I was 12 years old in 1973 when Dobie Gray released his hit song "Drift Away". My older brother was 25, and he would sing this song constantly.  However, little did I know then that the way he sang the refrain was not the way it actually went.

My brother's misheard version:

Oh, give me the beat boys

and free my soul

I wanna get lost

in your donut hole

and drift away

The actual lyrics:

Oh, give me the beat boys

and free my soul

I wanna get lost

in your rock and roll

and drift away

Rock and roll became donut hole in my brother's mind and ears. I had always wondered why someone would want to get lost in a donut hole. It was years before I knew what the real lyrics to the song were. I"Drift Away" is an awesome song. It was written by Mentor Williams (songwriter Paul Williams' brother), and made famous by Dobie Gray in 1973. Since then,  "Drift Away" has been covered by numerous artists in different music genres. Some covers have been done by Waylon Jennings, the Doobie Brothers, Michael Bolton and Roy Orbison. The most recent cover (2004) is sung by Uncle Kracker. Even though Dobie Gray made the song a hit, he was not the first person to record it. "Drift Away" was originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz in 1972, but the song was not a hit.

Complete lyrics to "Drift Away"

Day after day I'm more confused
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
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
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

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