Drifter in the Dark

"Drifter in the Dark" is a song by Ween from the 1994 album Chocolate and Cheese.

Song Details

Recording and Composition

"Drifter in the Dark" revolves entirely around two acoustic guitar chords, G and D. Due to slight tape speed manipulation, the guitar and harmonica solo are slightly but noticeably detuned.

The inspiration for this song came after Dean Ween introduced Gene Ween to the music of the country singer Roger Miller. Gene conceived the idea for the song during "a late-night walk around Lambertville, New Jersey one summer's eve."

The lead vocal is sung by Gene. The harmonica solo is likely by Gene Ween, who typically plays it live.

Live Performances

"Drifter in the Dark" was introduced in a performance in September 1993 near the end of the DAT-deck era, where Dean Ween introduces it as "brand new". Nearly a year later, Ween began playing the song frequently with the live band on the Chocolate and Cheese tour. In later years, they continued to play it typically at least a few times per year. Perhaps surprisingly (due to the song's country style), it was not played at all during the 1996 country tour.

Gene Ween has occasionally played it during solo performances.

Lyrics

Official lyrics were printed in the Chocolate and Cheese liner notes:

Do you ever walk alone
Like a drifter in the dark
Seeking out what isn't there
Looking only for a spark

From a girl who's all alone
Maybe she's a-driftin' too
Like a shadow in the night
Waitin' just to meet with you

And then perhaps in love you'll stay
Or fall and go your separate ways
Still searchin' for a spark
Like a drifter in the dark

Song Themes

Love, Sung by Gene Ween, Tape Speed Manipulation