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
Feelin' Alright
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause every night I have the strangest dreams.
Imprisoned by the way things used to be, yeah,
Left here on my own or so it seems.
I got to leave before I start to scream,
'Cause somebody locked the door and took the key.
[Chorus]
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh.
Baby, you sure took me on one big ride,
And, even now I sit and wonder why.
Then, when I think of you, I start to cry,
I know I can't get upset and I must keep dry.
I got to stop believin' in all your lies,
'Cause I got too much to do before I die.
[Chorus]
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh.
[Chorus]
Oh, yeah.
[Chorus]
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh.
The lyrics to Grand Funk Railroad's "Feelin' Alright" depict a singer who is unhappy with his current situation and needs a change in scenery to rectify his troubled, tumultuous life. He complains of having strange dreams every night and feeling imprisoned by the way things used to be. He feels that he's been left on his own and must leave before he starts screaming. Moreover, he emphasizes that somebody locked the door and took the key, which signifies that he's entangled in a tough and inescapable situation.
The chorus, "Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself," serves as an anchor for the song. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the distressing situation, with the singer admitting to not feeling too good himself. Later in the verse, the singer reflects on his past relationship, where he felt taken on a big ride, eventually resulting in tears. However, he needs to stop believing in the lies he's been told to move on and concentrate on achieving his objectives before he dies.
Overall, the song's message is timeless, as many people may feel like they're imprisoned in their lives and need change to thrive. Grand Funk Railroad's effective use of powerful lyrics and melodies has made "Feelin' Alright" a song that is still listened to and appreciated today.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems I got to have a change in scene,
I need to switch up my environment because every night I have strange dreams and feel trapped by the way things used to be.
'Cause every night I have the strangest dreams.
My dreams are so strange that they're making me feel like I need a change.
Imprisoned by the way things used to be, yeah,
I feel like I'm stuck in the past and it's affecting my present days.
Left here on my own or so it seems.
I feel isolated and alone, like no one is here for me.
I got to leave before I start to scream,
I absolutely have to leave before I lose my mind and have a breakdown.
'Cause somebody locked the door and took the key.
I feel trapped and helpless because it feels like someone took control of my life.
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Are you feeling okay? Because I'm not, I'm feeling pretty terrible myself.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh.
Musical interlude
Baby, you sure took me on one big ride,
You sure put me through a lot and it feels like it's taken a toll on me.
And, even now I sit and wonder why.
I still question why I let myself go through everything with you.
Then, when I think of you, I start to cry,
Thoughts of you make me emotional and I can't help but cry.
I know I can't get upset and I must keep dry.
I understand I shouldn't let my emotions get the best of me, I need to keep a cool head.
I got to stop believin' in all your lies,
I need to stop believing all the lies you fed me.
'Cause I got too much to do before I die.
I have so much left to accomplish before my time is up and I can't be stuck in these negative feelings anymore.
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus
Oh, yeah.
Interlude
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh.
Musical interlude
[Chorus]
Final repetition of the chorus
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh.
Musical outro
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dave Mason
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raymondkitchen6137
Totally OVERRATED band!
A short list of ACTUAL underrated bands:
MC5
Moby Grape
Silver Apples
Blue Cheer
Amboy Dukes (but only the first three albums; that's when Nugent's ego took over and killed a great band)
Mountain
Can
S.R.C.
Hound Dog Taylor
Fleetwood Mac (The GOOD Fleetwood Mac; everything before Buckingham/Nicks entered the picture; especially the first six albums)
@kylepalen7366
Seems I got to have a change in scene,
'Cause every night I have the strangest dreams.
Imprisoned by the way things used to be, yeah,
Left here on my own or so it seems.
I got to leave before I start to scream,
'Cause somebody locked the door and took the key.
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh.
Baby, you sure took me on one big ride,
And, even now I sit and wonder why.
Then, when I think of you, I start to cry,
I know I can't get upset and I must keep dry.
I got to stop believin' in all your lies,
'Cause I got too much to do before I die.
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh.
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Oh, yeah.
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Feelin' alright? I'm not feelin' too good myself.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh.
@arnoldchildress8053
I was just like 12 or 13 worked all week cutting grass just to buy this album now I'm 62 and don't regret it one bit
@jeffroberts4470
So glad I grew up back then in the late 60's 70's! Best years ever!
@49558201
Angelo State class of 73..........before the Cartel took west texas.........
@rayavery8093
You certainly got that right my friend !!!!!
@lewisp9498
I wish, I'm just going into 7th grade in a very small town in a very big world and this is all I will ever listen to and always will for the rest of my life and nothing else at all.
@doncastillo7813
Amen Brother.
@mikefrance7498
Ditto ! This is one hell of a album !wish music sounded like this today!
@leonarddeberry7104
Excellent rendition of this song.....68 and rocking!
@cliffbrown2566
Absolutely love this. Killer bassline.
@smokindave4638
Thanks for telling me!