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
Testify
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the start.
Loved ya' baby,
Baby, with all of my heart.
I need ya' baby,
Can't ya' see.
I love that little girl,
Lord, you put a spell on me.
I just want to testify,
That I can't get by without your love.
I told ya' baby,
I's gonna' love you.
I said it girl,
Now that's what I'm gonna' do.
Turn down the lights,
I'm gonna' show ya how.
Turn down your lights little mama,
'cause I'm gonna show ya how, right now.
I just want to testify,
That I can't get by without your love.
Ohhh, baby.
I said baby, baby.
Would you do the same,
Hey, baby, if I treat you right?
I don't mean maybe,
When I tell you baby,
If you're after me,
I'm givin' up without a fight.
I just want to testify,
That I can't get by without your love.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
I just want to testify,
That I can't get by without your love.
Ohhh, baby.
I said baby, baby.
I just want to testify,
That I can't get by without your love, baby.
Oh I, I just want to testify,
I just want to testify,
That I can't get by without your love.
The lyrics of "Testify" by Grand Funk Railroad express the singer's strong love and need for their significant other. It is clear that from the start of the relationship, the singer has been enamored with their partner and they cannot imagine life without their love. They also express their desire to show their partner how much they love them physically, hence the line "Turn down the lights, I'm gonna' show ya how."
The chorus "I just want to testify, that I can't get by without your love" reinforces the intensity of the singer's emotions and the importance of their partner in their life. The final verse suggests that the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to keep their partner, saying that they will not give up without a fight.
Overall, the lyrics of "Testify" capture the passion and dedication that comes with being in love, and the fear of losing that connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I loved ya' baby,
From the start.
I fell in love with you, from the moment I saw you.
Loved ya' baby,
Baby, with all of my heart.
I love you with all my heart and soul.
I need ya' baby,
Can't ya' see.
I need you so much, can't you see it in my eyes?
I love that little girl,
Lord, you put a spell on me.
I'm in love with this girl, it's like I'm under a magic spell.
I just want to testify,
That I can't get by without your love.
I want to confess that I cannot live without your love.
I told ya' baby,
I's gonna' love you.
I promised you that I would love you forever.
I said it girl,
Now that's what I'm gonna' do.
I said it, and now I'm going to prove my love to you.
Turn down the lights,
I'm gonna' show ya how.
Let's set the mood by turning down the lights, and I'll show you how much I love you.
Turn down your lights little mama,
'cause I'm gonna show ya how, right now.
Hey, little mama, let's turn down the lights and I'll show you how much I love you right now.
Ohhh, baby.
I said baby, baby.
Oh, my love, my darling, I call out to you.
Would you do the same,
Hey, baby, if I treat you right?
If I treat you right, would you love me back the same way?
I don't mean maybe,
When I tell you baby,
If you're after me,
I'm givin' up without a fight.
I want to make it clear that if you love me, I'm yours for life, and I won't give up on you easily.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
I emphatically do not want to go on without your love.
Oh I, I just want to testify,
I just want to testify,
That I can't get by without your love.
I want to bear witness that my life is meaningless without your love.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angela Alvarez
Grand Funk is my most favorite band of all times . I was introduced to Grand Funk in the early 80's from listening to my ex-husband's real to real music. I was born in 68 but this music is right up my alley. This album was my introduction to Grand Funk. My favorite album of course.
Peter Egley Jr
I agree. The Grand Funk return in the early '80s seemed to almost go completely unnoticed---kinda strange for a band that had been such a big act just 5-6 years prior. "Testify" is one of my fave tunes on the LP as well. There is indeed (I'm no GFR historian lol) a live version of "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" on the GFR box set.
uncleelmer
Mark Farner blended a slight religious approach to rock that really worked and I enjoyed his music for many years.
Larry McDANIEL
Queen Bee, Good Times, and WE GOTTA GET OUTTA THIS PLACE are on here,all recorded live.This is a great album
5Antvin
Queen Bee from the Heavy Metal soundtrack
Perry Kalamaras
THANK GOD FOR FARNER!!
Potty Trained
I'm hoping you can upload Greed of Man from this album, it's the only track I don't have...
Julio César Arias Gómez
Here it is! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jz-PhDZgRk
sheddski
what no solo i have this album and never relized no solo ?