John Kay was born Joachim Krauledat in Germany but changed his name when he… Read Full Bio ↴John Kay was born Joachim Krauledat in Germany but changed his name when he emigrated to Canada. As a singer, songwriter and guitarist, he is best known as the frontman of Steppenwolf.

Blues, rock, protest songs all have come from his pen as a writer, and his solo albums reflect his eclectic musical influences such as Patrick Sky.

Drift Away
John Kay Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Give me the beat, boys
Give me the beat, boys

Day after day I'm more confused
But I look for the light through the pouring rain
You know, that's a game that I hate to lose
I'm feeling the strain, ain't it a shame?

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

I'm beginning to think that I'm wasting time
And I don't understand the things I do
Yeah, the world outside looks so unkind
Now it's up to you to carry me through

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

And when my mind is free
You know, the melody can move me
And when I'm feeling blue
The guitar's coming through to soothe me, yeah

Thanks for the joy you've given me
I want you to know that I believe in the song
The rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You help me along, you're making me strong

Give me the beat, boys
Give me the beat, boys, come on

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

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

Give me the beat, boys

Overall Meaning

In John Kay's song "Drift Away," the singer is expressing his desire to escape from the confusing and harsh realities of life by getting lost in the beat of rock and roll. He feels the strain of trying to navigate a world that seems unkind, and is beginning to think that he is wasting his time. However, he finds solace in the music that can move him and soothe him when he is feeling blue. He thanks the musicians for the joy they have given him and for helping him to feel strong.

The lyrics of "Drift Away" are about escapism and the power of music to transport us to a different state of mind. The singer is struggling to make sense of the world and find his place in it, but he knows that he can always find refuge in the beat of rock and roll. The song is both a tribute to the musicians who create this music and a celebration of the transformative power of music itself.

In some ways, "Drift Away" has become a symbol of this power, as it has been covered by countless other musicians and used in various movies and TV shows as a soundtrack for moments of transformation or catharsis. Its message of hope and escape resonates with people across generations and continues to inspire new listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

Give me the beat, boys
Asking for the rhythm of the music to begin

Day after day I'm more confused
Feeling lost and unsure about life as time goes on

But I look for the light through the pouring rain
Trying to find positivity and hope even in the midst of difficult times

You know, that's a game that I hate to lose
Disliking the feeling of failure or defeat in the search for happiness

I'm feeling the strain, ain't it a shame?
Experiencing stress and sadness, wishing it wasn't the case

Give me the beat, boys and free my soul
Requesting the music to take over and allow for escape from negative emotions

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Wanting to lose oneself in the music and be carried away by the sound

I'm beginning to think that I'm wasting time
Questioning the value and purpose of one's actions and choices

And I don't understand the things I do
Confused about one's own behavior and motivations

Yeah, the world outside looks so unkind
Observing a harsh and unforgiving reality outside of one's own thoughts and feelings

Now it's up to you to carry me through
Reliant on the music and its ability to lift spirits and provide comfort

And when my mind is free
During moments of mental clarity and calm

You know, the melody can move me
Recognizing the power of music to stir up emotions and have a physical effect on the body

And when I'm feeling blue
During times of sadness and depression

The guitar's coming through to soothe me, yeah
Acknowledging the ability of the guitar to provide comfort and relief during difficult times

Thanks for the joy you've given me
Expressing gratitude towards the music and those who created it for bringing happiness into one's life

I want you to know that I believe in the song
Having faith in the power of music to inspire and motivate

The rhythm and rhyme and harmony
Appreciating the interplay of the different elements of music

You help me along, you're making me strong
Recognizing the role of music in providing strength and support during trying times

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Warren Williams, Heidi Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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01Drift Away

John Kay

02Born to Be Wild3:28

03It's Never Too Late2:59

08Magic Carpet Ride2:43

09The Pusher5:51

10Sookie Sookie3:13

11Jupiter's Child3:22

12Screaming Night Hog3:16

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@victorramirez2120

6y↑1

Day after day I'm more confused
But I look for the light through the pouring rain
You know, that's a game that I hate to lose
I'm feeling the strain, ain't it a shame?

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

I'm beginning to think that I'm wasting time
And I don't understand the things I do
Yeah, the world outside looks so unkind
Now it's up to you to carry me through

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

And when my mind is free
You know, the melody can move me
And when I'm feeling blue
The guitar's coming through to soothe me, yeah

Thanks for the joy you've given me
I want you to know that I believe in the song
The rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You help me along, you're making me strong

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

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

All comments from YouTube:

@patsy5294

8y↑44

I never really realized what a great voice John Kay had. I knew I loved the sound of Magic Carpet Ride, Born To Be Wild, etc., but I never really listened to him sing like this. His voice manages to be scratchy and rough, but tender and emotional at the same time. Love it!

@LukasFin

7y↑4

I think the thing is, that he means, what he sings.

@saveourrivers

3y↑1

His voice improved as he got older.

@ericjablonski8838

4y↑4

Tremendous voice, tremendous human being.

@graemepadgett8467

5y↑6

Brilliant version 🎸🎼👍👏👏👏👏👏🤠

@dianaallison6110

4y↑4

Love this version by John Kay..so mellow & smooth. Just awesome 🙂🙂💕💕

@brianhobbs104

7y↑10

John Kay has a terrific voice for singing all sorts of music. But ballads bring out the best in him, I think.

@emenem6131

52w

Great voice

@alexarko6234

Good rendition of this song. Tribute the song that SOOO many covered it!

@juancarlosmoyagutierrez2666

Buena. La mejor versión.
Gracias.

@ElronHumpperdink

3y↑2

This song is so good that it doesn’t matter if Dobie Gray, John Kay, Uncle Kracker, me, you, etc... anyone, signs it... it will always sound and feel good.

@tonitransports8557

4y↑1

Bon cantant i ben acompanyat, la millor versió./Good singer and good musicians, best version.

@thelastrebelshow1627

8y↑11

I have listened to John Kay and Steppenwolf since 1968 when I was in third grade. The best!

@donovan6676

6y↑8

Love this Voice!!!

@reynolds183tn

13y↑12

STEPPENWOLF is not in the Rock Hall of Fame? What the $%#? They were rock in the mid 60's. They were the shit. The best. The very best.........magic carpet, born to be, tenderness, snowblind, all are classic songs.

@feedbak007

6y↑4

Agree completely Gary, they were the first band to write an anti-drug song, and the only one to write about escaping from the Soviet Union. "Renegade" And they introduced the term "Heavy Metal" to to Rock n Roll (should be inducted just for that)

@edtrembicki-guy993

4y↑1

They were trailblazers, in a class of their own. They don't need no hall. They'd probably agree with Groucho Marx, “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.”

@daneoriatti5009

I love this a lot!

@bulchit48

11y↑6

Great version !!

@hickokhaley

5y↑1

Love this song. Good musical arrangement too.

@reuireuiop0

5y↑2

Shame the company didn't realize they had pure gold at their hands.
Though Kay's version kinda misses the beat that propelled Dobie to the top five, this one would have fared well for country oriented audience. Emotion runs deep here

@Pray2Jah

Dumb ass record company wanted him to complete an album before releasing the singlet

@wolffan44

9y↑14

THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SONG, WISH IT WAS IN VIDEO FORM. LOVE JOHN KAY SOLO SONGS, ALL OF THEM

@NoRosesForMe

12y↑12

omg YES! thank youuu! Steppenwolf 7 was the first album of theirs I ever got. My very first. I still have it to this day. People should sit and listen to that and just try to think. Just think. Ya know? Its brilliant and beyond words. ~"jen"

@victorramirez2120

6y↑1

@straycat4979

5y↑4

thanks john for the good songs,,you are the best

@patrickward8144

Soooooooperb and so smooooooth! I have every Steppenwolf album from 1967 onwards and ann JK's solo albums. What a voice!

@ritahall2378

I love everything about John Kay Everything ❤

@victorramirez2120

6y↑7

Best version!!!

@meledada100

13y↑6

nothing like a good steppenwolf before going to bed, or any other time in the day

@mikeernest1764

Exactly ! Before bed or just waking up ! Best way for sure

@michaelcrockette8694

the beauty of music is that so many people can hear the same song in different versions and have all different opinions of which is best and Kay’s and Kurtz’ version are very good but without Grays version this song would b unknown 2 millions of people.

@alexreisprodvideos

Its a great version by the big John kay!!Thanks

@TheRonpower

11y↑12

Best Version EVER !!!!!!

@JKay5phD

11y↑6

Coolest thing ever sharing a name with this guy!

@cliffordparmeter6940

9y↑23

What can I say its John Kay... My favourite singer...........

@maximusquavius2453

7y↑2

I heard somewhere that John Kay aspired to have a vocal style and voice as smooth at Roy Orbison, and George Thorogood felt the same way about John Kay's voice.

@blondwiththewind

12y↑2

Wonderful....Soothing. :-)

@andersonbranco58

Imagine hearing that on vinil 😍😍😍

@lionandlamb3

7y↑7

Never heard this one from him. <3 John.

@WYNDRYDYR

4y↑2

Every day , I need my fix of “the Wolf” or I get all bent out of shape. Best damned music ever !!!

@martacecilianovoventurino748

I love his real norteamerican voice...a genuine american guy ¡..bravo¡¡¡..

