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.
You Belong To Me
Michael McDonald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While you look for my reaction
What do you need to know
Don't you know I'll always be the one
You don't have to prove to me you're beautiful to strangers
I've got lovin' eyes of my own
You belong to me
In this life
Any fool can see who you need
I know you all too well
You don't have to prove to me you're beautiful to strangers
I've got lovin' eyes and I can tell
You belong to me
Tell him you were foolin'
You belong to me
You belong to me
Tell him he's a stranger
You belong to me
The lyrics to Michael McDonald's "You Belong To Me" are about possessiveness, described from the perspective of someone who is in love with another person, reassuring them of their love and of their desire to keep the other person close. The singer addresses their lover directly, asking why they feel the need to seek a reaction from them, as if they do not know that they will always be the one for them. They dismiss the idea that their lover needs to prove their beauty to strangers and claims to have love in their eyes for them alone.
The chorus repeats the statement, "You belong to me", emphasizing the possessiveness the singer feels over their lover. They assert that anyone can tell who their lover needs, and they know them "all too well". The singer then tells their lover to "tell him you were foolin'", and to assure the other person that they belong to them alone.
Overall, the lyrics of "You Belong To Me" express a desire for control and for devotion from the subject of the singer's love. They dismiss outside opinions, proclaim themselves the only one for their lover, and demand that they remain faithful.
Line by Line Meaning
Why'd you tell me this
Why did you confide in me? What is it that you want from me upon telling me this?
While you look for my reaction
As you observe my response, you are hoping for my understanding and support.
What do you need to know
What specific information are you seeking or what is your motive for asking me questions?
Don't you know I'll always be the one
There's no need to seek someone else's attention, as I will always be your go-to.
You don't have to prove to me you're beautiful to strangers
You don't need to demonstrate your worth to people who don't matter. I appreciate your beauty and value you already.
I've got lovin' eyes of my own
I have my own way of seeing you and loving what I see, regardless of what others may think.
You belong to me
You are mine and I am yours, nobody else's.
In this life
During the course of our time on earth.
Anyone could tell
It's blatantly obvious to anyone with eyes and common sense.
Any fool can see who you need
Even a foolish person can quickly identify that I am the one you need and belong with.
I know you all too well
I have a deep understanding of you and your needs, better than anyone else could possibly have.
Tell him you were foolin'
Inform him that it was all a joke or a prank, and that you don't mean a thing to him.
Tell him he's a stranger
Make sure he knows that he's just an outsider to us, and our bond will always trump his presence.
You belong to me
Reiterate that you are exclusively mine and that no one can take you from me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elvis Costello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Janet Newton
Could listen to Michael singing all day long❤️
John Bailey
A voice crafted in heaven
Janie Savoy
I love his voice and the he sings !
Robert Taylor
Legend wish he would come back to UK been a fan of Michael's and do oboes since 1977
Just brilliant
roxana
Amasing song ❤ from chile
POPn-Roll
great！！
Gabriella Giannino
❤
The Dove
I Know ❤️.
Davy Boy
The voice of 70 s and 80 s radio , I remember before F M , a m radio and short wave hahshsbahs, Com on , my little clock radio was a m only , what's up ?
Ellen Baker
❤