Dobie Gray - Drift Away (Original Official Video)
15,317,029
Published 2010-09-06
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 passionless 2003 recording by Uncle Kracker. Credited as Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray, the track meandered along in karaoke sterility until finally Gray's soul chimed in mid-point and he infused it with a thrilling tremble. When the track reached #9 on Billboard's Top 100, Gray broke the record for the biggest gap between top US top 10 appearances (it had been 30 years between both). The Kracker version had a far more major impact on Billboard's Adult Contemporary charts -- it holds the record as the longest #1 on that chart, having reigned for 28 weeks in 2003-04. No doubt thanks to Gray.
There was a story told by Kracker that the song was initially written for Elvis, but Presley turned it down once he heard Gray's version of it. Gray was a demo singer in Memphis at the time. Talk about decree.
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Dobie Gray (background vocals); Dobie Gray (vocals); Larry Byrum, Larry Byrom (guitar); Nashville Strings Players, Damon Seal (strings); Terri McMillian, Terry McMillan (harmonica, percussion); David Dunston (horns, programming); Jay Patton, Mark Douthit (horns); Gary Smith, Matt Rollings, Matt Rollins (keyboards); Dave Pomeroy , Mike Leech (bass guitar); John Hammond (drums); Bill Hinds (guitar);๏ปฟ Ron Oates (strings, keyboards); Eddie Bayers (drums); The Nashville Strings. { - backup vocals}
All Comments (21)
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Anyone here in 2024?!? Always will be a classic ๐๐ป thank you guys so much for 1k likes! I never thought this many people would interact with this comment. Love you all!
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A wonderful man, but also a kind and gentle one. Having no wife or children, he left not only his assets but also future royalties to St. Judes Children's Hospital and The Tennessee School for the Deaf. GOD bless him.
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Here we are listening in 2024. Yall with me?
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I am 72 years old and still listening to this song Reminds me of my young and care free days.
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Anyone still listening to this in 2021? I just recently found this to be the original and its the only one I like
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I loved this song when I was 16...Now, I'm 65 and it makes me cry that the World Has Lost Its decency...and it's mind. Tears.
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One of the greatest songs of ALLTIME. I'm here 51 years later 6-30-2024
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im 65 years old and man let me tell you guys, this brings back so many many good memories, i really miss my younger days. It is hell to get older when the years just fly by so fast. But no regrets what so ever!!
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Itโs 2023, and this song will always soothe my soul.
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THIS SONG IS 48 years old and is still the best song ever to come out
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Thank you for posting. Still vibing with it in 2024. Amazing, magnificent songโค
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Am still listening to this timeless masterpiece in 2024 and beyond ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐๐
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If your listening to this in 2024 your a legend
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It doesn't get any better than this, 1973, 50 years have passed, how?๐ข To all those amazing days we thought would last forever!โค
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A favourite from the day it came out. And I'm 65 ๐.
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Please stop asking if we are still here in some year, we've NEVER stopped listening! Just enjoy the song! ๐ง
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Pure and utter class. Wish there was a bus that could take me back to the 70's. Better music and better times. Thanks for posting.
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2023 and still one of the greatest songs ever recorded
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Listening in 2024! Happy New Year and God Bless youโค๐๐ป
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If you're still listening, you're part of the IN CROWD
