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The Doobie Brothers — Toulouse Street
Album: Toulouse Street
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1577









Released: 1972
Length: 3:16
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I'm walkin' in shadows, I cannot see
Faces, they smile when I fall or flee
Doors without windows all shuttered tight again

I just might pass this way again
I just might pass this way again
I just might pass this way
I just might pass this way again

The night she is hot, Creole girls they sing
My heart, it is pounding, my ears they ring
The spell has been cast down in New Orleans again

I just might pass this way again
I just might pass this way again
I just might pass this way
I just might pass this way again

Locked in a room down in New Orleans
My blood is a flowin' fast
Locked in a room down in New Orleans
My blood is a flowin' fast

The night she is hot, Creole girls they sing
My heart, it is pounding, my ears they ring
The spell has been cast down in New Orleans
My blood is a flowin' fast
Comments (108)add comment
Never could get into the Doobie Brothers…blame it on the regular beating of AM/FM radio waves that played only two songs of from their expanse. This song, thanks to RP, is precisely why I tune in…liking the boys here. Nicely done!
first I was recognizing an american music scene at all was 71, as I was listening AFN with Wolfman Jack. 
 GingerandMe wrote:

Michael McDonald, a voice to melt any heart.

Not mine. I have never liked his vocals. I think he ruined the Doobies when he joined. I didn't think they needed another vocalist. I couldn't stand Taking it to the Streets. I had a chance to see them live late summer last year. I asked if he was involved and when I found out he was, I passed.  I also found that Johnston was healing after some injury or surgery, so that was a double no! 
Hello Goldensmiths,
taking your friendly advice switching over from "rockmix" to "mellowmix" I have to say "Thanks a lot"! It's worth it, every single note.
Your's sincerely, Peter J.
Michael McDonald, a voice to melt any heart.
I was based in the Frankfurt area, Germany, at this time, always listening to Wolfman Jack at AFN, and I felt much more grown up than my school peers, who still listened Beatles and "such softy sound". This was my first time getting in touch with them, and what I learned was there is much more music on this planet.
GREAT!  Thanx RP!  
 kingart wrote:

Not to mention for the sake of $1 midnight movies, $2 happy hour pitchers, cheap weed and easy, free sex in the middle of the afternoon. 



I miss cheap dates.
 Funkybro wrote:

You were on Salt Spring Island in 1975?  I'm not sure I can imagine what that place was like 45 years ago.  Clothing optional during the summer:)?  Can you tell I'm jealous......


I went to the same concert...caught a guitar pick thrown out to me by Patrick Simmons.  I was sixteen and felt touched by God.  I was also living on Salt Spring Island in the summers with my best friend and our horses.  Her family owned a resort at Beaver Point.  Still do I believe, and yes...clothing optional, long lazy summer days playing crib in wooden lounge chairs, rowing along the shore, drifting into coves watching undersea life nibble at my trailing hand, sun-warmed beefsteak tomato sandwiches, Gran's fresh apple pie with a slice of cheddar cheese melting on top, aimless rides through undeveloped sheep pasture and old forests, Valdy playing  impromptu evenings at Fulford Hall.  Life was sweet in a way I understand only now.
I really got into the Doobies a little later on... Late 70's/early 80's. But, hearing this earlier album.... Wow! Thanks for putting this into play, B & R! 
The Doobies? Pure Soft Rock Nostalgia trip. No realness. Serious drift into corniness later career
 kingart wrote:

Not to mention for the sake of $1 midnight movies, $2 happy hour pitchers, cheap weed and easy, free sex in the middle of the afternoon. 

Those were the days my friend!

Absolutely Superb song,mmmmm✌️
fantastic guitarwork in this one…
My personal Doobies favorite..... It's so comfortable - like a gentle massage for my soul.  I wish it were twice as long.
 pikester wrote:

This song just caught my ear and I had to see who this was. My immediate respnse was “The Doobie Brothers?!”  Good song.




Same here.  I've never heard this song (and I grew up with the Doobies), but it's amazing.
Admittedly I have never been a huge Doobie Brother fan but Toulouse Street and Cheat the Hangman always stop me in my tracks on those rare occasions I hear them played. 
This song just caught my ear and I had to see who this was. My immediate respnse was “The Doobie Brothers?!”  Good song.
 spacemanspiff wrote:

Doesn't sound like the Doobie Brothers I know. Very nice!!!




