- published: 30 Jun 2008
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"Drift Away" is a song written by Mentor Williams and originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz on his 1972 album Reunion. In 1973 the song became Dobie Gray's biggest hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and certified gold by the RIAA. It was the final pop hit for Decca Records in the United States.
A new version by Uncle Kracker, with Gray, became a major hit in 2003.
"Drift Away" has been covered by many bands and vocalists around the world. Versions include those of Allan Clarke, Roy Orbison, Ike and Tina Turner, Humble Pie, Mud, Rod Stewart, Waylon Jennings, Ray Charles, Neville Brothers, Michael Bolton, Jim Hollis, Christian Kane, The Rolling Stones, The Nylons, Ringo Starr, Bruce Springsteen, Judson Spence, and John Kay. Folk singer Tom Rush recorded the song on his album What I Know, released in 2009. There is an unreleased 1974 recording of this song by The Rolling Stones. This version features all of the members of the then-current lineup of the Stones with the exception of Keith Richards and the addition of keyboardist Nicky Hopkins. 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.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").
Dobie Gray (born Lawrence Darrow Brown; July 26, 1940 – December 6, 2011) was an American singer and songwriter, whose musical career spanned soul, country, pop, and musical theater. His hit records included "The 'In' Crowd" in 1965 and "Drift Away", which was one of the biggest hits of 1973, sold over one million copies, and remains a staple of radio airplay.
He was born near Houston, Texas, by his own account in Simonton although some sources suggest the nearby town of Brookshire. His birth name was most likely Lawrence Darrow Brown, who is listed in Fort Bend County birth records as being born in 1940 to Jane P. Spencel and Jethro Clifton Brown. Other sources suggest he may have been born Leonard Victor Ainsworth, a name he used on some early recordings.
His family sharecropped. He discovered gospel music through his grandfather, a Baptist minister. In the early 1960s he moved to Los Angeles, intending to pursue an acting career while also singing to make money. He recorded for several local labels under the names Leonard Ainsworth, Larry Curtis, and Larry Dennis, before Sonny Bono directed him toward the small independent Stripe Records. They suggested that he record under the name "Dobie Gray", an allusion to the then-popular sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.
dobie gray drift away I take no credit in this music or pictures all items used in this video are not mine nethier do i claim them
(Read my blog post here: Read my blog post here: http://bit.ly/hMObAq) Dobie Gray's version of "Drift Away" is, justifiably, the most famous and, by far, the most brilliant reading of the Mentor Williams-penned (that would be Paul Williams' brother) 70s staple. Originally released on John Henry Kurtz' 1972 REUNION album, the indelible classic always takes me away...to that far away place I used to reside -- within the deepest caverns of my soul. At times the song makes me weep, as I miss the halcyon days of my youth and the kinder world we thrived in. When any ills of the world would be swept away when reaching for your LP of your favorite music was all that was needed to, well, drift away. The song was covered hundreds of times these past 40 years, most famously and recently in a p...
Saw a request for this on the Kris Kristofferson version, so here it is.
nice song
Dobie Gray sings 'I Never Had It So Good' from his1973 MCA album 'Loving Arms'. This song was written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols. The lyrics are in the video and listed below. [Vinyl/Lyrics/23-Images] I Never Had It So Good Singer - Dobie Gray I never had much money I never won a race My jokes don't end up funny I've had doors slammed in my face But I think you've charmed me I always hoped that someone would I never had a love like this before I never had it so good I'm not the kind that's trusted Always trippin' over logs So often I've been busted Chased by friendly dogs But I think you've charmed me Always hoped that someone would I never had a love like this before I never had it so good I think you've charmed me I always hoped that someone would I never had a love like ...
Another masterful performance by one of the great voices of our time - Dobie Gray. We miss you, Dobie.
"Drift Away" is a song written by Mentor Williams and originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz on his 1972 album Reunion. In 1973 the song became Dobie Gray's biggest hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and certified gold by the RIAA. It was the final pop hit for Decca Records in the United States.
A new version by Uncle Kracker, with Gray, became a major hit in 2003.
"Drift Away" has been covered by many bands and vocalists around the world. Versions include those of Allan Clarke, Roy Orbison, Ike and Tina Turner, Humble Pie, Mud, Rod Stewart, Waylon Jennings, Ray Charles, Neville Brothers, Michael Bolton, Jim Hollis, Christian Kane, The Rolling Stones, The Nylons, Ringo Starr, Bruce Springsteen, Judson Spence, and John Kay. Folk singer Tom Rush recorded the song on his album What I Know, released in 2009. There is an unreleased 1974 recording of this song by The Rolling Stones. This version features all of the members of the then-current lineup of the Stones with the exception of Keith Richards and the addition of keyboardist Nicky Hopkins. 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.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").
Day after day I'm more confused
And I look for the light in the pouring rain
You know that's a game I hate to lose
And I'm feelin' the strain, and ain't it a shame
Oh gimme the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Hey gimme the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
When my mind is free, y'know a melody can soothe me
Hey, gimme the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Hey, gimme the beat boys, free my soul, yeah
Gimme the beat boys and free my soul