The band split in 1977 and reunited in 1980, splitting again in 1983. Since reuniting in 1996 they have remained active, although Farner left the band in 1999. The group currently consists of Max Carl (vocals), Bruce Kulick (guitar), Mel Schacher (bass), Tim Cashion (keyboards), and Don Brewer (drums, vocals).
Despite their name, their music is far from the style known as "funk"; the name "Grand Funk Railroad" is a play on Michigan's "Grand Trunk Western Railroad" line, and it was chosen before "funk" had become the name of a music genre. In 1968, suburban Michigan teens Don Brewer and Mark Farner quit Terry Knight and The Pack and recruited ? and The Mysterians bass player Mel Schacher to form a power trio inspired by contemporary rock n roll.
Early in their career, they headlined a much hyped free concert in Hyde Park, wowing the audience whilst being virtually unknown in the U.K. They also opened for Led Zeppelin in Michigan, their home state. Originally produced and managed by former band leader Terry Knight who brought the group to Capitol records in 1969, they split from Knight in 1972 after money issues left the group nearly bankrupt despite massive commercial success which began after an successful appearance at the Atlanta Pop Festival.
After releasing 12 albums on Capitol (10 platinum), they intend for their final release to be Born To Die in 1975. They actually reunited & recorded one last effort in 1976 with Frank Zappa called "Good Singin' Good Playin' " and then called it quits.
Farner released two solo albums, Mel & Don recorded as Flint with Craig before Craig joined [aritst]Bob Seger's band. In 1981 Mark Farner & Don reformed the band without Mel and released a song on the animated Heavy Metal soundtrack and new album Grand Funk Lives. They toured until 1983.
In 1996 all three original members reunited for a summer tour in which they played to over 250,000 people, and a slate of Bosnian relief dates in 1997 including several TV performances. In 1998 they did a 65+ date tour listed as one of the 10 top grossing tours of the year. In 1999 Capitol issued a 3 disc box set called "Thirty Years Of Funk" 1969-1999, including recent recordings made in 1997.
Original Grand Funk Railroad members Don & Mel still tour and write new material to this day although the group have seen various line up changes, including the absence of original lead singer Mark Farner. Mark is active with his New band Nr'G. They have released 3 CD's since 1999 with For The People released in 2006.
Studio Albums:
* On Time (1969)
* Grand Funk (The Red Album) (1969)
* Closer to Home (1970)
* Survival (1971)
* E Pluribus Funk (1971)
* Phoenix (1972)
* We're an American Band (1973)
* Shinin' On (1974)
* Monumental Funk (1974)
* All the Girls in the World Beware!!! (1974)
* Born to Die (1976)
* Good Singin', Good Playin' (1976)
* Grand Funk Lives (1981)
* What's Funk? (1983)
Live albums:
* Live Album (1970)
* Caught in the Act (1975)
* Bosnia (1997)
* Thirty Years of Funk: 1969-1999 (1999)
* Live: The 1971 Tour (2002)
Compilations:
1972 Mark, Don & Mel: 1969–71
1976 Grand Funk Hits
1990 The Best of Grand Funk
1991 Capitol Collectors Series
1992 Heavy Hitters!
1999 Thirty Years of Funk: 1969-1999
2002 Classic Masters
2006 Greatest Hits
Are You Ready?
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you ready? You can trust me all the way.
Are you ready? Well, then let me hear you say
That you're ready, and the world will know it's right.
Yes, you're ready, and you know it's out of sight.
Now you're ready, well, then what you waitin' for?
If you're ready, you just open up your door
'Cause I'm ready, for everything you got.
Yes, I'm ready, come and get it while it's hot.
The lyrics of Grand Funk Railroad's song "Are You Ready" suggest the excitement that the singer feels from having found someone who is "ready" to take on the world with him. The first few lines of the lyrics ask the question "Are you ready?" as if to ensure that whoever the singer is addressing is ready to take on whatever the world throws their way - a seemingly daunting task. However, the singer follows this question up with a declaration that the person can trust him all the way, setting the tone for the rest of the song.
The chorus is a call-and-response type of interaction between the singer and the addressee. The singer prompts the person with the question "Are you ready?" to which they answer in the affirmative by saying "Yes, I'm ready". The lines following this exchange express the joint readiness of both the singer and the addressee - "the world will know it's right" and "you know it's out of sight".
The subsequent stanzas of the lyrics emphasize the urgency of the moment, stating that if the person is ready, they should not wait any longer and should "just open up your door" to let the singer in. The singer then declares that he is "ready" for whatever the person has to offer and encourages them to "come and get it while it's hot". Overall, the lyrics suggest the eagerness of the singer to take on the world with someone he deems to be up for the challenge.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you ready? You can trust me all the way.
Asking if you are prepared to give your full trust to me.
Are you ready? Well, then let me hear you say
Confirming that you are prepared and asking you to vocalize it.
That you're ready, and the world will know it's right.
Acknowledging that once you confirm your readiness, the world will understand it is the correct decision.
Yes, you're ready, and you know it's out of sight.
Affirming that you are, indeed, ready and it will be amazing.
Now you're ready, well, then what you waitin' for?
Reminding you that you have confirmed your readiness and encouraging you to proceed accordingly.
If you're ready, you just open up your door
Suggesting that if you are prepared, you should go ahead and welcome new opportunities and experiences.
'Cause I'm ready, for everything you got.
Claiming that the singer is prepared for whatever you have to offer.
Yes, I'm ready, come and get it while it's hot.
Asserting that the artist is indeed prepared, inviting you to take advantage of their readiness now.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK FARNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind