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
Winter And My Soul
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Winter is coming and it's plain to see
I spend the cold nights in my lonely room
Is it the winter to which I am doomed?
Cold is the snow that will cover the ground
I feel the presence of tears falling down
Is it for pity or vain that I cry?
Color is gone and the grass it must die
Life is too short for a dog growing old
He used to follow and play at my heel
Love from his heart I no longer can feel
The lyrics to Grand Funk Railroad's song "Winter And My Soul" seem to express feelings of loneliness and despair brought on by the onset of winter. The mention of a pear falling from the tree seems to symbolize the end of summer and the coming of a cold and barren season. The singer describes spending cold nights alone in their room, and wonders if winter is the cause of their emotional emptiness.
The imagery of cold snow covering the ground creates a somber mood, as does the mention of tears falling down. The singer questions the reason for their tears, whether it is out of self-pity or some vain desire. The loss of color and the dying grass symbolize the gloom and death that winter brings.
The final lines of the song introduce the theme of aging and loss: the singer mourns the loss of their dog's love, and seemingly reflects on the fleeting nature of existence. The song seems to capture the bleakness and melancholy that can accompany the winter season, and the feelings of isolation and despair that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I see a pear falling down from the tree
I foresee the arrival of winter, as evident as a fruit falling off a tree
Winter is coming and it's plain to see
The impending winter has a noticeable presence which is plain to see
I spend the cold nights in my lonely room
The cold nights of winter confine me to my isolated room
Is it the winter to which I am doomed?
I wonder if I am fated to be cursed with the loneliness that winter brings
Cold is the snow that will cover the ground
The inevitable snowfall of winter will bring with it a chilling cold
I feel the presence of tears falling down
I am overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness which is bringing me to tears
Is it for pity or vain that I cry?
I question whether my tears are out of self-pity or a sense of helplessness
Color is gone and the grass it must die
Winter robs the scenery of its colorfulness and marks the death of the grass
Winter brings sadness that empties my soul
The melancholy of winter is so strong it empties my soul of any positive emotions
Life is too short for a dog growing old
The unavoidability of death makes me question the inevitability of growing old and the point of life itself
He used to follow and play at my heel
I remember the affection of a companion that is now gone and can only reminisce its presence
Love from his heart I no longer can feel
The dog who once held affection towards me is no longer alive, leaving me devoid of love
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK FARNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind