"Drift Away" is a song by Mentor Williams written in 1970 and originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz on his 1972 album Reunion. Mentor Williams was a country songwriter, and John Henry Kurtz was an actor and swamp rock singer. It was later given to soul singer Dobie Gray for whom it became a surprise international hit and the best known version. In 1973 the song became Dobie Gray's biggest hit, peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and receiving a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song has been covered by numerous musicians.
A country version was recorded by Narvel Felts in 1973. Felts' version — which changed the lyrics "I wanna get lost in your rock and roll" to "I wanna get lost in your country song" — peaked at #8 on the Billboard' Hot Country Singles chart in mid-August 1973, about three months after Gray's version reached its popularity peak.[12] This song marked Narvel's first success in the country scene, as he was known from the late 1950s as a rockabilly singer.
Michael Bolton covered "Drift Away" and released it as the second single from his 1992 covers album, Timeless: The Classics, in December 1992. His rendition became the only hit version of the song in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 18, and also charted in Ireland and New Zealand.
American singer-songwriter Uncle Kracker released a cover version from his second studio album, No Stranger to Shame (2002), in January 2003. This version, which featured Dobie Gray singing the bridge and singing backing vocals and final verse with Kracker, reached number nine on the Hot 100. The song was in the year-end top 20 just like the original 1973 version. It spent a then-record-setting 28 weeks atop the adult contemporary chart in the US. It also peaked at number 25 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.
Music videoEdit
The music video was directed by Bronston Jones. Filmed in Kracker's hometown of Detroit, it shows him performing the song on stage to an audience (Dobie, during his parts, comes in to perform) and Kracker working at a garage (owned by his brother), unloading and stacking tires. Scenes also feature him walking alone on snowy railroad tracks, and singing on an empty stage in the garage. His mechanic's uniform is labeled "Matt," a reference to his real first name, Matthew.
The Rolling Stones recorded a cover of the song during the sessions for their It's Only Rock 'n Roll LP in 1974, but it did not appear on the finished album.[31] It was finally given an official release in October 2021 as part of the Tattoo You reissue. The Heptones recorded a reggae version which is included on many compilation CDs. Street Corner Symphony also sang a version of this song as their swan song on the season 2 finale of the NBC series The Sing-Off; that version is arranged by Deke Sharon.[32]Bon Jovi usually played the song live in 1987: a version was recorded as part of a Westwood One radio live series concert. Dolly Parton and Anne Murray performed the song together in 1976 on Parton's variety show Dolly!, though they sang the lyrics of the Felts' version ("I want to get lost in your country song").
Temuera Morrison recorded and included Drift Away in his 2014 debut album Tem.[33]
Country music star Lynn Anderson (who was the partner of Mentor Williams, who wrote the song) recorded a gospel version that was rewritten by Williams for her 2015 gospel album, Drift Away, which would become her final album.
^"200 Greatest Soft Rock Songs". entertainment.expertscolumn.com.
^McIntyre, Ken (July 9, 2018). "Rock'N'Soul: 20 Soul Classics Rock Fans Will Love". Classic Rock. Future plc. from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
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For the Sons of Zion song see Drift Away Sons of Zion song For the 2021 French film see Drift Away film Drift Away is a song by Mentor Williams written in 1970 and originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz on his 1972 album Reunion Mentor Williams was a country songwriter and John Henry Kurtz was an actor and swamp rock singer It was later given to soul singer Dobie Gray for whom it became a surprise international hit and the best known version In 1973 the song became Dobie Gray s biggest hit peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and receiving a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America RIAA The song has been covered by numerous musicians Drift Away Single by John Henry Kurtzfrom the album ReunionWritten1970Released1972GenreSwamp rockLength3 30LabelABCSongwriter s Mentor WilliamsProducer s Steve BarriDan WalshHarvey PriceJohn Henry Kurtz singles chronology Drift Away 1972 One Tin Soldier 1973 Drift Away Single by Dobie Grayfrom the album Drift AwayB side City Stars Released1973GenreSoft rock 1 soul 2 Length3 54LabelDeccaProducer s Mentor WilliamsDobie Gray singles chronology Rose Garden 1972 Drift Away 1973 