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
Nowhere To Run
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got nowhere to hide
I got nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
It's not love that I'm runnin' from
It's the heartbreak I know will come
'Cause I know, you're no good for me
Everywhere I go
Your face I see
Every step I take
You take with me, yeah
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide from you baby
I've got nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
Now I know
You're no good for me
But free from you
I'll never be, no
Each night as I sleep
Into my heart you creep
I wake up feeling sorry I met you
Hoping soon that I'll forget you
When I look in the mirror
To comb my hair
I see your face
Just a-smilin' there
Nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
I got nowhere to run to, baby
Nowhere to hide
Now I know
You're no good for me
But you've become
A part of me, now
How can I find a love
When it shouldn't be?
When it's so deep, it's so deep
Deep inside of me
Oh, reaches so high
I can't get over it
It's so wide
I can't get around it, no
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide from you, baby
I just can't get away from you baby
No matter how I try
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
Nowhere to runnin' high
The song "Nowhere To Run" by Grand Funk Railroad is about a person who is trapped in an unhealthy relationship. The lyrics describe the person's feelings of being unable to escape the pain and heartbreak that they know will come. Despite their knowledge that the relationship is no good for them, they are unable to let go of the person they are with because they have become a part of them. The lyrics suggest that the person in the relationship is always on the person's mind no matter where they go, and even when they try to forget about the relationship, they are reminded of it constantly.
The lyrics also suggest that the person is struggling to find love that is genuine and healthy. The chorus repeats the idea that the person has nowhere to run or hide from the relationship, and that they are trapped in their feelings of love and heartbreak. The lyrics suggest that the person is conflicted and unable to move on from the relationship, despite their better judgment.
The song's slow, bluesy rhythm and soulful vocals add to the emotional impact of the lyrics. The use of repetition in the chorus emphasizes the feelings of being trapped and unable to escape. Grand Funk Railroad's performance of the song is both powerful and emotive, with the music and lyrics working together to create a compelling expression of a person's emotional struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Nowhere to run to, baby
I have no escape from you
I got nowhere to hide
I can't hide from the truth of my feelings for you
It's not love that I'm runnin' from
I am not afraid of love, I am afraid of getting hurt by you
It's the heartbreak I know will come
I fear that being with you will only bring me heartbreak
'Cause I know, you're no good for me
I am aware that you are not good for me, but I can't help myself
But you've become a part of me
I have become so attached to you that I cannot let you go
Everywhere I go
You are always on my mind
Your face I see
I cannot escape the memory of your face
Every step I take
I feel like you are walking beside me
You take with me, yeah
I am unable to leave you behind
Nowhere to run
I cannot run away from my feelings for you
Nowhere to hide from you baby
You have a hold on me that I cannot shake off
Now I know
I have come to realize
But free from you
Without you in my life
I'll never be, no
I will never be truly happy
Each night as I sleep
You invade my thoughts, even in my dreams
Into my heart you creep
You have a way of entering my heart and thoughts
I wake up feeling sorry I met you
I regret meeting you, as it has only caused me pain
Hoping soon that I'll forget you
I hope that someday I will be able to move on from you
When I look in the mirror
Even when I look at myself
To comb my hair
As I perform a mundane task
I see your face
Your memory is still haunting me
Just a-smilin' there
As if nothing ever happened between us
Now I know
I have come to realize
You're no good for me
You do not bring happiness to my life
But you've become
However, you have become
A part of me, now
A part of who I am and what I feel
How can I find a love
I am struggling to find true love
When it shouldn't be?
When it feels impossible?
When it's so deep, it's so deep
I am so emotionally invested
Deep inside of me
These feelings are rooted deep within me
Oh, reaches so high
These emotions are so intense
I can't get over it
I cannot move on from these feelings
It's so wide
This issue is all-encompassing
I can't get around it, no
I can't avoid or ignore these feelings
I just can't get away from you baby
I have tried to distance myself from you, but I cannot
No matter how I try
Despite my best efforts
Nowhere to runnin' high
My emotions are running high and I cannot escape them
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind