This song is an incredible dance jam, it’s a wonderful, “funkified” version of the Doobie Brothers’ Grammy winner hit single. “Aretha” was a good comeback record for Franklin, who reunited with her former producer Arif Mardin who lead her to meet the new stars of the recording studios like David Foster and Toto. Their cover of “What A Fool Believes” really can compare to the original for its creative arrangement and outstanding performances by Franklin and the studio cats. The singer shows once again her unmatched power and strength while Foster shines with his work on the keyboards and the rhythm section of Jeff Porcaro, Louis Johnson, David Williams and Steve Lukather really smokes in the background. The ices on the cake are David Sanborn’s superb saxophone solo and Hamish Stuart (Average White Band) on backing vocals.

The dedication Aretha wrote on the liner notes explains it well: “Many thanks to David Paich, David Foster and the guys in Toto. You are too, too much”. We agree!!

The same team of Franklin and Mardin released one year later, “Love All The Hurt Away”, another good album with some great moments and the usual tight musicianship of Foster, Toto and many other session aces.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/what_a_fool_believes.mp3|titles=what a fool believes|artists=Aretha Franklin]

All Vocals: Aretha Franklin
Electric Piano & Synth: David Foster
Guitars: Steve Lukather & David Williams
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Louis Johnson
Synth programming: Todd Cochran
Alto Sax Solo: David Sanborn
Additional Background Vocals: Hamish Stuart
Produced by Arif Mardin

Lyrics

WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES HE SEES

HE CAME FROM SOMEWHERE BACK IN HER LONG AGO
THE SENTIMENTAL FOOL DON’T SEE
TRYIN’ HARD TO RECREATE
WHAT HAD YET TO BE CREATED ONCE IN HER LIFE

SHE MUSTERS A SMILE
FOR HIS NOSTALGIC TALE
NEVER COMING NEAR WHAT HE WANTED TO SAY
ONLY TO REALIZE
IT NEVER REALLY WAS

SHE HAD A PLACE IN HIS LIFE
HE NEVER MADE HER THINK TWICE
AS SHE RISES TO HER APOLOGY
ANYBODY ELSE WOULD SURELY KNOW
HE’S WATCHING HER GO

BUT WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES HE SEES
NO WISE MAN HAS THE POWER TO REASON AWAY
WHAT SEEMS TO BE
IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN NOTHING
AND NOTHING AT ALL KEEPS SENDING HIM

SOMEWHERE BACK IN HER LONG AGO
WHERE HE CAN STILL BELIEVE THERE’S A PLACE IN HER LIFE
SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE, SHE WILL RETURN

SHE HAD A PLACE IN HIS LIFE
HE NEVER MADE HER THINK TWICE
AS SHE RISES TO HER APOLOGY
ANYBODY ELSE WOULD SURELY KNOW
HE’S WATCHING HER GO

BUT WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES HE SEES
NO WISE MAN HAS THE POWER TO REASON AWAY
WHAT SEEMS TO BE
IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN NOTHING
THERE’S NOTHING AT ALL
BUT WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES HE SEES