Jump to content

Drift Away: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Edd Porter (talk | contribs)
109 edits
Cleaned up the article: rearranged, added titles, reduced word count, checked spelling
Minor wording edits
(688 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{about||the Sons of Zion song|Drift Away (Sons of Zion song)|the Cat Empire song|Where the Angels Fall|the song from ''Steven Universe: The Movie''|Steven Universe: The Movie (soundtrack)|the 2021 French film|Drift Away (film)}}
'''Drift Away''' is a song by [[Mentor Williams]], originally recorded by [[Dobie Gray]] in [[1972]].
{{Short description|1970 song written by Mentor Williams}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Drift Away
| cover =
| type = song
| written =
| artist = [[Mike Berry (singer)|Mike Berry]]
| album = Drift Away
| released = 1972
| genre =
| length = 3:13
| label = [[York Records|York]]
| writer = Mentor Williams
}}
{{Infobox song
| name =
| cover = Driftawayjhk.jpg
| type = single
| written = 1970
| artist = [[John Henry Kurtz]]
| album = Reunion
| released = 1972
| genre = [[Swamp rock]]
| length = 3:30
| label = [[ABC Records|ABC]]
| writer = Mentor Williams
| producer = {{hlist|Steve Barri|Dan Walsh|Harvey Price}}
| next_title = One Tin Soldier
| next_year = 1973
}}


"'''Drift Away'''" is a song written by [[Mentor Williams]] in 1970 and first recorded by British singer [[Mike Berry (singer)|Mike Berry]] on his 1972 album ''Drift Away''. A version by [[John Henry Kurtz]] was released two months later in November 1972.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.covermesongs.com/2022/06/thats-a-cover-drift-away-dobie-gray-john-henry-kurtz-mike-berry.html|title=That's a Cover?: "Drift Away" (Dobie Gray / John Henry Kurtz / Mike Berry)|date=June 10, 2022|website=Cover Me}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/52204|title=Drift Away by Mike Berry|via=[[SecondHandSongs]]}}</ref> 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|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and receiving a gold certification from the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). The song has been covered by numerous musicians.
This song is also a famous "goodbye" or ending song for concerts. Its use is often as filler for a last song, usually in preparation for an encore, since it has a catchy beat and a guitar solo can be easily added to the end of the song in order to spice things up before the encore. As such, many live covers have been performed by a multitude of bands and it has become a hit among [[soft rock]] fans.


==Dobie Gray version==
==Covers==
{{Infobox song
| name = Drift Away
| cover = Dobie Gray - DA.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Dobie Gray]]
| album = Drift Away
| B-side = City Stars
| released = 1973
| recorded = 1972
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
* [[Soft rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertainment.expertscolumn.com/200-greatest-soft-rock-songs|title=200 Greatest Soft Rock Songs|website=entertainment.expertscolumn.com}}</ref>
* [[Soul music|soul]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/rock-n-soul-20-soul-classics-rock-fans-will-love |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809204411/https://www.loudersound.com/features/rock-n-soul-20-soul-classics-rock-fans-will-love |title=Rock'N'Soul: 20 Soul Classics Rock Fans Will Love |last=McIntyre |first=Ken |website=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=July 9, 2018 |archive-date=August 9, 2019 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| length = 3:54
| label = [[Decca Records|Decca]]
| producer = Mentor Williams
| prev_title = [[Rose Garden (Lynn Anderson song)|Rose Garden]]
| prev_year = 1972
| next_title = Loving Arms
| next_year = 1973
}}
===Personnel===
*[[Dobie Gray]] &ndash; vocals
*[[David Briggs (American musician)|David Briggs]] &ndash; keyboards
*Mike Leech &ndash; bass
*[[Kenny Malone]] &ndash; drums
*[[Troy Seals]] &ndash; acoustic and electric guitar
*[[Reggie Young]] &ndash; acoustic and electric guitar and banjo
*[[Weldon Myrick]] &ndash; pedal steel guitar
*[[Buddy Spicher]] &ndash; violin on ''L.A.Lady''
*[[Mentor Williams]] &ndash; acoustic guitar on ''Now That I Am Without You''<ref> Gray, Dobie, Dobie Gray: ''Drift Away, Loving Arms, Hey Dixie'', BGO Records, BGOCD1004, liner notes, 2011</ref>


===Charts===
"Drift Away" is infamous for being covered by bands and people all over the world for years. The list includes:
{{col-begin|width=67%}}
{{col-2}}


====Weekly charts====
*[[Bo Bice]], on ''[[American Idol]]''
{| class="wikitable sortable"
*[[Michael Bolton]]
|-
*[[Bon Jovi]]
!Chart (1973)
*[[Bowery Electric]]
!Peak<br/>position
*[[Clarence Carter]]
|-
*[[Chosen Few]]
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book|first= David |last= Kent |author-link= David Kent (historian) |title= [[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970-1992]] |publisher= Australian Chart Book |location= [[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives]], N.S.W. |year= 1993 |isbn= 0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
*[[Copycats]]
| style="text-align:center;"|44
*[[Linda Eder]]
|-
*[[Chris Foster]]
|Canada Top Singles (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')
*[[Waylon Jennings]]
| style="text-align:center;"|7
*[[John Kay (musician)|John Kay]]
|-
*[[The Nylons]]
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|5|artist=Dobie Gray|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/301049/dobie-gray/chart}}
*[[Roy Orbison]]
|-
*[[Ringo Starr]]
|US [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=101}}</ref>
*[[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]]
|align="center"|12
*[[Rod Stewart]]
|-
*[[Uncle Kracker]]
|US [[Hot Soul Singles]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')
| style="text-align:center;"|42
|-
|US [[Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles|''Cash Box'' Top 100]]
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|}
{{col-2}}


====Year-end charts====
A rare live duet cover of this song by the [[Rolling Stones]] and [[the Beatles]] also exists.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!align="left"|Chart (1973)
! style="text-align:center;"|Rank
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.100214&URLjpg=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f4/nlc008388.100214.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.100214|title=Image : RPM Weekly|first=Library and Archives|last=Canada|website=[[Library and Archives Canada]] |date=December 26, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|83
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1973.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1973/Top 100 Songs of 1973|publisher=musicoutfitters.com |access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|17
|-
|US ''Cash Box'' Top 100<ref>http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1973YESP.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715135835/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/1973YESP.html |date=2014-07-15 }} Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1973</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|18
|}
{{col-end}}


===Certifications===
==Lyrics==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Dobie Gray|title=Drift Away|award=Gold|relyear=1972|certyear=1973|access-date=June 20, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
{{-}}


==Other versions==
Day after day I'm more confused
===Narvel Felts version===
Yet I look for the light
{{Infobox song
Through the pourin' rain
| name = Drift Away
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
| cover =Driftawaynarvelfelts.jpg
And I'm feeling the strain
| alt =
Ain't it a shame
| type = single
| artist = [[Narvel Felts]]
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I want to get lost in your rock and roll
| album = Drift Away
| B-side = Foggy Misty Morning
And drift away
| released = 1973
[repeat]
| recorded =
| studio =
Beginning to think that I'm wasting time
| venue =
I don't understand the things I do
| genre =
The world outside looks so unkind
| length = 3:15
Now I'm counting on you
| label = Cinnamon
To carry me through
| producer = Farah Productions<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/abc4119 |title=Narvel Felts - Drift Away / Foggy Misty Morning - ABC - UK - ABC 4119 |publisher=45cat |date=1976-05-14 |access-date=2014-06-26}}</ref>
| prev_title = Rockin' Little Angel
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
| prev_year = 1973
I want to get lost in your rock and roll
| next_title = All in the Name of Love
And drift away
| next_year = 1973
[repeat]
}}
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.<ref name="whitburn">{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008|publisher=Record Research, Inc|year=2008|page=143|isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}}</ref> This song marked Narvel's first success in the country scene, as he was known from the late 1950s as a rockabilly singer.
And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feeling blue
The guitar's coming through to soothe me
Thanks for the joy that you're given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
Your rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You've helped me along
Makin' me strong
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I want to get lost in your rock and roll
And drift away
[repeat]
Na, na, now won't ya
Won't ya take, oh ha... take me