Loving Arms 1973 Contents 1 Dobie Gray version 1 1 Personnel 1 2 Charts 1 3 Weekly charts 1 4 Year end charts 2 Certifications 3 Other versions 3 1 Narvel Felts version 3 1 1 Chart performance Narvel Felts 3 2 Michael Bolton version 3 2 1 Charts 3 3 Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray version 3 3 1 Music video 3 3 2 Charts 3 3 2 1 Weekly charts 3 3 2 2 Year end charts 3 3 3 Release history 4 Other cover versions 5 See also 6 ReferencesDobie Gray version EditPersonnel Edit Dobie Gray vocals David Briggs keyboards Mike Leech bass Kenny Malone drums Troy Seals acoustic and electric guitar Reggie Young acoustic and electric guitar and banjo Weldon Myrick pedal steel guitar Buddy Spicher violin on L A Lady Mentor Williams acoustic guitar on Now That I Am Without You 3 Charts Edit Weekly charts Edit Chart 1973 PeakpositionAustralia Kent Music Report 4 44Canada Top Singles RPM 7US Billboard Hot 100 5 5US Billboard Adult Contemporary 6 12US Billboard Hot Soul Singles 42US Cash Box Top 100 8 Year end charts Edit Chart 1973 RankCanada Top Singles RPM 7 83US Billboard Hot 100 8 17US Cash Box 9 18Certifications EditRegion Certification Certified units salesUnited States RIAA 10 Gold 1 000 000 Shipments figures based on certification alone Other versions EditNarvel Felts version Edit Drift Away nbsp Single by Narvel Feltsfrom the album Drift AwayB side Foggy Misty Morning Released1973Length3 15LabelCinnamonProducer s Farah Productions 11 Narvel Felts singles chronology Rockin Little Angel 1973 Drift Away 1973 All in the Name of Love 1973 A country version was recorded by Narvel Felts in 1973 Felts version which changed the lyrics I wanna get lost in your rock and roll to I wanna get lost in your country song peaked at 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in mid August 1973 about three months after Gray s version reached its popularity peak 12 This song marked Narvel s first success in the country scene as he was known from the late 1950s as a rockabilly singer Chart performance Narvel Felts Edit Chart 1973 Peak positionCanadian RPM Country Tracks 48U S Billboard Hot Country Singles 8 Michael Bolton version Edit Drift Away nbsp Single by Michael Boltonfrom the album Timeless The ClassicsReleasedDecember 14 1992 1992 12 14 13 Length6 07LabelColumbiaProducer s David FosterWalter AfanasieffMichael BoltonMichael Bolton singles chronology To Love Somebody 1992 Drift Away 1992 Reach Out I ll Be There 1992 Michael Bolton covered Drift Away and released it as the second single from his 1992 covers album Timeless The Classics in December 1992 His rendition became the only hit version of the song in the United Kingdom where it reached number 18 and also charted in Ireland and New Zealand Charts Edit Chart 1992 1993 PeakpositionIreland IRMA 14 15New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 15 23UK Singles OCC 16 18 Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray version Edit Drift Away nbsp Single by Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Grayfrom the album No Stranger to ShameReleasedJanuary 27 2003 2003 01 27 Length4 15 album version 3 40 radio edit LabelLavaProducer s Michael Bradford Uncle KrackerUncle Kracker singles chronology In a Little While 2002 Drift Away 2003 Memphis Soul Song 2003 Dobie Gray singles chronology Take It Real Easy 1987 Drift Away 2003 American singer songwriter Uncle Kracker released a cover version from his second studio album No Stranger to Shame 2002 in January 2003 This version which featured Dobie Gray singing the bridge and singing backing vocals and final verse with Kracker reached number nine on the Hot 100 The song was in the year end top 20 just like the original 1973 version It spent a then record setting 28 weeks atop the adult contemporary chart in the US It also peaked at number 25 on the New Zealand Singles Chart Music video Edit The music video was directed by Bronston Jones Filmed in Kracker s hometown of Detroit it shows him performing the song on stage to an audience Dobie during his parts comes in to perform and Kracker working at a garage owned by his brother unloading and stacking tires Scenes also feature him walking alone on snowy railroad tracks and singing on an empty stage in the garage His mechanic s uniform is labeled Matt a reference to his real first name Matthew Charts Edit Weekly charts Edit Chart 2003 2004 PeakpositionNew Zealand Recorded Music NZ 17 25US Billboard Hot 100 18 9US Adult Contemporary Billboard 19 1US Adult Top 40 Billboard 20 2US Mainstream Top 40 Billboard 21 10 Year end charts Edit Chart 2003 PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 22 19US Adult Contemporary Billboard 23 3US Adult Top 40 Billboard 24 2Chart 2004 PositionUS Adult Contemporary Billboard 25 4 Release history Edit Region Date Format s Label s Ref United States January 27 2003 Hot adult contemporary radio Lava 26 May 5 2003 Contemporary hit radio 27 Other cover versions Edit Drift Away has also been covered by many bands and vocalists around the world Versions include those of Clarence Carter Uncle Kracker Allan Clarke Roy Orbison Ike amp Tina Turner Humble Pie Mud Jackie DeShannon Rod Stewart James Hollis Waylon Jennings Ray Charles the Neville Brothers Jon Bon Jovi 28 Copperhead Christian Kane the Rolling Stones the Nylons Ringo Starr sharing the lead vocal duties with Tom Petty and Alanis Morissette with Steven Tyler on the drums 29 Bruce Springsteen BoDeans Judson Spence Billy Joe Royal Steve Young and John Kay 30 Folk singer Tom Rush recorded the song on his album What I Know released in 2009 The Rolling Stones recorded a cover of the song during the sessions for their It s Only Rock n Roll LP in 1974 but it did not appear on the finished album 31 It was finally given an official release in October 2021 as part of the Tattoo You reissue The Heptones recorded a reggae version which is included on many compilation CDs Street Corner Symphony also sang a version of this song as their swan song on the season 2 finale of the NBC series The Sing Off that version is arranged by Deke Sharon 32 Bon Jovi usually played the song live in 1987 a version was recorded as part of a Westwood One radio live series concert Dolly Parton and Anne Murray performed the song together in 1976 on Parton s variety show Dolly though they sang the lyrics of the Felts version I want to get lost in your country song Garth Brooks for the 2013 Blue Eyed Soul album in the Blame It All on My Roots Five Decades of Influences compilation Temuera Morrison recorded and included Drift Away in his 2014 debut album Tem 33 Country music star Lynn Anderson who was the partner of Mentor Williams who wrote the song recorded a gospel version that was rewritten by Williams for her 2015 gospel album Drift Away which would become her final album See also EditList of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2003 and 2004 U S References Edit 200 Greatest Soft Rock Songs entertainment expertscolumn com McIntyre Ken July 9 2018 Rock N Soul 20 Soul Classics Rock Fans Will Love Classic Rock Future plc Archived from the original on August 9 2019 Retrieved September 12 2022 Gray Dobie Dobie Gray Drift Away Loving Arms Hey Dixie BGO Records BGOCD1004 liner notes 2011 Kent David 1993 Australian Chart Book 1970 1992 St Ives N S W Australian Chart Book ISBN 0 646 11917 6 Dobie Gray Chart History Hot 100 Billboard Whitburn Joel 1993 Top Adult Contemporary 1961 1993 Record Research p 101 Canada Library and Archives December 26 2017 Image RPM Weekly Library and Archives Canada Top 100 Hits of 1973 Top 100 Songs of 1973 musicoutfitters com Retrieved 1 December 2017 http tropicalglen com Archives 70s files 1973YESP html Archived 2014 07 15 at the Wayback Machine Cash Box Year End Charts Top 100 Pop Singles December 29 1973 American single certifications Dobie Gray Drift Away Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved June 20 2023 Narvel Felts Drift Away Foggy Misty Morning ABC UK ABC 4119 45cat 1976 05 14 Retrieved 2014 06 26 Whitburn Joel 2008 Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008 Record Research Inc p 143 ISBN 978 0 89820 177 2 New Releases Singles Music Week December 12 1992 p 19 The Irish Charts Search Results Drift Away Irish Singles Chart Retrieved June 14 2019 Michael Bolton Drift Away Top 40 Singles Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Uncle Kracker feat Dobie Gray Drift Away Top 40 Singles Retrieved May 31 2018 Uncle Kracker Chart History Hot 100 Billboard Retrieved July 12 2017 Uncle Kracker Chart History Adult Contemporary Billboard Retrieved July 12 2017 Uncle Kracker Chart History Adult Pop Songs Billboard Retrieved July 12 2017 Uncle Kracker Chart History Pop Songs Billboard Retrieved July 12 2017 Billboard Top 100 2003 Billboardtop100of com Retrieved January 23 2020 2003 The Year in Music Billboard Vol 115 no 52 December 27 2003 p YE 80 Retrieved October 30 2021 2003 The Year in Music Billboard Vol 115 no 52 December 27 2003 p YE 80 Retrieved October 26 2021 2004 The Year in Music Billboard Vol 116 no 52 December 25 2004 p YE 74 Retrieved November 5 2021 Going for Adds PDF Radio amp Records No 1488 January 24 2003 p 30 Retrieved June 10 2021 Going for Adds PDF Radio amp Records No 1502 May 2 2003 p 26 Retrieved June 10 2021 Jon Bon Jovi Drift Away Vertical Man CD liner notes Mercury Records 1998 ASCAP 314 558 598 2 Retrieved 2021 12 05 Original versions of Drift Away written by Mentor Williams SecondHandSongs Retrieved 2014 06 26 Stadler Gustavus 25 June 2013 Cover Art Los Angeles Review of Books Retrieved 23 April 2019 Sharon Deke Dietz Robert 2005 Drift Away Modern A Cappella Volume 1 SATB div Hal Leonard Corporation ISBN 1 423 40048 8 Temuera Morrison releases debut album Stuff co nz 2014 11 13 Retrieved 2016 10 08 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Drift Away amp oldid 1177829277, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
