Steve Miller (born 5 October 1943) is a blues and rock and roll guitarist and performer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but attended high school in Dallas. While at St. Mark's School of Texas, he formed his first band, The Marksmen. Miller taught one of his classmates, Royce Boz Scaggs, a few guitar chords so that he could join the band; Scaggs became better known by his nickname, Boz. Miller attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the 1960s, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year. Ben Sidran was added to the Ardells as a keyboardist the following year.
In 1968, Miller formed the Steve Miller Band, with Scaggs handling vocals, and released an album, Children of the Future, the first in a series of discs rooted solidly in the psychedelic blues style that dominated the San Francisco music scene at the time. Scaggs would leave the band after a couple of albums with vocal chores taken over by drummer Tim Davis; Miller himself would begin singing occasional lead on 1969's Brave New World. These albums performed respectably on the album charts but failed to yield a hit.
In the 1970's the band had some hits that became classics over the years - Jet Airliner, with some evocative lyrics that brought home the loss of life on the road; and The Joker which includes the famous line about the "pompatus of love", which is of course nonsense, but that didn't stop a lot of stoned folks from spending years talking amongst themselves.
Steve Miller's father was a wealthy doctor in Dallas, and friends with famous guitarist and guitar designer Les Paul. Les Paul gave Miller his first guitar lessons.
Longtime member Norton Buffalo (harmonica player) died from lung cancer on October 30, 2009.
John King (drummer during "The Joker" era) died after a short bout of kidney cancer on October 26, 2010.
Band-member James Cooke died from cancer on 16 May 2011.
Driftin' Blues
Steve Miller Band Lyrics
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Just like a ship out on the sea
I'm drifting and drifting
Just like a ship out on the sea
As I ain't got nobody in this
World to care for me
If my baby would only take me back again
If my baby
I would feel much better and at
Least I'd have a friend
I'm drifting and drifting
Just like a ship out on the sea
Drifting and drifting
Just like a ship out on the sea
'Cause I ain't got nobody in this
World to care for me, oh no
The lyrics of Steve Miller Band's song "Driftin' Blues" paint a picture of a sense of loneliness and aimlessness in the singer's life. The repeated refrain of "drifting and drifting, just like a ship out on the sea" creates a strong imagery of being adrift and without direction, much like a ship at sea without a destination or anchor. This feeling of drifting can symbolize a lack of purpose or belonging, as the singer navigates through life's challenges without a clear path to follow.
The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing for connection and companionship, as the singer laments not having anybody in the world to care for them. The repeated mention of not having anyone to care for them highlights a profound sense of isolation and the need for emotional support. The desire for someone to take them back again, presumably a lost love or friend, reflects a yearning for reconciliation and a return to a sense of belonging and security.
The mention of the singer's "baby" throughout the lyrics adds a layer of personal attachment and emotional depth to the narrative. The longing for their baby to take them back again suggests a yearning for a close relationship or a source of comfort and solace. The idea that reuniting with their baby would make them feel much better and provide them with a friend emphasizes the importance of human connection and relationships in overcoming feelings of loneliness and desolation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Driftin' Blues" capture the universal themes of loneliness, longing, and the search for emotional fulfillment. Through vivid imagery and poignant expressions of yearning, the song conveys a powerful message about the human experience of drifting through life without a sense of purpose or belonging, and the profound impact that meaningful relationships and connections can have on one's sense of well-being and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Drifting and drifting
Continuously moving without direction or purpose
Just like a ship out on the sea
Feeling lost and alone in a vast and unpredictable environment
I'm drifting and drifting
Continuously feeling disconnected and isolated
Just like a ship out on the sea
Similar to a vessel adrift in a vast, uncharted expanse
As I ain't got nobody in this
Because I have no one in this world
World to care for me
To show me love and support
If my baby would only take me back again
If my significant other would reconcile with me
If my baby
Referring to a romantic partner or loved one
If my baby would only take me back again
If my partner would forgive me and give me another chance
I would feel much better and at
I would experience relief and comfort
Least I'd have a friend
At the very least, I would have someone by my side
Just like a ship out on the sea
Feeling adrift and lost in the vastness of life
Drifting and drifting
Continuously feeling aimless and disconnected
Just like a ship out on the sea
Similar to a vessel wandering through the uncertainty of existence
'Cause I ain't got nobody in this
Because I lack companionship in this world
World to care for me, oh no
No one to provide me with love and support, unfortunately
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Mose Brown, Edward E Williams, Johnny Dudley Moore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind