Drift Away

Album: Drift Away (1973)
Charted: 5
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  • Day after day I'm more confused
    Yet I look for the light through the pouring rain
    You know that's a game that I hate to lose
    And I'm feelin' the strain, ain't it a shame?

    Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
    I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

    Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
    I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

    Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time
    I don't understand the things I do
    The world outside looks so unkind
    So I'm countin' on you to carry me through

    Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
    I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

    Give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
    I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

    And when my mind is free
    You know a melody can move me
    And when I'm feelin' blue
    The guitar's comin' through to soothe me

    Thanks for the joy that you've given me
    I want you to know I believe in your song
    Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
    You've helped me along, makin' me strong

    Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
    I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

    Give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
    I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

    Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul (my soul)
    I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

    Hey, hey, hey, yeah, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul (my soul)
    I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

    Now, now now, won't ya, won't ya take me?
    Oh, oh, take me, yeah

    I wanna fly
    Early in the morning, won't ya take me?
    Come on and free my soul, nah, nah, nah
    I wanna drift away, yeah Writer/s: Mentor Ralph Williams
    Publisher: O/B/O DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 34

  • Juanma from Buenos AiresActually this song has been released in Rolling Stones' reissue of Tattoo You (2021, disc 2).
  • Asil Nospmis from 2000 Miles From NelraMike Berry sang it first actually
  • Mc from PaIs Jelly Roll stealing this song? Sure sounds like it with different words.
  • Chrisw from LondonReggie Young Jr. Dobie Gray version, Drift Away 1973 ... outstanding guitar work ... this is the model for soul guitar .... Reggie Young Jr. set the standard.
  • Rachel Hardeman from Louisiana Where was the video Drift Away filmed of Dobie Gray singing outside with moss in the trees and a large body of water?
  • Steven Mcguire Sr from Orem, UtahIt should be pointed out that while Reggie Young played the iconic guitar intro and fills in the 1973 hit 'Drift Away' it was session guitarist Troy Seals who played the great tasteful and bright Telecaster licks during the chorus. Troy deserves credit for his great contributions to the hit 'Drift Away' which we all enjoy!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 12th 1973, Dobie Gray performed "Drift Away" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was at #5 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart and that would also be its peak position on the chart...
    {See the third post below}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 25th 1965, Dobie Gray performed "The 'In' Crowd" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Nine months earlier on January 3rd, 1965 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #79; and on February 14th, 1965 it peaked at #13 {for 1 week} and spent 9 weeks on the Top 100...
    Just missed making Billboard's R&B Top 10 chart; it peaked at #11...
    Was his second biggest hit on the Top 100 after "Drift Away"; which reached #5 {for 1 week} on May 6th, 1973.
  • George from Vancouver, CanadaI like Uncle Cracker's version better
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 18th 1973, "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #85; and on May 6th it peaked at #5 (for 1 weeks) and spent 21 weeks on the Top 100 (and for 4 of those 21 weeks it was on the Top 10)...
    It reached #7 in Canada and #42 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    In 2003 Uncle Kracker covered it; his version peaked at #9 on the Top 100, but on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks charts on June 1st, 2003 it reached #1 and remained in the top spot for an amazing 28 non-consecutive weeks ("Forever and for Always" by Shania Twain ended its run)
    R.I.P. Mr. Gray, born Lawrence Darrow Brown, (1940 - 2011).
  • Dave from Cape Town, South AfricaI was the drummer in the band backing Dobie in South Africa. What a great guy, what a great tour. Fond memories still prevail, God bless you Dobie.
  • Michael from Mcfarland, WiThe flip of this single "City Stars" is also an excellent number.
  • Brad from Barry, TxAn incredible song by an incredible voice. "Drift Away" is always one of my demo songs when testing out a new MP3 player and/or headphones. Mr. Gray's version of "Loving Arms" is also unbelievable.
  • Kelly from Pretoria, South AfricaI attended my first concert at which Dobie Gray performed on a double header with the Main Ingredient. This was in 1974 before a segregated audience in South Africa.He was backed by an incredible local band called Redlum.(Ironically, they were an all white band).Amazing live performance and a superb artist.Certainly my favourite song of his.
  • Ron from Sioux Falls S.d., SdA melody you can truly loose yourself in...
  • N.i. from Baltimore, MdThe song has always struck me as sounding like a prayer, only instead of being addressed to God, it's addressed to rock 'n' roll.
  • Mike from Victoria, B.c., CanadaI've been told (I don't know if it's true !)that The Rolling Stones version of this song was recorded with some or all of The Beatles ! (At least in one recording.)
  • Bess from San Diego, CaThis is one of my "theme songs." Totally awesome. HOW CAN IT BE ABOUT DRUGS? To me, it's a tribute to all the great rockers of the 60's and 70's. I just LOVE this song.
  • Chris from Auburn, WaThis is one of those songs that can make you stop whatever you're doing just so you can listen. Dobie's amazing voice and those simple, but meaningful, lyrics combined to create a true classic.
  • Lex from Singapore, SingaporeIt's the ultimate ode to "The Band". Groupies have their Tiny Dancer, bands have Drift Away.
  • Kevin from San Jose, CaThis song is absolutley NOT about drugs (for once). It's about a guy paying tribute to his guitar/music.
  • Bambi from Middlefield, Ohthis song is about drug addiction
  • Allan from Vanderhoof, CanadaAnother cover version of this one I like is by The Nylons, a Canadian a cappella group. Sounds very good with just a drum machine and the voices.
  • Jack from Monmouth, NjSteppenwolf's John Kay does a version, it's pretty good.
  • Tj from Woodbridge, Vauncle kracker did an awsome version of this song.
  • Maya from Cal, United Statesi think the stones did an awesome version of it.. u cant even compare that to the uncle kracker version
  • Tomcat from Richmond, VaHave never heard the Rolling Stones version. Definitely WOULD NOT WANT TO HEAR A BOLTON VERSION! Uncle Kracker's version is not bad, but there is nothing like the original from Dobie. Only thing I misheard in the lyrics, was that I thought he was paying tribute to the California surf band the beach boys.
  • Steve from Raynham, MaHave you ever heard the stones do this song? Mick Jaggar's vocals are amazing on it.
  • Paul from London, EnglandThis song was also covered by Michael Bolton back in the early nineties. It's a fantastic song that singers like me can get a great deal of emotion out of. This should be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
  • Tyler from Nashville, InThis is a really good song, I especially like the Uncle Kracker remake. This was played at my Aunt's 2nd wedding. Very nice. Kudos to Dobie Gray and Uncle Kracker.
  • Pete from Nowra, Australiasong was used in a tv commercial here in Australia for a chocolate of the same name
  • Lisa from A Town In, PaI just heard in an interview with Uncle Kracker that this song was originally written for Elvis. Elvis turned it down once he heard Dobie Gray's version of it. Dobie Gray was a demo singer in Memhpis at the time.
  • Lisa from A Town In, PaUncle Kracker redid this song. It's a pretty good remake.
  • Gene from Hammond, InFrom the same interview with Dobie Gray, I forgot to add that his favorite misheard lyric to the songs' chorus line was: "Gimme a beatin' boys..."
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