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Dobie Gray — Drift Away
Album: Ultimate Collection
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1856









Released: 1973
Length: 3:46
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Day after day I'm more confused
Yet I look for the light through the pouring rain
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
And I'm feelin' the strain
Ain't it a shame

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time
I don't understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
And I'm countin' on you
To carry me through

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Yeah, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The guitar's comin' through to soothe me

Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
And rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You've helped me along
Makin' me strong

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Hey, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Na na na, won't you, won't you take me
Oh, take me
Comments (158)add comment
What a tune
Gets me every time 
This is my favorite version of this song. 
For years I thought the lyric was:

Oh, give me the beach boys and free my soul
 thewiseking wrote:

pure formula



And so are you, based on your comments.

Newsflash: Not every song has to be "deep" or "transcendental"... music can sometimes be just catchy, joyous, and simple. And make people feel good. 
 thewiseking wrote:

pure formula




Yes!  But, it was a GOOD FORMULA at the time!  ...ya got a problem with that?
 surfool wrote:

For all these years I thought he was saying, "give me the Beach Boys ..."




For all these years I thought he was saying, "give me the Beach Boys ..."
gimmie the beach boys and free my soul...
1973.
Speaking strictly for myself -
"Music's where it's at for me.  As far as i'm concerned - nothing else matters"
.
Dobie Gray - 'Drift Away', and John Miles - 'Music' say it all for me.
Music was my first love. And it will be my last.
Thanks for all the joy you've given me...
 kathywoolverton wrote:
Flash back to KTel Sound Explosion album



"You can tell it's KTel, it's swell!"
 thewiseking wrote:

pure formula



exactly - like the specialty infant kind - more valuable than gold to some in 2022.  This Dobie Gray is a solid gold classic.  
                                             ...................drift away.............................
pure formula
 steuss wrote:

Agree with Bill's comment after song that we REALLY heard this a lot in 73-74.  Even in central TX where I grew up.  Overplayed to the hilt, can't listen to it today as a result.




But it is much better NOW in FLAC w/ great phones, amp & DAC!  Thanx RP!   
 TJOpootertoot wrote:

This isn't a bad song but it's on the radio all the time...It's more of a big "So what?" I don't mind RP playing "mainstream" stuff - this just seems to be such a "classic rock" staple I don't know what the point is. You might as well play "Spirit in the Sky."


If it's on "the radio" all the time, you aren't listening to RP.

Make your choice RP or "the radio"!


Perfect song 
Upping my rating to 11.
GODLIKE!!! ICONIC!!!
“Give me the ‘Beach Boys’ and free my sole” I todally agree!
 radioparadise38 wrote:
Not heard this for many many years. Top notch
 
Was just thinking the same - a straight 8
 Hannio wrote:

So, ... never hearing this song again.


Leave it to Hannio to be the only down voted comment on this thread and manage to garner 7 in the process.  
Not heard this for many many years. Top notch
 bubbadub wrote:

Sorry, but I was 18 when this came out and never get tired of hearing it.   




Neither do I.  No apology required!
I can't believe Dobie Gray was born in the tiny (and I mean tiny) town of Simonton, TX which is just West of my tiny town of Fulshear, TX.  If Simonton was Detroit they would no doubt have a statue.   What a weird factoid...
 kathywoolverton wrote:
Flash back to KTel Sound Explosion album



Sorry, but I was 18 when this came out and never get tired of hearing it.   
Agree with Bill's comment after song that we REALLY heard this a lot in 73-74.  Even in central TX where I grew up.  Overplayed to the hilt, can't listen to it today as a result.
 tinypriest wrote:

Had that album! Oh my God, that one had the hits, alright. Second song on there was Flip Flop and Fly by the Downchild Blues Band -- still a winner after almost 50 years; and there was Spiders and Snakes from Jim Stafford, and Painted Ladies by Ian Thomas! -- talk about an 'eclectic mix'.


So many Canadian bands mixed in there (the aforementioned Downchild and Ian, plus Lighthouse, BTO, The Defranco Family ["featuring Tony DeFranco", lol], and the Stampeders), plus R&B and soul and even Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

What a brew!
 
22 Explosive Hits was better.
 kathywoolverton wrote:
Flash back to KTel Sound Explosion album

 
Had that album! Oh my God, that one had the hits, alright. Second song on there was Flip Flop and Fly by the Downchild Blues Band -- still a winner after almost 50 years; and there was Spiders and Snakes from Jim Stafford, and Painted Ladies by Ian Thomas! -- talk about an 'eclectic mix'.


