Born in Valdosta, Georgia, and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Royal became a local star at the Bamboo Ranch in Savannah in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for the 1965 US Top 10 pop hit "Down in the Boondocks", which, along with the singles "I Knew You When" (Top 20, 1965) and "Hush" (1967), were written and produced by Joe South. Another South composition, "Yo-Yo," just missed the top 40 in Canada and charted poorly in the U.S. when Royal released it in 1967, but a later remake by The Osmonds was a much greater success. His 1969 single, "Cherry Hill Park", peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the 1970s his recording of "Heart's Desire" gained popularity among Northern soul enthusiasts and was regularly played in Northern soul nightclubs.
During the 1980s, Royal had a successful comeback with several Top 10 country hits, including "Tell It Like It Is", "Burned Like a Rocket", and "I'll Pin a Note on Your Pillow".
Royal's career experienced a second major period during the 2000s due to regular airplay on "oldies" radio stations. His music was further exposed to younger generations through a movement known as The Beat Army, an online music forum based on Facebook which is operated by author and music producer Paul Collins. Royal continued to tour regularly, performing concerts at casinos, music festivals and clubs in Canada, the United States, Japan and throughout Europe. His set lists include a mixture of songs representing multiple genres from the 1960s to the present.
Royal played Robert Ally in the indie Western film Billy the Kid (2013), co-starring country singer Cody McCarver.
Royal died in his sleep on October 6, 2015 in Morehead City, North Carolina.
Drift Away
Billy Joe Royal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I look for the light in the pouring rain
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
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
Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time
I don't understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
I'm countin' on you to carry me through
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
Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You help me along makin' me strong
The song "Drift Away" by Billy Joe Royal talks about the struggle of feeling confused and lost but turning to music to find solace and comfort. The singer in the song is dealing with the daily struggle of feeling confused and not understanding the things happening around him. He feels the strain of this confusion and is looking for a way to escape the feeling. He turns to music, specifically rock and roll, as a way to get lost and drift away from his problems.
The chorus of the song, "Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul, I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away," is a plea to the musicians to play their music and let him forget about his worries for a while. He knows that music has the power to move him and soothe him when he needs it most. He thanks the musicians for the joy they've given him and acknowledges the power of their song to help him become stronger.
Overall, the lyrics in "Drift Away" highlight the importance of music in helping people cope with the struggles they face in life. It shows how music can provide an escape and a sense of comfort when everything else seems confusing and overwhelming.
Line by Line Meaning
Day after day I'm more confused
Every day I feel more lost and unsure of things
So I look for the light in the pouring rain
Despite feeling lost, I search for hope in difficult situations
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
Trying to find hope is important to me and I'm afraid of losing this game
I'm feelin' the strain, ain't it a shame
The struggle to find hope is causing me stress and disappointment
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I turn to music as a way to escape and find peace
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
I want to get lost in the music and forget my worries
Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time
I'm starting to doubt the value of what I'm doing
I don't understand the things I do
I'm confused about my own actions
The world outside looks so unkind
The world feels harsh and unforgiving
I'm countin' on you to carry me through
I'm relying on music and its creators to help me through tough times
And when my mind is free
During moments of clarity
You know a melody can move me
Music has the power to emotionally affect me
And when I'm feelin' blue
When I'm feeling down or depressed
The guitar's comin' through to soothe me
The sound of a guitar can comfort and calm me
Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I'm grateful for the happiness and hope music brings me
I want you to know I believe in your song
I have faith in the power of music to bring joy and hope
Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
The combination of music elements
You help me along makin' me strong
Music provides emotional support and gives me strength
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mentor R. Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind