Kenny Loggins has revealed that Michael McDonald turned down the chance to co-write "Whenever I Call You 'Friend'", the melodic ballad that became Loggins' first Top 10 hit in 1978. Loggins had originally intended the tune for McDonald, with whom he had already collaborated on other songs, but McDonald reportedly said he simply "didn't hear it" when Loggins played it for him. The song instead went on to be written with Melissa Manchester and became a defining moment in Loggins' solo career.

The track, taken from Loggins' second album Nightwatch, was ultimately recorded as a duet with Stevie Nicks, who has described the recording sessions as gruelling, jokingly nicknaming Loggins "Slave-Driver" for pushing her to deliver the vocal performance he wanted. Manchester has said the song stands out because it celebrates enduring friendship rather than romantic love, a theme she felt was underexplored in music. Loggins and McDonald did go on to write together successfully elsewhere, sharing credits on "What A Fool Believes" and "This Is It".