Drift Away

Last updated
"Drift Away"
Song by Mike Berry
from the album Drift Away
Released1972
Length3:13
Label York
Songwriter(s) Mentor Williams
"Drift Away"
Driftawayjhk.jpg
Single by John Henry Kurtz
from the album Reunion
Written1970
Released1972
Genre Swamp rock
Length3:30
Label ABC
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 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.

Contents

Dobie Gray version

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

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [12] Gold1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

Narvel Felts version

"Drift Away"
Driftawaynarvelfelts.jpg
Single by Narvel Felts
from the album Drift Away
B-side "Foggy Misty Morning"
Released1973
Length3:15
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"
Driftawaybolton.jpg
Single by Michael Bolton
from the album Timeless: The Classics
ReleasedDecember 14, 1992 (1992-12-14) [15]
Recorded1992
Length6:07
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"
Kracker - Drift Away cd single.jpg
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)
Label Lava
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

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesJanuary 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

Related Research Articles

<i>No Stranger to Shame</i> 2002 studio album by Uncle Kracker

No Stranger to Shame is the second studio album by American recording artist Uncle Kracker. It was released on August 27, 2002 via Lava Records. The album peaked at number 43 on the Billboard 200, spawning two charted singles "In a Little While" and "Drift Away", the latter reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 29, 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Yellow Taxi</span> 1970 single by Joni Mitchell

"Big Yellow Taxi" is a song written, composed, and originally recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in 1970, and originally released on her album Ladies of the Canyon. It was a hit in her native Canada as well as Australia and the UK. It only reached No. 67 in the US in 1970, but was later a bigger hit there for her in a live version released in 1974, which peaked at No. 24. Charting versions have also been recorded by the Neighborhood, and most notably by Amy Grant in 1995 and Counting Crows in 2002. The song was also sampled in Janet Jackson's "Got 'til It's Gone" (1997).

The Adult Contemporary chart is published weekly by Billboard magazine and lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary radio stations in the United States. The chart is compiled based on airplay data submitted to Billboard by stations that are members of the Adult Contemporary radio panel. The chart debuted in Billboard magazine on July 17, 1961. Over the years, the chart has undergone a series of name changes, being called Easy Listening(1961–1962; 1965–1979), Middle-Road Singles(1962–1964), Pop-Standard Singles(1964–1965), Hot Adult Contemporary(1984–1996) and Adult Contemporary(1979–1984, 1996–present). The current number-one song on the chart is "Lose Control" by Teddy Swims.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runaway (Del Shannon song)</span> 1961 single by Del Shannon

"Runaway" is a number-one Billboard Hot 100 song made famous by Del Shannon in 1961. It was written by Shannon and keyboardist Max Crook, and became a major international hit. It topped the Billboard charts for four consecutive weeks, and Billboard ranked it as the No. 5 song for 1961. It was No. 472 on the 2010 version of Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and No. 466 on the 2004 version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dobie Gray</span> American singer and songwriter (1940–2011)

Dobie Gray was an American singer and songwriter. Gray's music spanned multiple genres, including soul, country, pop, and musical theater. His hit songs included "The 'In' Crowd" in 1965 and "Drift Away". "Drift Away" was one of the biggest hits of 1973, has sold over one million copies, and remains a staple of radio airplay.

Albert Narvel Felts is an American country music and rockabilly singer. Known for his soaring tenor and high falsetto, Felts enjoyed his greatest success during the 1970s, most famously 1975's "Reconsider Me".

"The 'In' Crowd" is a 1964 song written by Billy Page and arranged by his brother Gene and originally performed by Dobie Gray on his album Dobie Gray Sings for "In" Crowders That Go "Go-Go". It appeared on an episode of Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember, featuring in the last week of November 1964, the month Gray's rendition was released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You</span> 1990 single by Heart

"All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" is a song by American rock band Heart. It was composed by veteran songwriter and producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange and released as the lead single from the band's tenth studio album, Brigade, in March 1990. The song was first recorded as "All I Want to Do Is Make Love to You" by Dobie Gray in 1979, though with different lyrics. The Heart version tells the story of a woman who sets out to seduce a hitchhiker in order to become pregnant because although there is a man in her life, he is infertile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Follow Me (Uncle Kracker song)</span> 2000 single by Uncle Kracker

"Follow Me" is the debut single of American musician Uncle Kracker. It was released on November 6, 2000, as the lead single from his debut studio album, Double Wide (2000). It was written by Kracker and Michael Bradford and was produced by Bradford and Kid Rock. According to Kracker, the song has multiple meanings, with people speculating that it could be about drugs or infidelity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uncle Kracker</span> American musician (born 1974)

Matthew Shafer, also known by his stage name Uncle Kracker, is an American singer and musician. He was previously a turntablist for Kid Rock's backing group Twisted Brown Trucker; since 1999, he has recorded as a solo artist. His singles "Follow Me" and "Drift Away" were top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lonely Teardrops</span> 1958 single by Jackie Wilson

"Lonely Teardrops" is a song written by Berry Gordy Jr., Gwen Gordy and Roquel "Billy" Davis, first recorded and released as a single in 1958 by R&B singer Jackie Wilson, on the Brunswick label. The single was commercially successful, reaching the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, and number-one on the R&B chart. It is ranked as the 57th biggest U.S. hit of 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smile (Uncle Kracker song)</span> 2009 song by Uncle Kracker

"Smile" is a song by American musician Uncle Kracker from his fourth studio album, Happy Hour (2009). It was released as the album's first single on July 13, 2009, and again charted in August 2010. The track features pop rock singer Rae Rae, who sings backing vocals throughout the song and at the end of the title. Commercially, the song reached number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 44 in Canada, and number three in Australia. The song was featured in Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurt (Roy Hamilton song)</span> 1954 song

"Hurt" is a 1954 song by Jimmie Crane and Al Jacobs. "Hurt" was originally performed by Roy Hamilton, whose version peaked at number eight on the R&B Best Seller chart and spent a total of seven weeks on the chart. A version by Ricky Denell also received considerable radio airplay in 1954 on pop radio stations. The song is considered to be the signature hit of Timi Yuro, whose version went to number four on the Billboard pop chart in 1961. Elvis Presley’s 1976 version reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. Juice Newton's 1985 version scored number one on Billboard's Country chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good to Be Me</span> 2010 single by Uncle Kracker with Kid Rock

"Good to Be Me" is a song recorded by Uncle Kracker. It was released in 2010 as the second single from Kracker's album Happy Hour. The song was written by Matthew Shafer, Brett James, J. T. Harding and Robert J. Ritchie. The single version features Kracker's friend Kid Rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In a Little While (Uncle Kracker song)</span> 2002 single by Uncle Kracker

"In a Little While" is a song by American singer-songwriter Uncle Kracker from his second album, No Stranger to Shame (2002). It was released as a single on August 12, 2002, and peaked at number 59 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single also reached number 26 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

"Rose Garden" is a song written in 1967 by American singer-songwriter Joe South. It was first recorded by Billy Joe Royal on his 1967 studio album Billy Joe Royal Featuring "Hush". Versions by South himself and Dobie Gray appeared shortly after the original. Gray's version became a minor hit in North America in 1969.

"Reconsider Me" is a country/soul ballad written by Margaret Lewis and Mira Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loving Arms</span> 1973 single by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge

"Loving Arms" is a song written by Tom Jans and first recorded as a duet by Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge for their 1973 album Full Moon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uncle Kracker discography</span>

This is the discography for American musician Uncle Kracker.

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. 1 2 "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.