Dobie Gray - Out On The Floor

This is probably the single biggest and most acclaimed Northern Soul record of all time, and we filmed this performance for "The Strange World Of Northern Soul" in Nashville, in early 1999. Dobie is otherwise best known for his 1973 smash "Drift Away". He was a versatile vocalist who could handle soul, country, and pop, not to mention musical theater. Gray's origins are somewhat ill-defined; different sources alternately list his birth name as Leonard Victor Ainsworth or Laurence Darrow Brown, and his Texas birthplace as Brookshire or Simonton. His likely birth date is July 26, 1940 (though some sources list 1942 or 1943). Whatever the case, Gray grew up in a family of sharecroppers, and discovered gospel music through his grandfather, a Baptist minister. He also soaked up the R&B and country music of his surroundings, and in the early '60s he moved to Los Angeles to seek his fortune. Before adopting the name Dobie Gray, he recorded several singles under the names Leonard Ainsworth, Larry Curtis, and Larry Dennis. His seventh single, "Look at Me," became his first chart hit in 1963, but his true breakout was a 1965 recording of "The 'In' Crowd," whose Motown-style bounce distinguished it from jazzman Ramsey Lewis' celebrated version. Gray hit the Top 20 with "The 'In' Crowd" and also had some success with the follow-up, "See You at the Go-Go". "Out On The Floor" was not a hit in the US, and it was only years later that it became a cult classic. This period, spent mostly on the small, poorly distributed Cordak, Charger, and White Whale labels was the most soul-oriented of his career. It would be some time before Gray returned to the charts. In the meantime, he pursued a concurrent acting career, eventually spending two and a half years with the Los Angeles production of Hair. During his Hair years, Gray also sang with the band Pollution, which recorded two albums on Prophecy beginning in 1971. In 1972, Gray resurfaced as a solo artist on MCA, with producer/songwriter Mentor Williams in his camp. Gray promptly scored the biggest hit of his career with the Williams-penned "Drift Away," which hit the Top Five in early 1973 and remains an oldies-radio staple today. The subsequent "Loving Arms," written by Tom Jans, grew into a much-covered repertory item, recorded by singers from the realms of rock, country, and R&B. Gray's own sound was shifting more toward country as well, and when he moved to Capricorn in 1975, he recorded in Nashville with new songwriting collaborator Troy Seals (he eventually relocated there permanently). Gray's popularity in Europe and Africa was growing steadily, and he managed to talk South African authorities into allowing him to play to integrated audiences during the apartheid era. Gray's tenure in Nashville was marked by a commercial downturn, but his increased activity as a songwriter (mostly in a country vein) resulted in covers by the likes of Don Williams, Charley Pride, George Jones, and John Denver, among others. The disco-flavored "You Can Do It" became his final Top 40 hit in 1978, the same year he recorded the first of two LPs for Infinity. When Infinity went bankrupt, Gray concentrated exclusively on songwriting for a few years, then re-emerged on Capitol in the mid-'80s as a full-fledged country artist. He made the lower reaches of the country charts with singles like "That's One to Grow On" and "From Where I Stand," but found it impossible to break through to a wider country audience, and again faded from view after two albums. In 1997, Gray released Diamond Cuts, a mix of new songs and re-recorded past hits. But "Out On The Floor" remains his most beloved soul anthem.

[@tomfinley6400]

I'm 23 year old, a northern lad - Yorkshire. and I couldn't be happier to say my mum brought me up properly! keen memories of her stomping on a Sunday in the kitchen listening to classics whilst cooking, thank god she reflected her amazing taste in such an amazing sound ! on me.. keep the faith ✌...

[@hookalakah]

I have to say--God bless my British brothers and sisters for recognizing what a great soul song this is and bringing it out of the shadows. The Northern Soul movement has revived more good music than anything I can think of in the last 30 years. Too bad you guys couldn't have dropped into Maverick's Flat in '69--you would have been in heaven.

[@IanLevine]

Thankyou. People like you are the reason I go to so much trouble to put them up on here.

[@rowley1950]

Not sure how I got here, started with The Beatles then The Eagles, then the Righteous Brothers - So its Northern Soul then! Put the zimmer frame down, pump up the volume and shaking my tail feathers! love NS

[@vasillis]

+steve FromEngland Similar route for me steve, I start at STAX and end up here ;-)

[@kezzer2]

+steve FromEngland Same here Steve........

[@rowley1950]

+vasillis Stax! Good idea. That's my next target then :)

[@rowley1950]

+Kieran darragh As long as we end up here with NS we're still ok hahahaha

[@kezzer2]

+steve FromEngland Welcome to NS..................glad you arrived.

[@gotobedandtickler]

This is a true Northern soul classic, as memory serves, I believe the British made it a smash through the Northern soul circuit, corect me if I'm wrong Ian but, I believe it was a huge hit in the uk and then the usa, sadly Dobie is no longer with us, we shall never forget his work. Great work Ian, your fans are many !!!

[@robertwilkinson2889]

THE Northern Soul record! Still knocks them for six NOW. Superb!

[@Zephaniah3verse17]

Yeah man! This is the anthem! Keep the faith!

