Drift Away
Steppenwolf Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 feelin' the strain…now ain't that a shame

Oh gimme the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in the rock and roll and drift away
Gimme the beat boys and free my soul

I wanna get lost in the rock and roll and drift away

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

Chorus

And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The guitars coming through to soothe me
Thanks for the joy you've given me
I want you to know I believe in song

Rhythm, rhyme and harmony
They've helped me along…they're making me strong

Overall Meaning

The verses in Steppenwolf's song "Drift Away" describe a sense of confusion and frustration with life. The singer is lost and struggling to understand the world around them. They're feeling the strain of trying to make sense of things and trying to win a game they hate to lose, perhaps a metaphor for life itself. However, when the chorus kicks in, the singer begs for the beat to free their soul and wants to get lost in the rock and roll and drift away. This suggests that music is their escape from reality, a way to forget about their problems for a while and just enjoy the rhythms and melodies that move them.

The second verse continues with the theme of confusion and feeling lost, but now the singer admits to feeling like they are wasting time and not understanding the things they do. They describe the world outside as unkind and look to someone else to carry them through. But the chorus comes back in, repeating the idea that the beat can free their soul and allow them to escape through music. The third verse is a thank you to music itself for helping the singer along, for providing joy and strength through rhythm, rhyme, and harmony.

Overall, "Drift Away" is a song about the power of music to soothe the soul and provide an escape from the hardships of life. It speaks to the universal human desire to find a way to cope with confusion and stress, and suggests that sometimes the best solution is to simply let go and let yourself be moved by the beat.

Line by Line Meaning

Day after day I'm more confused
I'm becoming increasingly uncertain and unclear about my thoughts and actions with each passing day

But I look for the light through the pouring rain
Despite the struggles and obstacles I face, I always seek out hope and positivity

You know that's a game that I hate to lose
I despise the feeling of defeat that comes from losing a game or facing a challenge

I'm feelin' the strain…now ain't that a shame
The constant pressure and stress is taking a toll on me and it's unfortunate

Oh gimme the beat boys and free my soul
I crave the rhythm and energy of music to release me from my burdens

I wanna get lost in the rock and roll and drift away
I desire to escape into the world of music and be carried away by its power and emotion

Beginning to think that I'm wasting time
I'm starting to believe that I'm spending my time in a useless or unproductive way

And I don't understand the things I do
I'm confused about my own actions and motivations

The world outside looks so unkind
The state of the world and the people in it seems harsh, unforgiving, and unwelcoming

Now it's up to you…to carry me through
I'm relying on someone or something else to provide support and guidance

And when my mind is free
When I'm not weighed down by my worries and stresses

You know a melody can move me
The power of music can stir my emotions and lift my spirits

And when I'm feelin' blue
When I'm sad or depressed

The guitars coming through to soothe me
The sound of a guitar can provide comfort and calm to ease my pain

Thanks for the joy you've given me
I'm grateful for the happiness and pleasure that music has brought into my life

I want you to know I believe in song
I have faith in the power of music and its ability to heal and inspire

Rhythm, rhyme and harmony
The essential elements of music that work together to create its beauty and impact

They've helped me along…they're making me strong
Music has played a crucial role in my life, providing me with strength and resilience

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WAYNE SHORTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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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

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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