 In the 70's the Doobies had some great music that didn't get a lot of air play.
What a beautiful song,has always and remains a 10.
Doesn't sound like the Doobie Brothers I know. Very nice!!!
If all their stuff was like this I'd be a huge fan. 
the early Doobies.  Saw them at the State Theater in downtown Monterey, amazing show.
The Doobies have many great songs, some popular, some not. FWIW, this is my favorite.
After nearly 5 decades the Doobies are still relevant.
 sp_woods wrote:
Traveled from Salt Spring Island on the May 24th weekend in 1975 to the Coliseum in Vancouver to see one of my favourite bands of the 70's. Will never forget asking the clerk at A&B sound for their first album in 1972. He was certain it was named "Doobie Street by the Two Loose Brothers". Made perfect sense at that time in my life.
 
You were on Salt Spring Island in 1975?  I'm not sure I can imagine what that place was like 45 years ago.  Clothing optional during the summer:)?  Can you tell I'm jealous......
This is a great example of the beautiful vocals the Doobies produced in so many songs prior to the Michael McDonald era.  I just couldn't keep the faith after they transitioned to Mr. McDonald. I realize he has a large fan base, but for me the beauty of the music was gone. 
I used to live next door to these guys when I went to San Jose State University they would practice all day long driving everybody crazy and then go up to the Chateau liberte in the Santa Cruz mountains to play. Lost my girlfriend Olga to TJ. Well worth it for all the wonderful music they've given us. Talk about unrecognized diversity listen to Wynken Blinken and Nog then compare that to the handful of songs you only get to hear on the usual Airways
 kingart wrote:
Nice song.  How about the Doobies with maybe their most rocking track? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCzYWsNKI1Y

The Doobie Brothers - The Captain and Me

Natural Thing3:17
Long Train Runnin'3:25
China Grove3:14
Dark Eyed Cajun Woman4:12
Clear As The Driven Snow5:18
Without You4:58
South City Midnight Lady5:27
Evil Woman3:17
Busted Down Around O'Connelly Corners0:48
Ukiah3:04
The Captain And Me4:53
 
When you look at the number of quality songs on this album
Bill play more
Never been a big Doobies fan but this is very nicely done.
Nice song.  How about the Doobies with maybe their most rocking track? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCzYWsNKI1Y

The Doobie Brothers - The Captain and Me

Natural Thing3:17
Long Train Runnin'3:25
China Grove3:14
Dark Eyed Cajun Woman4:12
Clear As The Driven Snow5:18
Without You4:58
South City Midnight Lady5:27
Evil Woman3:17
Busted Down Around O'Connelly Corners0:48
Ukiah3:04
The Captain And Me4:53
LOVE the early DB's. Beautiful harmonies, melodies and lyrics.
Excellent, the "brothers" could rock hard, go soft and in between.
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

You'd be surprised there are songs on The Captain and Me  that are never played on Classic Schlock Radio.
AND they're real decent like this gem.
 

Without You is a classic.  I think they never did another track that thundered like that one. 
Was never a big Doobies fan.  Sorry!  Though this tune has a real nice sound to it.
I got this for xmess 1972 from my mom. I was 12. She obviously just asked a Sam the Record Man saleskid what was popular and had zero idea what it was. For all the big radio hits action of Listen to the Music and Rockin Down the Highway, this song remains one of my favourite tracks. They had such a different feel before Michal MacDonald took the reins.
 rtrudeau wrote:
I often say "I listen to RP because they don't play worn-out stuff like the Doobie Brothers."

Hah! Bill and Rebecca, the master of all things musical, made me a liar on both counts. Like earlier posters, I'd never heard this lovely song before. So nice to hear some DB that isn't from The Captain and Me, an album I've heard more times than I can count.

Excellent work, as always, B&R. I love this station.


 
You'd be surprised there are songs on The Captain and Me  that are never played on Classic Schlock Radio.
AND they're real decent like this gem.
Traveled from Salt Spring Island on the May 24th weekend in 1975 to the Coliseum in Vancouver to see one of my favourite bands of the 70's. Will never forget asking the clerk at A&B sound for their first album in 1972. He was certain it was named "Doobie Street by the Two Loose Brothers". Made perfect sense at that time in my life.
Got to see the Doobie Brothers perform this album and "The Captain and Me" in their entirety in track order at the Beacon Theater in NYC couple of weeks ago.