[@clivebyrne2297]

One of the best northern soul classics

[@ledostef]

I also get goosebumps listening to this classic, every single time. Unlike me this never gets old.

[@kenmorriss8471]

The definitive Northern Soul record, I danced the night away quite a few times............out on the floor....

[@angelakavanagh5324]

Ken Morriss

[@muddyfox4x4]

Ahhhhhh ! Harringtons, Fred Perry Shirts,Staypress Trousers,OxBlood loafers, Trying to Practice our dance moves in the Fifth Form Unit at France hill School Surrey,77-78!.........ended up with a twisted ankle and broken wrist....bloody hurt at the time, but hey..rose tinted glasses and all that! Fab Record, Everlasting classic...

[@twitchyfeet]

Keep the faith Mr Gray....beautiful x

[@danstapylton1836]

Janine Walker 2nd that 👍🏻 x

[@hallamhal]

My dad raised me on this brilliant genre of music, I'll inevitably raise my kids on it too ktf

[@deanpotter7438]

Superb northern soul anthem

[@GrimeAndGats]

How can anyone seriously dislike this song?

[@Q123Susie]

wow this song is still fantastic after all these years x

[@ManUtdMrs]

One of the best Northern Soul records ever. Always guaranteed to get people up dancing. Thanks ,Ian.

[@richardwhite5139]

still sounds as good as it did all those years ago!

[@suestevens5398]

Fab tune, such sweet memories dancing to this.

[@sisu6310]

100000000000000000 watts aint loud enough for this classic. n/s just lives in my heart always. hope they play it in heaven

[@kezzer2]

+alan p We will dance to it in heaven . Your shout................

[@sisu6310]

will look out for you. its gonna be LOUD!

[@deanlewis4374]

alan p

[@robertmichailovs1461]

WHENEVER I HEAR THIS IT DOES IT FOR ME. ABSOLUTELY BEAUYTIFUL THEY CAN PLAY IT AT MY FUNERAL. I WILL CLIMB OUTTA THE BOX ROXYROB

[@frankbrammah8639]

Goosebumps instantly 🙂

[@Senppuu502]

My God Memories of Buper spinning to this at the wheel back in 69 unbelievable.

[@rosethornton7647]

Great voice they don't makem like that anymore

[@nigelrtaylor]

I loved this record so many memories. RIP Dobie Gray

[@gillkonradt2864]

Best sound ever.. love dancing around my lounge to this.. Happy days

[@geraldinemeadows1944]

Wicked tune still get up and dance to this, might not be a supple has I used to be but boy I give it my best shot... 💟

[@BigSlinky7]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

[@patrickryan1515]

Very first time hearing "Out On The Floor", but I instantly recognized Dobie Gray's sound. This easily could have been a Top Ten Hit nationwide. Odd how some spectacular music never makes the grade here in America (or elsewhere for that matter). Glad this resurfaced to become a cult classic. 12/2018

[@soultaff]

so proud to be Welsh so proud to be grateful having soul in my heart KTF Northern for ever

[@kevinsmith-ub8gw]

Absolute classic. The beat just makes you move, my feet... ktf.

[@Fazzer57]

Go Dobie go.....still reigning them in and we're all still dancing the souls of our shoes off x x

[@klingonbarbie]

these classics make me feel like a teenager all again (now in my 50's -but still love Northern soul, talma)

[@nickyd1965]

My fav northern soul track of all time ...........

[@angelakavanagh5324]

nickyd1965

[@halcyon289]

This performance moves me so deeply.

[@MudpluggerUK666]

True soul legend owned the record since the day it came out and still play it every week KTF

[@kevinsmith-ub8gw]

Epitomises Northern Soul .. CLASSIC.

[@jean4578]

The In Crowd was the first record I heard by Dobie Gray and I loved it !! I am not a Northern Soul person but I love Soul x

[@claudster43]

prob the most commercial of the northern days but what a classic,. If you can keep off the floor when this comes on ya just have no soul!!

[@tomtom11116]

I was born in 1956and still love it and you can still do now let your feet move

[@geraldhills41]

one of the best vibes of all time!

[@catherineduffy6061]

My Dad loves this song bless him

[@eileenllewellyn7021]

Always one of my favorites. Makes me feel 18 again!

[@rickettroofing]

This is possibly the best disco song ever, f-----g brilliant!!!!

[@jenks008]

Wonderful tune, gets my goosepimples moving, Keep The Faith,,,,

[@groinlard]

This track got me into northern soul. Heard at blackburn mecca alldayer when i was 16 Sssshhh!! I was hooked!! Never looked back since

[@carmenpeters638]

Never a more true word spoken...! Smashing..!!!

[@MegaGenten]

Pure nostalgia! Brought tears to my eyes

[@juliemckinney9650]

just loving listen to pure tunes.Thanks to YOU TUBE!!🎶🎶🎶🎵🎧🎧

[@anstonian]

I remember the mad rush to the dance floor, to this great classic song. Amazing. Sweet as sweet can be, Thanks for posting. Keep the Faith, once a N Soul lover, always a N soul lover. It stays in your heart, and, theres nothing you can do about it but, Recal great, Times, music, when music was music, and Dance Dance Dance. KTF. LOL .

[@osnat057]

the best of the best!!!!!!!!

[@stevendeacy7399]

אסנת ב

[@juliegelding5312]

one off the best northern soul songs

[@lastbus]

Fav at most dance clubs to get foot stomping and hand clapping underway. Thanks for sharing

[@blondstamonsta]

1st track played at them soul nights ..thanku for takin me back ~~cos hey hey hey we all got our kicks out on the floor :)

[@latinahoney123]

He still brings it after all these yrs! He still has a good voice imagine that? WTG Dobie!

[@ianblanchard45]

you can,t get alot better than this can ya ,,,,,,classic

[@gillwilson8129]

Love Dobie Gray's music and love this song. A classic. I dedicated it to my darling husband. xx

[@chokdeemaak]

an all time classic still gets me moving today

[@Pulsonar]

This song just grows and grows, didnt get me first time I heard it, but it dances into your head looking for somewhere to nest forever! A really great feel-good, free-spirited song.

[@caroltaylor-cockayne2092]

super awesome song will last forever

[@TheFatmonty]

thank you!

[@kezzer2]

Been looking for this for ages....good find...Classic NS tune...everyone dances to it!! Timeless!

[@alandobbin9792]

This is brilliant,

[@benskelding3794]

Have to dance when this comes on , its just the best dance tune

[@grahamhitchen5780]

superb northern soul dance song

[@Connorlowwhistle]

mann i love this song come everyone get your soul kicks out on that floor !!!

[@footyfan65]

cracking dance tune ,one of the all time great songs that you just have to dance to

[@kezzer2]

Your out with the lads,Lancs,you walk in the joint,get a pint of the best bitter in the world and Dobie is banging out !!!!!!! Best times................the chicks are out of sight!!

[@Humanbeing-fv3yt]

to true brother. !!!!

[@suzyabc]

just love this

[@GlasgowGallus]

Absolutely joyous...

[@deborahcorthorn8727]

love this music.....

[@neilmarlow65]

Ive got this on red 12" vinyl. A true classic

[@jimstevenson8000]

no youve not.

[@neilmarlow65]

***** yes i have

[@door2yourheart]

Top track! Just me.....here......watching......listening, and loving it! Thanks Ian!

[@MrNodrog1954]

classic dance music , even gets may feet going now ,

[@welsba]

RIP Dobie! All the best up there, from Wigan x

[@jazzsaxboy]

Wasn't really a Northern Soul Fan, never made it to Wigan Casino, although I know that I missed out on some good times, but I always loved this song. Pity you can't turn back time.

[@colinratford416]

massive dance tune!.....

[@michaeljenner3361]

Blackpool Mecca good times never forgotten it lives on KTFAITH

[@kezzer2]

I was there mate,good times. x

[@jilhal24]

I met a guy from Brighton a while ago. I confused it with Blackpool and I started describing the ugly tower and hideous beaches. He corrected me immediately. I don't get it. It's all the same to my American ears. :/

[@globaltvandmovies4905]

Great, great song. Big Thumbs up from Global TV and Movies Superb!

[@hookalakah]

As with Bobby Sheen's "Dr. Love," "The 81" by Candy & the Kisses, and The Orlons' "Envy," our British brothers and sisters in soul took a '60s soul gem and gave it a second life--far bigger than it's original airing--and turned many people on to it on BOTH sides of the Atlantic. Bless them for that.

[@tecaz60]

one of my all time fave

[@lilli969]

An absolute classic "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@baileyvernon5436]

Makes me think of them Saturday nights you spend at the pub with ur mates... Classic

[@mrtoptenatten]

the very best music ever made..KTF

[@garyjohnmaddison6245]

Heart never pounded so much than when getting kicks out on the Floor 😊

[@domtemp95]

RIP Dobie Gray!

[@olliewtf]

God bless this man, rest in peace Dobie!!

[@bruceremnant1111]

what a song

[@angelakavanagh5324]

Bruce Remnant

[@Vicki-stfc]

This song was very popular at the discos I used to go back in the 1980's

[@fitzgeraldparchment4480]

northern soul baby

[@orsonkaart1853]

One of the very best!

[@stevenstewardson4829]

Stripevince1 I agree with you putting the thumbs down there off there faces this was one of my first records I ever bought Ktf to everyone Connected to the massive soul scene ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

[@trevorlaidler5817]

first class song

[@gotobedandtickler]

This was a true northern soul floor filler, ironic how it was a hit in the uk and not the usa, I saw this performed by Dobie in stockport.(poco poco club)

[@tad2229]

Luv this music

[@mickandlorein]

Brilliant song

[@waynechalk3069]

cant stop dancing to this however old realy miss the casino, keep the faith

[@tommydoing50]

simply the best

[@claireeccy1155]

Amazin Voice Amazin song hooked for life x

[@24243250]

What great times were had listening and dancing to N S,KTF you out there.

[@frankgoodall6885]

Loving this gem...Toe dancing at the ready. XX :)