Tag: Drift Away

Dobie Gray: Thanks for the Joy You’ve Given Me

Dobie Gray Drift Away Dobie Gray, the singer of “Drift Away,” passed away at the age of 70 on December 6, 2011. Gray had been born into a family of Texas sharecroppers in 1940 with the name Leonard Victor Ainsworth or Laurence Darrow Brown at birth.

Name and Early Career

Gray garnered the name he would make famous because of a television show character.  Sonny Bono suggested to him that he change his stage name to Dobie because of the popularity of the TV show The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.

Gray had a long recording and performing career and had a 1965 hit with “The In Crowd.” In the video below, he performs the song on the ABC TV show Shindig!

“Drift Away”

Every obituary, though, will begin and end with Gray’s great 1973 song, “Drift Away.” The song became a hit again in 2003 as a duet between Gray and Uncle Kracker.

The song was originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz and numerous artists have covered it through the years.  Still, for me, Gray’s version of “Drift Away” is one of the greatest songs of all time.

Songwriter Mentor Williams wrote “Drift Away” in the early 1970s when rock and roll was at less than its peak.  Many saw the song as a reminder about why rock music should continue.

In The Heart of Rock & Soul, music critic Dave Marsh noted that “Williams’ best move was finding the right vehicle for his song,” noting that Gray’s voice was perfect for the song’s “complex message in which the desire to rock out is presented as the desire to dream, the longing to bop is equated with the longing to be soothed.”

Below Gray performs “Drift Away” live.

“Drift Away” is one of those rare songs that makes you happy whenever or wherever you hear it, and it would not be the same without Gray’s voice. Unlike Kurtz’s earlier version that sang about “the” rock and roll, Gray sings about wanting to get lost in “your” rock and roll. And you believe him, and you believe it is “your” music too.

When Gray calls for the beat, it frees your soul. So even on a sad day, Gray’s voice reminds me of why I love music so much.

Thanks for the joy you’ve given me;
I want you to know that I believe in your song;
And rhythm, and rhyme, and harmony;
You helped me along . . .

What do you think of “Drift Away”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Music Notes

    Music lovers know it can be difficult to explain the role that music (or other arts) can play in our lives. Music can uplift, and it can help one through pain, loss, and heartache. For example, in “Drift Away,” singer Dobie Gray described how when one feels blue, the rock and roll guitar may come through to soothe you.

    In the video below, Melissa Etheridge gives one of the best explanations about the value of music as she briefly talks about her battle with cancer. Melissa Etheridge explains music better in this short introduction to Patty Griffin and her excellent song “When It Don’t Come Easy” from Impossible Dream (2004) than you will find in most books on music. 

    Etheridge reminds us how music can fill one and take one through a tough time in life. And then we get the outstanding Patty Griffin song, with lyrics that could describe the comfort one may find in music.

    Everywhere the waters getting rough,
    Your best intentions may not be enough;
    I wonder if we’re gonna ever get home tonight;

    But if you break down,
    I’ll drive out and find you;
    If you forget my love,
    I’ll try to remind you,
    And stay by you when it don’t come easy.

    If music has ever uplifted or comforted you, then this 2005 performance from Lifetime’s “Women Rock” Breast Cancer Awareness Concert will touch you.

    Bonus Cover Version: Here is a link to a cover of Griffin’s “It Don’t Come Easy” by Jessica Rae, who does a nice job with the song, making it quieter and more personal with just her playing her guitar. The Chicago native was selected as a “Rising Star” for the PBS show Legends & Lyrics. In addition to being very talented, she also works on behalf of several good causes. Check out Rae’s website too.

    [image: public domain via]

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