So many Canadian bands mixed in there (the aforementioned Downchild and Ian, plus Lighthouse, BTO, The Defranco Family ["featuring Tony DeFranco", lol], and the Stampeders), plus R&B and soul and even Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

What a brew!
 kathywoolverton wrote:
Flash back to KTel Sound Explosion album

 
Minimalistic turntable! Nice.
And to think that for decades I thought this song was a tribute to the Beach Boys 
This is not really my cup of tea, but it's unarguably great.
This is great, thank you. Makes me think of a non-smoking Joe Cocker. I don't mean this as a crack at all, I find it interestingly strange. 
 Stefen wrote:
All these years, I thought it was the Beach Boys.
 
As in "give me the Beach Boys that freed my soul?" ME TOO. Well, when I first heard this as a kid. I'm way too sophisticated now for that sort of mistake.
Sheer perfection.
Perfect. A 10!
 kathywoolverton wrote:
Flash back to KTel Sound Explosion album

 

I remember those Ktel albums. Lots of great tunes on that one.
 Stefen wrote:
All these years, I thought it was the Beach Boys.
 

...and I thought it was the free boys...
Flash back to KTel Sound Explosion album

A perfect song for these difficult times.
Damn, but that takes me back. Well played indeed!
Always I've loved this song; just pure, clear, not overproduced. 40 years old and sounds perfect.
One of the first songs to get through to me as a kid living in Texas.  Came out just before we left to come home to England.

Love it; 10 every day of the week.
That's Reggie Young Jr. on guitar, 'taking you' ~
 lester wrote:
HazzeSwede wrote:
Much BS about this song,can someone please tell me who else has recorded this,have one better verision in my head of this very exellent song,that will get a better rating!
This may help.
 

Wow!  I followed the link over to the Second Hand Songs web site and found 87 recorded versions of this song!  Eighty-seven.

Of course a lot of these are by people or bands that almost no one remembers if they ever heard of them in the first place, but there are a lot of folks who we all know including:

Roy Orbison
Ike and Tina Turner
Humble Pie
Rod Stewart
Ray Charles
The Neville Brothers
The Heptones
Michael Bolton
Ringo Starr
Waylon Jennings
Jackie DeShannon
Tom Rush
Garth Brooks
I hear it on my little bedside am radio (gotten from plaid stamps) back "the day." Soundtrack of my youth. How do I remember all those lyrics but I can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday?
Not a fave by any stretch, but hearing it once every month or two in the context of what RP does is fine with me.
For some reason, I still associate this song with report card day. It helped calm the great foreboding that the day often brought the young teenager I was. Played on "repeat." Back in the day that meant getting up to put the needle back down. 8
I watched him perform on a super-local comedy/variety show called 'Tush', mid 80's(?). Hosted by Bill Tush, who got his start introducing afternoon movies (remember?), it was goofy and ultra-low budget. But hilarious. Jan Hooks (yes, her) was in the cast, and her genius was evident even then. Wonder if I could find tapes of it?

Still love this song.
c.
 Chwkbud wrote:
One of my top 5 all time favourite songs.  Indeed, it did help me drift away listening to it, on so many occasions. One of those songs where/when all the elements came together perfectly; melody, lyrics, instrumentation and such a vocal.  Thanks for keeping it alive RP!
 
I'll echo your comment by saying THANKS to BillG for dusting this one off recently....such a great refrain and uplifting song....9 for sure....Long Live RP!!
All these years, I thought it was the Beach Boys.
One of my top 5 all time favourite songs.  Indeed, it did help me drift away listening to it, on so many occasions. One of those songs where/when all the elements came together perfectly; melody, lyrics, instrumentation and such a vocal.  Thanks for keeping it alive RP!
Just going by the dates of the comments in here, this classic is not in rotation often enough.