Virtuoso musicians. Great song writers. Get beyond their admittedly overplayed hits from the 70's and 80's and there a lot of gems like this in their catalog. Try "Clear As The Driven Snow" from "Captain". 
Loved this band so much during my college years...until they hired Michael McDonald and turned the band into a pop act. Their early stuff was inspirational.
didn't realize the Doobies had a "Cups and Cakes" era
 eveliko wrote:
Even though our clothes ere SO ugly and SO uncomfortable, I'd be ready to live in the 70's again just for the sake of falling on such tunes anytime I turn on the radio.
 
There were a lot of lousy songs on the radio in the 1970s; most of us just choose to forget them.
1st concert I ever went to in 1973 or 74.
 eveliko wrote:
Even though our clothes ere SO ugly and SO uncomfortable, I'd be ready to live in the 70's again just for the sake of falling on such tunes anytime I turn on the radio.
 
Not to mention for the sake of $1 midnight movies, $2 happy hour pitchers, cheap weed and easy, free sex in the middle of the afternoon. 
Even though our clothes ere SO ugly and SO uncomfortable, I'd be ready to live in the 70's again just for the sake of falling on such tunes anytime I turn on the radio.
 jmkate wrote:
 never heard this before, and its marvelous....

 
Isn't it?  I've been a DB fan since, well since before my first "real" concert when they opened for Steve Miller Band (although my bud and I missed most of the DB Show b/c he didn't know who they were and didn't tell me there was an opening act) back in 1995.

I did just go 8→9 on this today, after a great listening of it over Memorial Day weekend. I had to go back and forth to my bro-in-law's house, a path I've been driving since 1998, and the lyrics seemed to be describing my movements well

"I just might pass this way, I just might pass this way again "

Long Live RP!!

 never heard this before, and its marvelous....
 dickmahoon wrote:
Wow this is still in my record collection collecting dust....need to get it out and play it!

 
Had exactly the same thought...
Awesome little tune!
Wow this is still in my record collection collecting dust....need to get it out and play it!
 bushrat wrote:
Reminds me of Bottle Shock {#Biggrin}
 

 
Great Movie that!
So nice to hear this tune,,, haven't thought about or heard it in so many years.
Being 16 years old with a big set of pioneer headphones on listening to it. 36 years later, its funny am I listening to it ,,in headphones.
Thanks for some nice memories that go with that song.
   
I love it when the the perfect tune for my mood comes on.  Like this one.  I smiled out loud.
 
I went flying back in time to my first ever concert:  The Doobies playing in Mobile, Alabama... touring for THIS album's release!
 Cyclehawk wrote:
Excellent tune...  I don't think I've heard it since the days of turn tables and vinyl.  Good to hear some early DBs in the rotation here lately.

 

I was just thinking the same thing. This was a great album if I remember correctly...
Lovin' those tasty acoustic guitars. Very nice.
wow that's some early Doobie Bros, soo good..
Robinson dorm, 1975, first day meeting my roommate Billy the Kib, and he pulls out this album.  Good things followed ....
The DBs had such a different sound before Michael MacDonald, kind of like Fleetwood Mack before Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks became their driving force, although they both did end up selling a lot more records with new sound.
Love this old Dubious Bros tune {#Music}
 Cynaera wrote:
It's been ages since I've heard this song - it's always been one of my favorites by the Doobs.  And I agree - Michael McDonald sank the Doobies.  (I remember reading in Rolling Stone a long time ago that Jeff "Skunk" Baxter once went onstage in his bathrobe.  With talent like his, he had every right to wear whatever the hell he wanted onstage.) {#Notworthy}
 

We miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song...
 
Nice!  I did not realize this was the Doobies.  Saw them in Ft. Lauderdale 1978.  Great live band. 
These guys were loaded with talent and incredibly good at composing scintillating little symphonies within easily digestible pop songs...and definitely, they rightly and absolutely filled the airwaves back in The Day!
Reminds me of Bottle Shock {#Biggrin}
 
Are you kidding me? This is great stuff! 
Until now, I've only been aware of Doobie Bros. top 40 hits.  Thank you for this!  I've got some exploring to do {#Music}
 Cyclehawk wrote:
Excellent tune...  I don't think I've heard it since the days of turn tables and vinyl.  Good to hear some early DBs in the rotation here lately.
 
agree!
Excellent tune...  I don't think I've heard it since the days of turn tables and vinyl.  Good to hear some early DBs in the rotation here lately.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

I always liked the atypical title track and Clear as the Driven Snow. Also the tasty acoustic guitar of Busted Down Around O'Connelly Corners followed by the trés catchy Ukiah . . . to name but a few!

 
Me agree!