@jamesdniederstadt5861

SO AWESOME.😍🤩🥰😇

@STRUMMERBOY1975

13y↑2

First time i hear this by John......Great...

@Jaialai55

13y↑3

For all of your info... John Kay wanted to make this song 1 year before Dobi Gray recorded it and made it famous with his recording. The producer didn't want it done.

@lesschoenberger3070

5y↑1

John actually had it recorded but ABC Dunhill screwed around and didn't release it because they were more interested in Three Dog Night at the time so Kay lost out! This could've set him on the path to a successful solo career instead of only being linked to Steppenwolf which isn't a bad thing but I'm sure he would've liked some solo success and his solo work is all outstanding!!

@HeartoftheDragonColo

5y↑1

My Sportin' Life is a good album and worth checking out further.

@Grant_Miller

11y

thumbs up - true that. I was being a bit facetious there, too. It is surprising, considering their hits & enduring popularity. Great band.

@uradragon

13y↑1

"My Sportin Life" is a good album, used to own it if I recollect. Listen to "Easy Evil" for some good listening as well. thanks for posting.

@analyzingfunny

13y

Damn!!! This makes like 7 originals that I did not know about now thanks to youtube, One that is worth checking into the orginal The Gambler and the orginal country hit Rose Garden.

@stevescrews447

My altime favorite singer period.

@angelosecreto5464

8y↑13

The perfect male voice vocals, crime he and Steppenwolf are not in the RARHF, not that it matters to JK, they wrote to many non political correct songs, a form of censorship against Heavy Metal thunder, rock on 4 ever.

@wolffan44

9y↑33

HAVE BEEN SCANNING THE YOU TUBE ON THIS SONG. LOTS OF VERSIONS, BUT JOHN KAY HAS THE BEST VERSION OF ALL.

@paulkeech3787

8y↑6

+Connie Wright This was actually recorded before Dobie Grays version. ABC/Dunhill wouldn't release it as a single and waited for his album. Too bad or this would have been the version we all listen too.

@geohaber1

Yes. I thought Doby Grey just killed this song......until I heard this..........my god.

@michaelbouchard550

The record companies would not release John Kay version of this song because he refused to put Steppenwolf back together. That screwed him over

@Pray2Jah

7y↑6

Beautiful recording Michael Utley on keyboard....years before joining some guy named Jimmy Buffets band

@jillchapple5268

An oldie but goodie

@davidpike8033

4y↑1

Good version, however Dobie Gray version wins hands down

@smashfoley7210

They deleted this song off of Spotify glad it's here thank you

@ChrisCurtisFan

14y

@9erfandex --- hey buddy! I love this song -- always have. I DO LOVE THE MESSAGE!!!! Is it not the truth! ?? There is nothing like music to soothe my soul -- every time! Thanks for sending it to me. Straight to my 70's list -- thank you mkas41 for posting it and freeing my soul for a bit! :-))

@CommodoreFluffy

12y↑4

Meh, I'm pretty sure John Kay is chill enough to not really mind that all too much.

@jennafriedman919

He is and play acoustic Delta Blues, unfortunately he has trouble with his vision. I saw him in a songwriter round at the Bluebird Cafe about 2000

@SteveOfTheMountains

I never knew this was the SteppenWolf guy

@GalaxiBabes

11y

He threatened to shoot the joint up :) Love ya Ted

@martinstremlow2997

I wanna get lost in the rocknroll and drift awaaaey!

@ladyrcursed666

8y↑5

Sweet x

@graemepadgett8467

How come people are saying John Henry Kurtz wrote this song You lot telling me Mentor lied ??? Doubt that very much 🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🎸🎼🏇🤠

@kalicokids

11y

Donna summer is still not in the Rock Hall of Fame and the beastie boys are , go figure , it's a buddy buddy system...

@edmccann9238

DOBIE GRAY FIRST, BUT I BELIEVE THIS BEST

@softfocus87

Listen to Michael Philip Jagger sing this song.

@barryhunt8527

Dobie Gray did that best 🤪

@dagnabbit6187

5y↑2

Barry Hunt Yeah but John did very well on this . I would have thought his voice wouldn't be able to do ti but his baritone is very flexible.

@johnhayden772

And that Alexa Echo Dot that you talk to in your home does not have it either. Jeez.

@Grant_Miller

11y

Probably because it's a Canadian band.

@RexApplegate

John escaped commie controlled Germany as a kid and moved to the USA.

@Pashasmom1

Some songs just need to be left alone. This is one of them. Dobie Gray is the only one who can sing this.

@ericjablonski8838

Ahh, Bunni, you are so wrong about this.

@mcleanartists

Ha ha ha ha haaaa

@lallawmzualafanai7838

6y↑1

2018?

@rf8479

The Rolling Stones is way better than this and perhaps better than Dobie .

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