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
Take Me
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put your arms around me, make me feel much righter
Come and love with me, we can move real slow to the music
Come make love with me
Oh
Come on, take me, take me, and make me feel your music
Wanna lose my head tonight
Come on, take me, take me, make me feel your music
Well we ain't gonna stop if we're feelin' hot
Gotta' lose our heads tonight
How many times I tried to make it happen?
But you always find a way to say good-night
Tonight we're here alone, your mama's out, there's nobody home,
I'm a harmless kinda crazy so it's alright
Come on, take me, take me, and make me feel your music
Wanna get in deep when it tastes so sweet,
Wanna lose my head tonight
Come on, take me, take me and make me feel your music
Well we ain't gonna stop if we're feelin' hot,
Gotta lose our heads tonight
I've seen you give me looks that I've read about in books,
And I finally had to make you play your hand
There's a reason that you're here, and I think it's perfectly clear
But it don't take much to make me understand
Come and dance with me, take me all the higher
Put your arms around me, make me feel much righter
Come and love with me, we can move real slow to the music
Come make love with me, come make love, make love with me
Oh
Come on, take me, take me, and make me feel your music
Wanna get in deep when it tastes so sweet,
Wanna lose my head tonight
Come on, take me, take me and make me feel your music
Well we ain't gonna stop if we're feelin' hot,
Gotta' lose our heads tonight
Come on, take me, take me, and make me feel your music
Wanna get in deep when it tastes so sweet,
Wanna lose my head tonight
Come on, take me, take me and make me feel your music
Well we ain't gonna stop if we're feelin' hot,
The lyrics to "Take Me" by Grand Funk Railroad suggest the desire for physical intimacy with a partner. The first verse describes a longing to be swept away by music and a partner's embrace. This theme is further developed in the chorus, which repeats the desire to get lost in passion and forget all else. The second verse speaks to past attempts at connection with this person, and the hope that this time will be different. The bridge emphasizes the physical attraction between the two people, and the urgency to act upon it.
The overall tone of the song is one of lust and longing. The lyrics paint a picture of unbridled desire and the empowerment that comes from acting on it. The repeated plea to "take me" suggests a willingness to surrender to the moment and be led by one's partner. The use of music as a metaphor for this sexual connection reinforces the idea of being swept away by passion.
Overall, "Take Me" is a song that captures the intense desire that can exist between two people. The lyrics evoke a sense of recklessness and abandon, in which the only thing that matters is physical connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Come and dance with me, take me all the higher
Join me in dancing and together let's reach greater heights
Put your arms around me, make me feel much righter
Embrace me tightly and bring me comfort and joy
Come and love with me, we can move real slow to the music
Let's fall in love and move together to the rhythm of the music
Come make love with me,
Let's make passionate love together
Come on, take me, take me, and make me feel your music
Take control of me and make me feel the power of your music
Wanna get in deep when it tastes so sweet,
I want to immerse myself in the sweet sensations your music brings
Wanna lose my head tonight
I want to let go of all inhibitions and fully indulge in the music
How many times I tried to make it happen?
I've attempted to connect with you in the past numerous times
But you always find a way to say good-night
But you have always found a reason to say goodbye and end the night
Tonight we're here alone, your mama's out, there's nobody home,
Tonight we have the house to ourselves, and can spend the night however we please
I'm a harmless kinda crazy so it's alright
I might be a bit wild, but don't worry, it's harmless
I've seen you give me looks that I've read about in books,
I have noticed the seductive looks you have given me that I've only read about in literature
And I finally had to make you play your hand
I finally had to make a move and see if you were interested in me too
There's a reason that you're here, and I think it's perfectly clear
I believe there is a clear reason why you are here with me tonight
But it don't take much to make me understand
It doesn't take much for me to figure it out
Come make love with me, come make love, make love with me
Let's make love together, come and join me
Well we ain't gonna stop if we're feelin' hot
We won't stop what we're doing if we're feeling the passion between us
Gotta lose our heads tonight
We have to let go and lose ourselves in the moment tonight
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CRAIG FROST, DON BREWER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind