Billboard described "Driftwood" as a "lush romantic ballad."[1]Cash Box called it "a smooth and spacy ballad about beaching on the shore of life" and also praised the vocal performance.[2]
"Driftwood" was also the final single to feature keyboardist Mike Pinder, who left the band shortly before the completion of Octave for personal reasons. He would later be replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz.
Shortly after release, a promotional video was recorded for "Driftwood." The video features Patrick Moraz on the keyboards, although Mike Pinder is playing the keyboards in the actual recording. The song also includes an alto saxophone which is played by session musician R.A. Martin, although Ray Thomas is depicted playing the alto saxophone in the video.
Personnel
Justin Hayward: vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
The record spent seven weeks on the U.S. Billboard charts and peaked at No. 59.[3] It also reached No. 38 on the Adult Contemporary charts.[4][5] In Canada it reached No. 60.[6]
References
^"Top Single Picks"(PDF). Billboard. September 30, 1978. p. 90. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