 Cynaera wrote:
Oh, stop showing off! {#Lol}  I envy you your intimate knowledge of Louisiana.  Maybe someday, you can envy me my intimate knowledge of whatever it is I have an intimate knowledge of... (I HAD to end that sentence in a preposition - I'm feeling a little rebellious lately.)  Should I ever make the trek south and east, I hope to enlist you as a guide. Don't let me get arrested, pregnant, or placed in a compromising position where photos are being snapped. And I promise to dress accordingly, act in a manner befitting an awe-struck hick-town denizen (without the spitting from between gapped front teeth) and try my best not to whoop, swear, or get pissed off at any off-the-cuff comments uttered while I'm there.

Meanwhile, I do love this song - this whole album (I have the vinyl) inspired me in many ways. I ventured out in many directions, too - music, writing, art...

Which reminds me - I need to get my turntable hooked up, because I'm sadly lacking in inspiration these days... (I'll probably delete this post, once I surface again.)

 
Yeah. What she said.   {#Clap}

But seriously, this kicks butt.....its a 2 noter. (You hear 2 notes, and know exactly what it is....)
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Wonder what part of Toulouse they're writing about? Most familiar with tourists would be the stretch in the French Quarter that runs between Decatur and Rampart, but it also borders the Treme in what was once the redlight district of Storyville, continuing on through Mid-City to City Park. In 1972, the French Quarter stretch would have been full of head shops (they sprung up like, um...mushrooms after Easy Rider came out) and crash pads, so that's my guess.

  Oh, stop showing off! {#Lol}  I envy you your intimate knowledge of Louisiana.  Maybe someday, you can envy me my intimate knowledge of whatever it is I have an intimate knowledge of... (I HAD to end that sentence in a preposition - I'm feeling a little rebellious lately.)  Should I ever make the trek south and east, I hope to enlist you as a guide. Don't let me get arrested, pregnant, or placed in a compromising position where photos are being snapped. And I promise to dress accordingly, act in a manner befitting an awe-struck hick-town denizen (without the spitting from between gapped front teeth) and try my best not to whoop, swear, or get pissed off at any off-the-cuff comments uttered while I'm there.

Meanwhile, I do love this song - this whole album (I have the vinyl) inspired me in many ways. I ventured out in many directions, too - music, writing, art...

Which reminds me - I need to get my turntable hooked up, because I'm sadly lacking in inspiration these days... (I'll probably delete this post, once I surface again.)

Wonder what part of Toulouse they're writing about? Most familiar with tourists would be the stretch in the French Quarter that runs between Decatur and Rampart, but it also borders the Treme in what was once the redlight district of Storyville, continuing on through Mid-City to City Park. In 1972, the French Quarter stretch would have been full of head shops (they sprung up like, um...mushrooms after Easy Rider came out) and crash pads, so that's my guess.

It's been ages since I've heard this song - it's always been one of my favorites by the Doobs.  And I agree - Michael McDonald sank the Doobies.  (I remember reading in Rolling Stone a long time ago that Jeff "Skunk" Baxter once went onstage in his bathrobe.  With talent like his, he had every right to wear whatever the hell he wanted onstage.) {#Notworthy}
 mread wrote:
. . . Then Michael McDonald joined the show and things went downhill . . . {#Sad}
 
I totally agree!
Mike McDonald was the downfall of the Doobies and every Steely Dan track his moaning voice appears on. 

Yes, the vocals do sound a little like the Moody Blues.

Not that fond of The Doobie Brothers—probably due to excessive air play of some songs—but this one is quite likeable.



Great song! I'm a DB fan but have never heard this song. Sounds like it was produced by CSN.

 On_The_Beach wrote:

I always liked the atypical title track and Clear as the Driven Snow. Also the tasty acoustic guitar of Busted Down Around O'Connelly Corners followed by the trés catchy Ukiah . . . to name but a few!

 
Amen.  Went to a DB concert circa 1975, mostly to be with my girlfriend, but to this day, the most lasting memory of the evening was "Clear as the Driven Snow".

Then Michael McDonald joined the show and things went downhill . . . {#Sad}
Anyone else think this sounds like the Moody Blues? Not complaining.
This song and album has been out of my consciousness for years. How great it is to hear it again. I need to see if I have the lp in the archive. 
Another 8 + 1 for RP playing it = 9!  Anyone heard the new album?  It must be DB day or something.....{#Whistle}
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
The thing is, there are some great songs off "The Captain and Me", besides the two hits.
Unfortunately, they never get played anywhere.
 
I always liked the atypical title track and Clear as the Driven Snow. Also the tasty acoustic guitar of Busted Down Around O'Connelly Corners followed by the trés catchy Ukiah . . . to name but a few!

I've never liked any DB stuff. The score is now something like: 1-to-(Everything-1). This one is very like-able.

I always loved this Dubious Bros song and always thought it was more like something CSN would do...

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

The thing is, there are some great songs off "The Captain and Me", besides the two hits.

Unfortunately, they never get played anywhere.

 

I will give a nice shoutout to the good people over at pearradio, if you want to hear all of the good obscure DB tunes, that is the place to go!{#Yes}
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

The thing is, there are some great songs off "The Captain and Me", besides the two hits.

Unfortunately, they never get played anywhere.

 
Oh, I agree, Kurt!  There are many good songs on the album. It's just it came out during my senior year of high school and I had a long drive with only an AM radio to keep me company. The Doobie's Top-40 hits were played incessantly. If I hear China Grove one more time before I die it will be too many.

 rtrudeau wrote:

I often say "I listen to RP because they don't play worn-out stuff like the Doobie Brothers."

Hah! Bill and Rebecca, the master of all things musical, made me a liar on both counts. Like earlier posters, I'd never heard this lovely song before. So nice to hear some DB that isn't from The Captain and Me, an album I've heard more times than I can count.

Excellent work, as always, B&R. I love this station.


 
The thing is, there are some great songs off "The Captain and Me", besides the two hits.

Unfortunately, they never get played anywhere.

I often say "I listen to RP because they don't play worn-out stuff like the Doobie Brothers."

Hah! Bill and Rebecca, the master of all things musical, made me a liar on both counts. Like earlier posters, I'd never heard this lovely song before. So nice to hear some DB that isn't from The Captain and Me, an album I've heard more times than I can count.

Excellent work, as always, B&R. I love this station.


Good lord, we have a Doobie sighting on RP, better record it, you won't hear from them again in some time!{#Daisy}
 Leslie wrote:
I'd completely forgotten about this song. Wow, still nice after all these years.
 
My thoughts exactly. . .


I'd completely forgotten about this song. Wow, still nice after all these years.
  Another song I've never heard.

Amnesia?
I love the harmonies on the early Brothers albums, as well as TJ's lead vocals.
 Giselle62 wrote:
i'd never heard this, very pretty.
 
"White Sun" from the same album is even prettier.

i'd never heard this, very pretty.
I used to blast this album out the window of my dorm room at OSU (Oregon) back in the day. I wanted to share it w/everyone! They did put out some good music...and I knew "Miss Perkins" from "China Grove". Laurie is the older sister of a friend of mine. She lived next door to them, and she would walk by their window every day on the way to the bus for work. True story.
Haven't heard this Dubious Brothers song in ages, forgot how good it was.
so great to hear this song!
This is a nice song - though I would've never guessed it was the Doobie Brothers. I need to get more of their music because I like both the pre-Michael-Macdonald era as well as with.
I've missed all three playings of this song.  Dammit!!!   {#Doh}

"What were once Vice are now Habits" is another great album by the DB's.

What an awesome song!
Here's proof that the Doobies did do some great stuff.

I wonder who uploaded this? {#Whistle}
 keller1 wrote:
Love this tune.  I see Cheat The Hangman in the library, too —- another classic.

The Doobies' Rockin Down The Highway DVD is one of the best concert videos you'll see by anybody.
 
Yeah - "I Cheat the Hangman."  Some fine tunes on this CD.

I think I have that DVD, or else another one by the band - great stuff!

Flashback ... elementary school student riding the bus to school in the morning, listening tol the "cool" high school kids in the chorus harmonizing to this song.  I was so in awe of them.  Come to think of it, they were really good! {#Sunny}
 WonderLizard wrote:
Original Doobies. What a band. The inside jacket of the LP wasn't bad either...{#Propeller}
 
Oh yeah, forgot all about the naked ladies liner photo.  Gave my mom fits, as I recall. "Oh, why did they have to put THAT photo in there?" was her inquiry!  :-)
Love this tune.  I see Cheat The Hangman in the library, too —- another classic.

The Doobies' Rockin Down The Highway DVD is one of the best concert videos you'll see by anybody.
Haven't heard this in forever!  Love it.  It was a staple on my mix/car tapes for years.
Original Doobies. What a band. The inside jacket of the LP wasn't bad either...{#Propeller}
Wow, thanks Bill {#Meditate}
One of my faves from the 70's.  Such a great and under-rated album.  Nice, Bill!  :-)
Probably my absolutely favourite DB's song.  Haunting...