‘Drift Away’ is a song by Mentor Williams written in 1970 and originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz on his 1972 album Reunion. Mentor Williams was a country songwriter, and John Henry Kurtz was an actor and swamp rock singer, whose 1972 Reunion album also featured Kenny Loggins and a cover of Loggins' ‘Danny's Song.’ Mentor is the brother of singer/songwriter Paul Williams.
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’ is about finding solace and escape in music. The lyrics convey a sense of longing for a peaceful state of mind and a desire to be carried away by the music. The song has resonated with many listeners who have found comfort and emotional release in its message.
This song was not only a commercial breakthrough for Mentor Williams, but also a breakthrough as a recording project. He explained to American Songwriter Magazine March/April 1988: "I think one of the hardest things for me to learn about songwriting was to really expose my feelings and weaknesses and to write personal, emotional things. As soon as I started doing that, I realized other people were relating to my songs. You can study how to write and spend a lot of time writing, but without this emotional content in a song, it's just not there. 'Drift Away' was a big breakthrough for me. It was a song where it suddenly was okay for me to write about being hurt and let people know that I had been hurt and I wasn't afraid to expose my feelings."
Gray mused in an interview that the song's hook of "Gimme the beat boys and free my soul" has been misheard and incorrectly sung as "Gimme the Beach Boys," "Gimme the wheat boys" (proposed for a cereal commercial), "Gimme the peat moss," and "Gimme the meatballs."
Label – Decca
Songwriter – Mentor Williams
Producer – Mentor Williams
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]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
[Chorus]
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
[Verse 2]
Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time
I don't understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
So I'm countin' on you
To carry me through
[Chorus]
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
[Bridge]
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
[Verse 3]
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
[Chorus]
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 (Free my soul)
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Give me the beat boys and free my soul (Free my soul)
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
[Outro]
Na na na, won't you, won't you take me
Oh, take me