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
In Need
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, what you tryin' to do?
You keep on talkin' to me
'Til your face turns blue
Well, do you think I'm a young boy
Yet to make up my mind?
Well, I'm just castin' all my toys
Well, I leave what's behind me, behind
I saw an old high school friend
Yeah, just the other day
He didn't ask me how I'd been
He asked me how was my pay
Well do you call this a friendship
Judging from what he said?
If you do, I've a real tip
Ain't nobody gonna know about my bread
Nobody know about my bread
I said yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, whoa
Come on
Come on
Come on
Come on
I said if you got somebody
You can trust to the very end
I said if you do, I wanna be like you
'Cause you sure got a real good friend
You sure got a real good friend, friend
Friend, friend, friend, whoa, yeah, oh, friend
The lyrics of Grand Funk Railroad's song "In Need" portray a person who is fed up with the superficial conversations around them. The song starts with the singer's frustration towards a woman who won't stop talking to him despite his disinterest. He questions her motives and wonders why she keeps talking until her face turns blue. He then questions his own decisions as he determines to leave what's behind and starts afresh. The mention of childhood toys represents his need to leave behind his past, the memories and issues, and to reach for new goals.
The singer then shares an incident where he meets an old high school friend who instead of asking him how he's been, enquires about his income. At first glance, it might seem like a simple exchange, but the singer deems it a reflection of the lack of genuine friendships, measuring each other's worth in monetary value. He concludes that nobody knows his financial condition and warns the people not to obsess over his wealth.
In the end, the singer finds solace and inspiration in a friend who is trustworthy and loyal. The lyrics bring to light the importance of authentic and trustworthy relationships, a break from the materialistic standard of measuring one's value.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, mama
Starting the conversation with a term of endearment towards his lover.
Baby, what you tryin' to do?
Asking his lover what they want from him or what their intentions are.
You keep on talkin' to me
Acknowledging their lover's constant talking to them.
'Til your face turns blue
Expressing how long their lover has been talking to them until they're out of breath.
Well, do you think I'm a young boy
Asking their lover if they see him as an immature person.
Yet to make up my mind?
Inquiring if their lover thinks he is indecisive.
Well, I'm just castin' all my toys
Stating that he is moving on from childish things.
I'm gonna leave what's behind me, behind
Deciding to let go of the past and move on.
I saw an old high school friend
Recalling a chance meeting with someone from his past.
Yeah, just the other day
Adding a timeframe to the encounter with his high school friend.
He didn't ask me how I'd been
Noting that his high school friend didn't inquire about his well-being.
He asked me how was my pay
Sharing that his high school friend's only question was connected to his financial status.
Well do you call this a friendship
Asking his lover if they consider this type of behavior friendship.
Judging from what he said?
Wondering if the answers to his questions can make it clear whether it is a friendship or not.
If you do, I've a real tip
Offering advice if his lover is still unsure about the status of their relationship.
Ain't nobody gonna know about my bread
Denying everyone to know about his financial status or his achievement.
I said yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, whoa
Showing agreement with himself.
Come on
Encouragement to his lover to move with him.
I said if you got somebody
Making a conditional statement.
You can trust to the very end
Defining the trait of someone who he thinks highly of.
I said if you do, I wanna be like you
Telling his lover that he wants to be like them if they have someone they can rely on.
'Cause you sure got a real good friend
Complimenting his lover for having a loyal friend.
You sure got a real good friend, friend
Reaffirming his compliment of his lover's friend.
Friend, friend, friend, whoa, yeah, oh, friend
Repeating and emphasizing how great his lover's friend is to them.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Farner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind