ROCK MOMENT – Doobie Brothers ‘Listen To The Music’
When the Doobie Brothers released Toulouse Street in 1972, the band had already built a reputation as a hard-working San Jose outfit with a loyal following. But it was ‘Listen to the Music’ — written by guitarist and vocalist Tom Johnston — that launched them into the national spotlight. The single reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and established the Doobies as a band whose blend of rock, folk, and R&B could appeal to both FM purists and AM hitmakers.
The song’s origins were surprisingly idealistic. Johnston has recalled that, during the tense Vietnam era, he imagined what might happen if world leaders could simply sit on a hillside, hear great music, and let their differences dissolve. That hopeful vision shaped the song’s message: music as a unifying force.
In the studio, ‘Listen to the Music’ took on a life of its own. Producer Ted Templeman encouraged Johnston to lean into his rhythmic acoustic guitar riff, which became the song’s heartbeat. The band’s twin-drummer setup — John Hartman and Michael Hossack — gave the track a rolling, almost locomotive groove that stood out from anything else on the radio. Patrick Simmons added complementary guitar textures, while bassist Tiran Porter locked in with a melodic low end.
One unusual touch was the vocal layering. Templeman pushed the band to experiment with stacked harmonies, creating the soaring chorus that felt almost like a choir. This was a hallmark of the Doobies’ sound moving forward. Johnston later noted that the harmonies were tricky to nail in the studio, but once they did, they knew they had something special.
Released as the band’s first major single, ‘Listen to the Music’ became a staple of their live shows, often closing concerts with a massive sing-along. Decades later, it remains a fan favorite not just for its catchy riff but for the hopeful message embedded in every note. More than just a hit, it set the template for the Doobie Brothers’ career — combining musical craftsmanship with a spirit of joy and connection.
