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Drift Away

"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.

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"

1972

3:13

York

Mentor Williams

1970

1972

Swamp rock

3:30

ABC

Mentor Williams

  • Steve Barri
  • Dan Walsh
  • Harvey Price

"City Stars"

1973

1972

3:54

Decca

Mentor Williams

Katana VentraIP

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vocals

Dobie Gray

keyboards

David Briggs

Mike Leech, bass

drums

Kenny Malone

acoustic and electric guitar

Troy Seals

acoustic and electric guitar and banjo

Reggie Young

pedal steel guitar

Weldon Myrick

violin on L.A.Lady

Buddy Spicher

acoustic guitar on Now That I Am Without You[5]

Mentor Williams

"Drift Away"

"Foggy Misty Morning"

1973

3:15

Cinnamon

Farah Productions[13]

December 14, 1992 (1992-12-14)[15]

1992

6:07

Columbia

January 27, 2003 (2003-01-27)

2002

  • 4:15 (album version)
  • 3:40 (radio edit)

Lava

Other cover versions[edit]

"Drift Away" has also been covered by many bands and vocalists around the world. Versions include those of Clarence Carter, Uncle Kracker, Allan Clarke, Roy Orbison, Ike & Tina Turner, Humble Pie, Mud, Jackie DeShannon, Rod Stewart, James Hollis, Waylon Jennings, Ray Charles, the Neville Brothers, Jon Bon Jovi,[32] Copperhead, Christian Kane, the Miami Showband, the Rolling Stones, the Nylons, Ringo Starr (sharing the lead vocal duties with Tom Petty and Alanis Morissette, with Steven Tyler on the drums),[33] Bruce Springsteen, BoDeans, Judson Spence, Billy Joe Royal, Steve Young and John Kay.[34] Folk singer Tom Rush recorded the song on his album What I Know, released in 2009.


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.[35] It was finally given an official release in October 2021 as part of the Tattoo You reissue. 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.[36] 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").


Garth Brooks for the 2013 Blue-Eyed Soul album in the Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences compilation.


Temuera Morrison recorded and included Drift Away in his 2014 debut album Tem.[37]


Country music star Lynn Anderson (who was the partner of Mentor Williams, who wrote the song) recorded a gospel version that was rewritten by Williams for her 2015 gospel album, Drift Away, which would become her final album.


Dustin Lynch released a song with Jelly Roll called "Chevrolet" with changed lyrics, from his 2023 album Killed the Cowboy.

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and 2004 (U.S.)

List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2003

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