====Charts (Narvel Felts)====
[[Category:1972 songs]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (1973)
!Peak <br>position
|-
|Canada Country Tracks ([[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']])
| style="text-align:center;"|48
|-
|US [[Hot Country Singles]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|}

{{-}}

===Michael Bolton version===
{{Infobox song
| name = Drift Away
| cover = Driftawaybolton.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Michael Bolton]]
| album = [[Timeless: The Classics]]
| B-side =
| released = {{start date|1992|12|14}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=19|date=December 12, 1992}}</ref>
| recorded = 1992
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 6:07
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| producer = {{hlist|[[David Foster]]|[[Walter Afanasieff]]|Michael Bolton}}
| prev_title = [[To Love Somebody (song)#Michael Bolton version|To Love Somebody]]
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = [[Reach Out I'll Be There]]
| next_year = 1992
| misc =
}}

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 Records|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====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1992–1993)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-01-16.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=10|issue=3|date=January 16, 1993|page=15|access-date=March 24, 2024}}</ref>
|align="center"|35
|-
|Europe (European Hit Radio)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-01-23.pdf|title=EHR Top 40|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=10|issue=4|date=January 23, 1993|page=26|access-date=April 6, 2024}}</ref>
|align="center"|39
|-
|{{single chart|Ireland2|15|song=Drift Away|access-date=June 14, 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|23|artist=Michael Bolton|song=Drift Away}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|18|date=19921227}}
|}
{{-}}

===Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray version===
{{Infobox song
| name = Drift Away
| cover = Kracker - Drift Away cd single.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[Uncle Kracker]] featuring [[Dobie Gray]]
| album = [[No Stranger to Shame]]
| released = {{start date|2003|01|27}}
| recorded = 2002
| studio =
| venue =
| length =
* 4:15 (album version)
* 3:40 (radio edit)
| label = [[Lava Records|Lava]]
| producer =
* [[Michael Bradford]]
* Uncle Kracker
| chronology = [[Uncle Kracker]]
| prev_title = [[In a Little While (Uncle Kracker song)|In a Little While]]
| prev_year = 2002
| next_title = Memphis Soul Song
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Dobie Gray]]
| type = single
| prev_title = Take It Real Easy
| prev_year = 1987
| title = Drift Away
| year = 2003
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
}}
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 [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks|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=====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (2003–2004)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|25|artist=Uncle Kracker feat. Dobie Gray|song=Drift Away|access-date=May 31, 2018}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|9|artist=Uncle Kracker|access-date=July 12, 2017}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|1|artist=Uncle Kracker|access-date=July 12, 2017}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|2|artist=Uncle Kracker|access-date=July 12, 2017}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|10|artist=Uncle Kracker|access-date=July 12, 2017}}
|}

=====Year-end charts=====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (2003)
!Position
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/2003-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 2003|website=Billboardtop100of.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|19
|-
|US Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'')<ref name="usadultye">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA40|title=Year in Music|magazine=Billboard|volume=115|issue=52|page=YE-80|date=December 27, 2003|access-date=December 19, 2023}}</ref>
|align="center"|3
|-
|US Adult Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref name="usadultye"/>
|align="center"|2
|-
|US Mainstream Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs|magazine=[[Airplay Monitor]]|volume=11|issue=51|page=14|date=December 19, 2003}}</ref>
|align="center"|34
|}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (2004)
!Position
|-
|US Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA34|title=Year in Music & Touring|magazine=Billboard|volume=116|issue=52|page=YE-74|date=December 25, 2004|access-date=December 19, 2023}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
|}

====Release history====
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States
|January 27, 2003
|[[Hot adult contemporary]] radio
|rowspan="2"|[[Lava Records|Lava]]
|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-01-24.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1488|page=30|date=January 24, 2003|access-date=June 10, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|May 5, 2003
|[[Contemporary hit radio]]
|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-05-02.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1502|page=26|date=May 2, 2003|access-date=June 10, 2021}}</ref>
|}

==Other cover versions==

[[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.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Stadler |first1=Gustavus |title=Cover Art |url=http://avidly.lareviewofbooks.org/2013/06/25/cover-art/ |magazine=[[Los Angeles Review of Books]] |access-date=23 April 2019 |date=25 June 2013}}</ref> It was finally given an official release in October 2021 as part of the ''[[Tattoo You]]'' reissue.

==See also==
*[[List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 2003 (U.S.)|List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2003]] and [[List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2004|2004 (U.S.)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Narvel Felts}}
{{Michael Bolton}}
{{Uncle Kracker}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1970 songs]]
[[Category:1972 singles]]
[[Category:1973 singles]]
[[Category:1992 singles]]
[[Category:2003 singles]]
[[Category:Mike Berry (singer) songs]]
[[Category:Dobie Gray songs]]
[[Category:Narvel Felts songs]]
[[Category:Michael Bolton songs]]
[[Category:Uncle Kracker songs]]
[[Category:American soft rock songs]]
[[Category:American soul songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Mentor Williams]]
[[Category:Songs about music]]
[[Category:Swamp rock songs]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Decca Records singles]]
[[Category:Lava Records singles]]
[[Category:ABC Records singles]]
[[Category:The Rolling Stones songs]]

Revision as of 22:01, 18 November 2024

For the Sons of Zion song, see Drift Away (Sons of Zion song). For the Cat Empire song, see Where the Angels Fall. For the song from Steven Universe: The Movie, see Steven Universe: The Movie (soundtrack). For the 2021 French film, see Drift Away (film).
"Drift Away"
Song by Mike Berry
from the album Drift Away
Released1972
Length3:13
LabelYork
Songwriter(s)Mentor Williams
"Drift Away"
Single by John Henry Kurtz
from the album Reunion
Written1970
Released1972
GenreSwamp rock
Length3:30
LabelABC
Songwriter(s)Mentor Williams
Producer(s)
  • Steve Barri
  • Dan Walsh
  • Harvey Price
John Henry Kurtz singles chronology
"Drift Away"
(1972) 		"One Tin Soldier"
(1973)

"Drift Away" is a song written by Mentor Williams in 1970 and first 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

"Drift Away"
Single by Dobie Gray
from the album Drift Away
B-side"City Stars"
Released1973
Recorded1972
Genre
Length3:54
LabelDecca
Producer(s)Mentor Williams
Dobie Gray singles chronology
"Rose Garden"
(1972) 		"Drift Away"
(1973) 		"Loving Arms"
(1973)

Personnel

Charts

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"
Released1973
Length3:15
LabelCinnamon
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
ReleasedDecember 14, 1992 (1992-12-14)[15]
Recorded1992
Length6:07
LabelColumbia
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
ReleasedJanuary 27, 2003 (2003-01-27)
Recorded2002
Length
  • 4:15 (album version)
  • 3:40 (radio edit)
LabelLava
Producer(s)
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]
May 5, 2003 Contemporary hit radio [31]

Other cover versions

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.[32] It was finally given an official release in October 2021 as part of the Tattoo You reissue.

See also

References

  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.
  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. ^ 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
  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.
  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.
  18. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Drift Away". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  19. ^ "Michael Bolton – Drift Away". Top 40 Singles.
  20. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  21. ^ "Uncle Kracker feat. Dobie Gray – Drift Away". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  22. ^ "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  23. ^ "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  24. ^ "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  25. ^ "Uncle Kracker Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  26. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2003". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  27. ^ a b "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. ^ Stadler, Gustavus (25 June 2013). "Cover Art". Los Angeles Review of Books. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Drift_Away&oldid=1258237541"