"Drift Away" | |
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Song by Mike Berry | |
from the album Drift Away | |
Released | 1972 |
Length | 3:13 |
Label | York |
Songwriter(s) | Mentor Williams |
"Drift Away" | ||||
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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) |
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John Henry Kurtz singles chronology | ||||
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"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.
"Drift Away" | ||||
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Single by Dobie Gray | ||||
from the album Drift Away | ||||
B-side | "City Stars" | |||
Released | 1973 | |||
Recorded | 1972 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:54 | |||
Label | Decca | |||
Producer(s) | Mentor Williams | |||
Dobie Gray singles chronology | ||||
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Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA) [12] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
"Drift Away" | ||||
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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 | ||||
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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.
Chart (1973) | Peak position |
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Canada Country Tracks (RPM) | 48 |
US Hot Country Singles ( Billboard ) | 8 |
"Drift Away" | ||||
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Single by Michael Bolton | ||||
from the album Timeless: The Classics | ||||
Released | December 14, 1992 [15] | |||
Recorded | 1992 | |||
Length | 6:07 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer(s) |
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Michael Bolton singles chronology | ||||
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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.
Chart (1992–1993) | Peak position |
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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 |
"Drift Away" | ||||
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Single by Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray | ||||
from the album No Stranger to Shame | ||||
Released | January 27, 2003 | |||
Recorded | 2002 | |||
Length |
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Label | Lava | |||
Producer(s) |
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Uncle Kracker singles chronology | ||||
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Dobie Gray singles chronology | ||||
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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.
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.
Chart (2003–2004) | Peak position |
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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 |
Chart (2003) | Position |
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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 |
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US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) [29] | 4 |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United States | January 27, 2003 | Hot adult contemporary radio | Lava | [30] |
May 5, 2003 | Contemporary hit radio | [31] |
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.
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.
"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.
"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.
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.
"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.
"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.
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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
This is the discography for American musician Uncle Kracker.