Whatever your taste, it's hard to resist moving to the beat when this comes on... :)
Great song!  Let me add another vote for "if it's good, RP should play it even if it's on mainstream commercial radio."
Ahhh!
This is just right, old time soul with a FINE voice and damn good musicality, RIGHTEOUS!!!
lester wrote: Lordy, lordy, I knew it had been covered many times but had no idea how many times!!
HazzeSwede wrote:
Much BS about this song,can someone please tell me who else has recorded this,have one better verision in my head of this very exellent song,that will get a better rating!
This may help.
Much BS about this song,can someone please tell me who else has recorded this,have one better verision in my head of this very exellent song,that will get a better rating!
strick wrote:
Ditto.
just don't listen to that other radio and you will be fine with hearing it here.
meower215 wrote:
For me its not about eclectic or the definition of... I listen to RP so I can hear stuff I dont hear on that other radio, this I can hear easily 10X/Day. I dont think its necessary for RP to play songs like this Just my humble viewpoint
I like that RP plays a wide variety of good songs. The fact that other radio stations play a song is no reason for RP to not play it -- we're not listening to those other stations; we're listening to RP.
Whether it belongs on RP or not, or whether its overplayed on "classic rock" stations, its still a good tune, and there's no problem with having 3 minutes of good tune in between other good stuff, and a lot of eclectic stuff that may or may not be so good. So stop complaining.
meower215 wrote:
For me its not about eclectic or the definition of...
I think this is what RP is about though - eclectic online rock radio. At least that's what it says at the top of my browser. IMHO there's nothing wrong with mixing a classic or two with all the others. It's the same reason that I use "random" on my mp3 player.
strick wrote:
Ditto.
Unditto. I think it is entirely necessary to play songs like this. Just to underline the point, I can hear Bowie's Sound and Vision on 'the other radio' at any time, but I ain't gonna complain, coz there's more than just a few RPers out there who like it!! IMHO
So, there is somebody here that likes this song so much that they took the effort to upload it, rather than thousands of other songs infinitely better. I could live the rest of my life very happily never hearing this song again.
meower215 wrote:
For me its not about eclectic or the definition of... I listen to RP so I can hear stuff I dont hear on that other radio, this I can hear easily 10X/Day. I dont think its necessary for RP to play songs like this Just my humble viewpoint
Ditto.
It feels good. and singing along is fun. definately has that 70's feel to it.
TJOpootertoot wrote:
This isn't a bad song but it's on the radio all the time...It's more of a big "So what?"
I don't get it either -- either version.
Rocking-M wrote:
Damn, i'm starting to wonder about some of you folks. Comparing it to or remember tv by a song. You must be watching to much tv or something. Saying cause you can here this song on canned radio doesn't matter either. It's a great song. New rock just doesn't hold a candle most of the time to the older rock songs.
Damn, i'm starting to wonder about some of you folks. Comparing it to or remember tv by a song. You must be watching to much tv or something. Saying cause you can here this song on canned radio doesn't matter either. It's a great song. New rock just doesn't hold a candle most of the time to the older rock songs.
I want you to know I believe in your song...........
meower215 wrong. Vogelfrei right IMHO (Although with Bowie Sound & Vision next, I'm wondering...)
meower215 wrote:
For me its not about eclectic or the definition of... I listen to RP so I can hear stuff I dont hear on that other radio, this I can hear easily 10X/Day. I dont think its necessary for RP to play songs like this Just my humble viewpoint
Agree wholeheartedly.
Another campy one.
savoyard wrote:
Absolutely suck-o-barfo. This is really dated butt rock.
Yeah I'm a much bigger fan of the modern butt rock :)
Vogelfrei wrote:
This comment comes up so often, I think we need a FAQ that explains the word "eclectic." In large print. People still seem to think that if part of your extensive and varied selection includes something they've heard before, it must not be eclectic. :|
For me its not about eclectic or the definition of... I listen to RP so I can hear stuff I dont hear on that other radio, this I can hear easily 10X/Day. I dont think its necessary for RP to play songs like this Just my humble viewpoint
Does anyone remember that old TV series "WKRP in Cincinnati" and Johnny Fever? I can't hear this song without thinking of a particular episode. Love this song!
Crankin' it up!
Yet another case of discovering the original after being much more familiar with a particular cover. Yay RP!
I like it...always did...always will.
savoyard wrote:
Absolutely suck-o-barfo. This is really dated butt rock.
I like the new genre: 'dated butt-rock'.
Absolutely suck-o-barfo. This is really dated butt rock.
lynncorry1964 wrote:
Vogelfrei wrote:
This comment comes up so often, I think we need a FAQ that explains the word "eclectic." In large print. People still seem to think that if part of your extensive and varied selection includes something they've heard before, it must not be eclectic. :|lynncorry1964 says: hear hear!!!! The adjective eclectic has one meaning: Meaning #1: selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas So I must say that "Drift Away" seems the best of the 70's rock ballad/classic style....wouldn't you agree??
Amen to that! Of course, Dobie has the unfortunate problem of having had a very popular song with this one. It's a great song...too bad, huh?
A know a lot of people love this song. I absolutely hate it. Might be my most hated song of all time. Right up there with anything by Air Supply...
This is one of those that brings back pleasant memories of youth...
Alafia wrote:
...and this is "eclectic"---- HOW??
