Drift Away

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

Lyrics By Mentor Williams, Originally performed by Dobie Gray

I have heard this song played on the radio hundreds of times.  I never tire of hearing it.  Whenever I hear the chords of that first lyric line, I am hooked.  Day after day I’m more confused. 

I shouldn’t be surprised.  Life, our lives together here in the Fox River Valley, and beyond to the entire country, East Coast New York, West to Arizona and all the way to California, is incomprehensibly complex.  I  just hang on.  Given the complexity, work must be done to better understand, so that I may act and live appropriately.  I resist giving in to my confusion.  I go on because this is a game that I hate to lose.

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

And I’m countin’ on you
To carry me through

The song was written in 1970, and was soul singer Dobie Gray’s biggest hit in 1973.  Dobie Gray even now sets the standard for performing this song, in my opinion.  Here is a much loved cover by Uncle Kracker.  The setting of the video is compelling: an auto repair garage, with a tire changing machine.