you
Can't stop the habit of livin' on the run
I take it all for granted like you're the only one
Livin' on my own
Somehow that sounds nice
You think I'm you fool
Well, you may just be right
But minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
Call my name and I'll be gone
You'll reach out and I won't be there
Just my luck you'll realize
You should spend your life with someone
You could spend your life with someone
But minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
Oh, minute by minute by minute by minute
I keep holding on
@josephludwig1126
Iconic Voice, no matter where you are, if he sings, you will know who it is, and pay attention
@debrawillard3034
i agree!! nearly 60 yrs old and it is still minute by minute!!
@rayinpau.s.a.6351
I agree !
@Marckymarc71
Notice this ISN'T the studio recording--they're playing it live to make an official video. Not too many bands good enough to do that.
@bobbydanzie8850
Right!!?
@tasnimanwar2687
@@bobbydanzie8850 0
@S.Nordang
Most were forced to do playback
@knaziringram4589
Facts!
@MegaKamandi
especially n 1978
@donna4047
The amount of talent on this stage is almost I overwhelming. What incredible musicians