You really surprise and disappoint me with this comment. I thought you, of all people, would 'get' it.
Vogelfrei wrote:
This comment comes up so often, I think we need a FAQ that explains the word "eclectic." In large print. People still seem to think that if part of your extensive and varied selection includes something they've heard before, it must not be eclectic. :|lynncorry1964 says: hear hear!!!! The adjective eclectic has one meaning: Meaning #1: selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas So I must say that "Drift Away" seems the best of the 70's rock ballad/classic style....wouldn't you agree??
Vogelfrei wrote:
This comment comes up so often, I think we need a FAQ that explains the word "eclectic." In large print.
Exactly! By definition, the word eclectic can never refer to a single tune (or whatever is being referred to).
it is damn refreshing to hear the original and not that f-ing terrible remix playing on free fm 23 hours a day.
Vogelfrei wrote:
This comment comes up so often, I think we need a FAQ that explains the word "eclectic." In large print. People still seem to think that if part of your extensive and varied selection includes something they've heard before, it must not be eclectic.
Hear, hear.
huebdoo wrote:
I am in elementary school again With my ToughSkins pants (Aqua-marine) and my hockey stick with a 3 pound super-blade attached and my NorthStar runners With a Snoopy (Joe Cool) sweater I love this - thanks RP
What about Converse Allstars?
I love this tune. Brings back memories of when I was 4 years old. Loved this tune and Superstition.
Alafia wrote:
...and this is "eclectic"---- HOW??
This comment comes up so often, I think we need a FAQ that explains the word "eclectic." In large print. People still seem to think that if part of your extensive and varied selection includes something they've heard before, it must not be eclectic. :|
Music is the fuel that feeds my sanity. Thanks for the great tunes.
I am in elementary school again With my ToughSkins pants (Aqua-marine) and my hockey stick with a 3 pound super-blade attached and my NorthStar runners With a Snoopy (Joe Cool) sweater I love this - thanks RP
This isn't a bad song but it's on the radio all the time...It's more of a big "So what?" I don't mind RP playing "mainstream" stuff - this just seems to be such a "classic rock" staple I don't know what the point is. You might as well play "Spirit in the Sky."
if ever I was a One-Hit Wonder, THIS would be the tune I would have written! Most excellent!
...and this is "eclectic"---- HOW?? not a bad song, all-in-all, but I don't want to hear it on RP, thanks.
lester wrote:
Did some quick research to find out just who this "Uncle Kracker" was. Now a question: How is it that so many RP listeners -- people of some apparent musical taste and/or discretion -- even know of somebody like that?
he was on Leno one night, (though I usually watch Letterman), but occasionally check out the former to catch the musical acts (his show sucks but he does showcase some good bands once in a while)
mrselfdestruct wrote:
I've come to the conclusion that I hate this song. Any version of it.
I agree. What's the appeal?
So pleased to hear the original!
I give this a 10..I don't give out to many 10's.Thanks Bill for not playing a remake!!!
Did some quick research to find out just who this "Uncle Kracker" was. Now a question: How is it that so many RP listeners -- people of some apparent musical taste and/or discretion -- even know of somebody like that?
1st Class.
Plain and simple, it is a great song!! And sung by an often forgotten great singer.
great song to harmonize to - if you're so inclined...
al9009 wrote:
So it was Dobie Gray who sang this. One of those song that you know but not who sang it. Quality.
Couldn't agree with you more.
much better than the pantyhose version
Thank you for playing the original, not Hootie (or whoever did the remake). Great tune, even if I have heard it on the radio.
Gimmie the beat, boys, and free my soul . . . .
I always loved this song! And now my daughter enjoys the remake...
So it was Dobie Gray who sang this. One of those song that you know but not who sang it. Quality. Gets a 10 from me.
I just turn on RP and this is playing! You never know what your going to hear on RP. Which I love, But as long as you only play this once in a blue moon! Looking in the rear view mirror is OK if you need a point of reference.
g-rod wrote:
How come Bill never follows this up with ABBA's "Thank You For The Music"?
Because Bill loves humanity too much to inflict that kind of pain on anyone.
How come Bill never follows this up with ABBA's "Thank You For The Music"?
Hearing this song is better than comfort food! It's good to hear some of the old classics that never seem to make it to "classic" rock stations. Thanks Bill for keeping some of these older staples alive and kicking around. And I like to take a long hard look in the rear view mirror every now and then. How can you know where you're going if you don't know where you've been?
ploafmaster wrote:
Goodness, it's interesting how a wretched remake can ruin something for you... The problem is, the remake is similar enough to the original that it's difficlut for me to dissociate the two. I think I've come to associate the very tune with the aural violation of hearing Uncle Kracker belting this song. How sad...
funny, it was ruben studdard who ruined this one for me...
ploafmaster wrote:
Goodness, it's interesting how a wretched remake can ruin something for you... The problem is, the remake is similar enough to the original that it's difficlut for me to dissociate the two. I think I've come to associate the very tune with the aural violation of hearing Uncle Kracker belting this song. How sad...
If the remake is that similar, I don't understand how it can be so much worse. I'm not sticking up for Uncle Kracker (haven't liked him ever since the first time I heard Follow Me) but to my ears it's not that bad and it's not that different from the original.
BondsLovesSteroids wrote:
Sure, play some Commodores, serious lack of funky stuff on here
:highfive: