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
WILD
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But, ever since I was a baby, people calling me crazy.
You know I ain't crazy.
For, I oh I, I got my finger in the pie.
Until I took a step back, and looked where I was at.
I said I'm not really satisfied.
CHORUS
I want to' be wild like I'm supposed to be,
I want to be wild [just like/because] I know I am,
Wild just like a natural man ...
Who was born to be wild.
Wild, born wild, wild the young American style.
Together we are strong, my brother said there ain't no heaven.
There ain't no orders above us.
Now, I don't know why, can get by on a natural high.
My high is the strength of my nature it's a good vibration, now, feeling sensation.
CHORUS
Who was born to be wild.
CHORUS
The lyrics to Grand Funk Railroad's song Wild seem to talk about the desire for freedom and a sense of individuality. The singer of the song feels like he's meant to be wild and free as a natural man. He believes that his natural instincts will help him attain true satisfaction in life. However, he's been called crazy by people ever since he was a child. In spite of this, he's confident that he's not really crazy and that he's just being himself.
The song seems to want to inspire people to embrace their inner wildness and freedom. The chorus reinforces this by expressing the desire to be wild, strong and free like a natural man. The lines "together we are strong, my brother said there ain't no heaven" may be a nod to the counterculture of the time that rejected traditional societal norms and the establishment. The singer feels like his strength comes from his natural high and the good vibrations he gets from feeling his true sense of freedom.
Overall, the song seems to celebrate the wildness and individuality of humans. It speaks of the importance of being true to oneself and embracing our natural instincts to attain happiness and satisfaction in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why, feel quite like a natural guy.
I don't understand why, but I feel comfortable being myself
But, ever since I was a baby, people calling me crazy.
Even since I was a child, people have been calling me insane
You know I ain't crazy.
But I know that I am not crazy
For, I oh I, I got my finger in the pie.
Because I am involved in a lot of things
Until I took a step back, and looked where I was at.
But then I stopped and evaluated my life
I said I'm not really satisfied.
And I realized that I am not truly happy
CHORUS
I want to' be wild like I'm supposed to be,
Strong and totally free.
I want to be wild [just like/because] I know I am,
Wild just like a natural man ...
Who was born to be wild.
Wild, born wild, wild the young American style.
I want to live life without any restrictions or limitations, just like how I was born. I want to be wild and free, and live life like a true American
Together we are strong, my brother said there ain't no heaven.
We are stronger when we are united, and my brother believes that there is no afterlife
There ain't no orders above us.
There is no authority above us
Now, I don't know why, can get by on a natural high.
Now, I'm not sure why, but I am able to function without any external influences
My high is the strength of my nature it's a good vibration, now, feeling sensation.
I feel invigorated by my natural instincts, and it's a great feeling
CHORUS
Who was born to be wild.
CHORUS
I was born to live a wild and free life, and I want to embrace that fully
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARK FARNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind