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: 1969โ71
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
Black Licorice
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You there, comin' up the stair, the feelin' is ice-blue cold.
Shake, it's more than I can take, I'm startin' to lose control.
Watch out, what's that noise, there's somebody at the door.
It must be black licorice, she come back to make me cry some more.
Licorice, licorice.
She's got evil in her eyes, and catnip is her taste.
Licorice, licorice.
She wraps me up in her slender legs, her hot black skin to mine.
Licorice, licorice.
Ple ... ple ...please, don't touch me, oh, I know I'm dead this time.
Oh, oh, yeah ... licorice, yeah, black licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, yeah, black licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, black licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, yeah, black licorice.
Licorice.
Licorice.
Licorice.
Licorice.
Licorice, yeah, black licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, yeah, black licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, licorice, black licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, woah, black licorice.
The song "Black Licorice" by Grand Funk Railroad is a dark and enticing tune that tells the story of a man who is haunted by the memory of a woman named Black Licorice. The opening lines set the tone for the song as the singer experiences a sudden feeling of coldness around him, giving the impression that something sinister is about to happen. The lyrics convey a sense of fear and unease as the presence of Black Licorice looms over him and he struggles to maintain control.
The chorus focuses on the allure of Black Licorice, with the repetition of the phrase "Licorice, licorice" creating a hypnotic effect that draws the listener in. The singer is both drawn to and repulsed by Black Licorice, with her "evil eyes" and "hot black skin" proving irresistible yet threatening. The repeated pleas of "ple...ple...please, don't touch me" suggest a relationship that is full of passion but ultimately destructive.
Overall, "Black Licorice" is a haunting and atmospheric song that captures the fear and attraction that can come with a toxic relationship. The hypnotic melody and repetitive lyrics create a sense of unease that lingers long after the song has finished.
Line by Line Meaning
You there, comin' up the stair, the feelin' is ice-blue cold.
As someone ascends the stairs, the singer is overcome with a sense of cold dread.
Shake, it's more than I can take, I'm startin' to lose control.
The singer's fear is becoming overwhelming and he feels as though he's starting to lose his mind.
Watch out, what's that noise, there's somebody at the door.
A mysterious noise draws the singer's attention to the door.
It must be Black Licorice, she come back to make me cry some more.
The singer believes that the person at the door is Black Licorice, someone who has hurt him before and will do so again.
Time, ain't on my side, I'm losin' it more each day.
The singer feels like he is running out of time and that his sanity is slipping away with each passing day.
She's got evil in her eyes, and catnip is her taste.
Black Licorice is described as having an evil gaze and an appetite for catnip, a reference to her feline-like qualities and possibly a hint at her manipulative nature.
She wraps me up in her slender legs, her hot black skin to mine.
The singer is physically entangled with Black Licorice, suggesting that he is trapped in some way by this person.
Ple ... ple ...please, don't touch me, oh, I know I'm dead this time.
The singer is pleading with Black Licorice not to hurt him again, but he has resigned himself to the fact that he will not come out of this encounter unscathed.
Licorice.
The single repeated word is a reference to the personification of Black Licorice as a representation of deep darkness and danger.
Licorice, yeah, Black Licorice.
The two separate but repeated references to licorice and Black Licorice together serve to emphasize the looming danger and give a sense of urgency to the situation.
Licorice, licorice.
Again, this repetition serves to further emphasize the danger and dread associated with Black Licorice.
Licorice, licorice, Black Licorice.
The third and final repetition of the words 'licorice' and 'Black Licorice' cements the idea of this person as a dangerous and fearful presence in the singer's life.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, woah, Black Licorice.
The song ends with a repetition of the previous lines, with the addition of the exclamation 'woah'. This final line further emphasizes the sense of danger and the singer's fear of this mysterious Black Licorice figure.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, BREW MUSIC CO.
Written by: MARK FARNER, DON BREWER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J. Viso
One of the most underrated, under-appreciated, worst-critiqued great bands ever. Love 'em!
Dennis Holiday
@judith Clinton I seen them there to! But after the concert I went to The Cazy Sexy and you do not want to know the details.
catherine thompson
@David Adam i thought THEY opened for zeppelin? peter grant pulled the PA?i get what the guy was trying to say.....calm down mate!
Haitian Soulja dex
Stfu already
Danny Burch
Couldn't have said it any better Brother!
judith Clinton
Seen them live in Germany 1973 or74 festhalle Frankfurt
Ed
Two kick ass K-Mart speakers in the back of a 1963 Dodge Dart with this song playing on the 8 track with volume up to bleed level. Thatโs how I rolled back then, and thatโs why I canโt hear shit today. LOL.
Videlle
But it was sure worth it
Dwayne Tempest
Lol,I had the same 6x9 triaxal speakers called mind blowers they came with a rocker switch you mounted on dash and was a built in power booster and they sounded amazing .townies used to pull me over and tell me they were getting complaints on broad Street .
Sean Stone
This bass line is fucking crazy