Drift Away

"Drift Away"
"Drift Away"
Single by Dobie Gray
from the album Drift Away
B-side	"City Stars"
Released	1973
Recorded	1972
Genre	Soft rock; soul;
Length	3:54
Label	Decca
Producer(s)	Mentor Williams
Dobie Gray singles chronology

"Drift Away"
"Drift Away"
Single by John Henry Kurtz
from the album Reunion
Written	1970
Released	1972
Genre	Swamp rock
Length	3:30
Label	ABC
Songwriter(s)	Mentor Williams
Producer(s)	Steve Barri; Dan Walsh; Harvey Price;
John Henry Kurtz singles chronology

"Drift Away"
"Drift Away"
Song by Mike Berry
from the album Drift Away
Released	1972
Length	3:13
Label	York
Songwriter(s)	Mentor Williams

"Drift Away" is a song by Mentor Williams, written in 1970 and originally recorded by British singer Mike Berry on his 1972 album Drift Away. A version by John Henry Kurtz was released two months later in November 1972.^[1]^[2] 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. In 1973, the song became 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.

Dobie Gray version

Personnel

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^[5]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1973)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[6]	44
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	7
US Billboard Hot 100^[7]	5
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[8]	12
US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)	42
US Cash Box Top 100	8

Year-end charts

Chart (1973)	Rank
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[9]	83
US Billboard Hot 100^[10]	17
US Cash Box Top 100^[11]	18

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[12]	Gold	1,000,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

Narvel Felts version

"Drift Away"

Single by Narvel Felts

from the album Drift Away

B-side

"Foggy Misty Morning"

Released

1973

Length

3:15

Label

Cinnamon

Producer(s)

Farah Productions^[13]

Narvel Felts singles chronology

"Rockin' Little Angel"
(1973)

"Drift Away"
(1973)

"All in the Name of Love"
(1973)

A country version was recorded by American country music and rockabilly singer 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 number 8 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in mid-August 1973, about three months after Gray's version reached its popularity peak.^[14] This song marked Narvel's first success in the country scene, as he was known from the late 1950s as a rockabilly singer.

Charts (Narvel Felts)

Chart (1973)	Peak position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)	48
US Hot Country Singles (Billboard)	8

Michael Bolton version

"Drift Away"

Single by Michael Bolton

from the album Timeless: The Classics

Released

December 14, 1992^[15]

Recorded

1992

Length

6:07

Label

Columbia

Producer(s)

Michael Bolton singles chronology

"To Love Somebody"
(1992)

"Drift Away"
(1992)

"Reach Out I'll Be There"
(1992)

American singer and songwriter Michael Bolton covered "Drift Away" and released it as the second single from his 1992 covers album, Timeless: The Classics, in December 1992 by Columbia. His rendition was produced by Bolton with David Foster and Walter Afanasieff. It 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

Chart (1992–1993)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[16]	35
Europe (European Hit Radio)^[17]	39
Ireland (IRMA)^[18]	15
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[19]	23
UK Singles (OCC)^[20]	18

Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray version

"Drift Away"

Single by Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray

from the album No Stranger to Shame

Released

January 27, 2003

Recorded

2002

Length

4:15 (album version)
3:40 (radio edit)

Label

Lava

Producer(s)

Michael Bradford
Uncle Kracker

Uncle 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 the 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

The music video for the song 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

Weekly charts

Chart (2003–2004)	Peak position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[21]	25
US Billboard Hot 100^[22]	9
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[23]	1
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[24]	2
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[25]	10

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[26]	19
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[27]	3
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[27]	2
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[28]	34

Chart (2004)	Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[29]	4

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	January 27, 2003	Hot adult contemporary radio	Lava	^[30]
United States	May 5, 2003	Contemporary hit radio	Lava	^[31]

Other cover versions

"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 & Tina Turner, Humble Pie, Mud, Jackie DeShannon, Rod Stewart, James Hollis, Waylon Jennings, Ray Charles, the Neville Brothers, Jon Bon Jovi,^[32] Copperhead, Christian Kane, the Miami Showband, the Rolling Stones, the Nylons, Ringo Starr (sharing the lead vocal duties with Tom Petty and Alanis Morissette, with Steven Tyler on the drums),^[33] Bruce Springsteen, BoDeans, Judson Spence, Billy Joe Royal, Steve Young and John Kay.^[34] 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.^[35] 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.^[36] 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.^[37]

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, Bridges, which would become her final album.

Dustin Lynch released a song with Jelly Roll called "Chevrolet" with changed lyrics, from his 2023 album Killed the Cowboy.

References

^ "That's a Cover?: "Drift Away" (Dobie Gray / John Henry Kurtz / Mike Berry)". Cover Me. June 10, 2022.
^ "Drift Away by Mike Berry" – via SecondHandSongs.
^ "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.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 3. January 16, 1993. p. 15. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
^ "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 4. January 23, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
^ "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.
^ ^a ^b "Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-80. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 14.
^ "Year in Music & Touring". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-74. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1488. January 24, 2003. p. 30. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1502. May 2, 2003. p. 26. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
^ "Jon Bon Jovi - Drift Away". Ouvir Música.
^ 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.

[1] "That's a Cover?: "Drift Away" (Dobie Gray / John Henry Kurtz / Mike Berry)". Cover Me. June 10, 2022.

[2] "Drift Away by Mike Berry" – via SecondHandSongs.

[3] "200 Greatest Soft Rock Songs". entertainment.expertscolumn.com.

[4] 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.

[5] Gray, Dobie, Dobie Gray: Drift Away, Loving Arms, Hey Dixie, BGO Records, BGOCD1004, liner notes, 2011

[6] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Dobie_Gray-7] "Dobie Gray Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.

[8] Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 101.

[9] Canada, Library and Archives (December 26, 2017). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada.

[10] "Top 100 Hits of 1973/Top 100 Songs of 1973". musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 1 December 2017.

[11] ttp://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

[United_StatesDobie_GrayDrift_AwaysingleCertRef-12] "American single certifications – Dobie Gray – Drift Away". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 20, 2023.

[13] "Narvel Felts - Drift Away / Foggy Misty Morning - ABC - UK - ABC 4119". 45cat. 1976-05-14. Retrieved 2014-06-26.

[whitburn-14] Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.

[15] "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. December 12, 1992. p. 19.

[16] "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 3. January 16, 1993. p. 15. Retrieved March 24, 2024.

[17] "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 4. January 23, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved April 6, 2024.

[sc_Ireland2_-18] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Drift Away". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 14, 2019.

[sc_New_Zealand_Michael_Bolton-19] "Michael Bolton – Drift Away". Top 40 Singles.

[sc_UK_-20] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[sc_New_Zealand_Uncle_Kracker_feat._Dobie_Gray-21] "Uncle Kracker feat. Dobie Gray – Drift Away". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 31, 2018.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Uncle_Kracker-22] "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Uncle_Kracker-23] "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.

[sc_Billboardadultpopsongs_Uncle_Kracker-24] "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.

[sc_Billboardpopsongs_Uncle_Kracker-25] "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.

[26] "Billboard Top 100 – 2003". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.

[usadultye-27] "Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-80. Retrieved December 19, 2023.

[28] "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 14.

[29] "Year in Music & Touring". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-74. Retrieved December 19, 2023.

[30] "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1488. January 24, 2003. p. 30. Retrieved June 10, 2021.

[31] "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1502. May 2, 2003. p. 26. Retrieved June 10, 2021.

[32] "Jon Bon Jovi - Drift Away". Ouvir Música.

[33] Vertical Man CD liner notes (Mercury Records 1998 ASCAP 314 558 598-2). Retrieved 2021-12-05.

[34] "Original versions of Drift Away written by Mentor Williams". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 2014-06-26.

[35] Stadler, Gustavus (25 June 2013). "Cover Art". Los Angeles Review of Books. Retrieved 23 April 2019.

[Deke-36] Sharon, Deke; Dietz, Robert (2005). "Drift Away". Modern A Cappella Volume 1 SATB (div). Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 1-423-40048-8.

[37] "Temuera Morrison releases debut album". Stuff.co.nz. 2014-11-13. Retrieved 2016-10-08.

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Drift Away

Dobie Gray version

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Other versions

Narvel Felts version

Charts (Narvel Felts)

Michael Bolton version

Charts

Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray version

Music video

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

Other cover versions

See also

References

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