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Rating:
"We must give back what we have taken from the Earth".
This is one of the messages sent to us by the Grand Funk Railroad, a band that has written some of the most thrilling pages of American hard rock history. Plunging their hands into the depths of their own Earth, what they have given back to us is pure energy. A raw, almost primitive sound, yet with a devastating impact.
Amps cranked up, scathing guitars, and a tight, overwhelming rhythm section. The melodies created by the fantastic vocal blends emerge like sun rays from this wall of sound. Grand Funk conquers America through their adrenaline-charged and overflowing live shows. Defying the critics, still fogged by the pseudo-intellectual fumes of the psychedelic summer, who describe them as apostles of coarse and vulgar music. Yet the people love them precisely for this, for their distancing from intellectual poses and their sincere naiveté, which raises them as champions of the working class and humanitarian causes.
But theirs is not pointless sonic violence, rather a sort of self-catharsis, a means to channel anger into positive energy. If the previous "Live Album" was the exaltation of that primal sound, the subsequent "Caught in the Act" portrays the band at the peak of their popularity. The power trio had long since become a quartet, with the introduction of keyboardist Craig Frost, and with the latest studio album "All the Girls in the World Beware!!!" they have just taken a turn towards pop-rock that will mark the beginning of their descending parabola.
Despite this necessary premise, the work in question remains for the undersigned the best testimony left by the band. From the pulsating rhythms of "Footstompin' Music" and "Some Kind of Wonderful" to the magnificent anti-militarist anthem "Gimme Shelter". "War is just a shot away". The masterpieces of a career unfold. "I'm your Captain / Closer to Home" is a splendid journey through the seas of emotion, with its many seasons and the beautiful intervention of a mellotron. "Heartbreaker" instead delves into the rhythm'n'blues roots, alternating delicate, poignant moments with bursts of electricity. Electricity that remains the common thread, both in the more successful hits "We're an American Band" and "The Loco-Motion" and in the instrumental orgasms of "Inside Lookin' Out" and "T.N.U.C.". To enhance the value of this album, there are finally two songs often overlooked in live performances, like the self-celebratory "The Railroad" and the wild "Black Licorice", in which Brewer's wild screams are worthy of the best Ian Gillan.
If you're not afraid of the roars of a distorted, relentless bass.
If you think you can withstand the percussive violence of a jackhammer.
If you ultimately believe you can resist even the seismic riffs and the piercing cries of the Indian Mark Farner, then this is the band for you!
"What are all the rock bands today good for if Grand Funk Railroad already existed?" Homer Simpson
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Rock & Roll Soul (04:02)
We're having a party, yeah, yeah, everybody's invited,
The new generation along with the old.
If you could get with it just a little more, it don't take much tryin',
You'll find out if you've got some rock & roll soul, baby.
Ain't everybody in the world. So when you know what you got, let everybody know,
You got some rock & roll soul.
So when you know what you got, let everybody know,
You got some rock & roll soul.
I know it when I'm feelin' groovy,
It's kind of funky like an old-time movie.
I can feel it and it's really something,
It's really something when my heart starts pumpin', yeah.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
Tell everybody you know, you got some rock 'n roll soul.
03 Closer to Home (07:26)
Everybody, listen to me,
And return me, my ship.
I'm your captain, I'm your captain,
Although I'm feeling mighty sick.
I've been lost now, days uncounted,
And it's months since I've seen home.
Can you hear me, can you hear me,
Or am I all alone.
If you return me, to my home port,
I will kiss you mother earth.
Take me back now, take me back now,
To the port of my birth.
Am I in my cabin dreaming, or are you really scheming,
To take my ship away from me?
You'd better think about it, I just can't live without it.
So, please don't take my ship from me.
Yeah, yeah, yeah ...
I can feel the hand, of a stranger,
And it's tightening, around my throat.
Heaven help me, Heaven help me,
Take this stranger from my boat.
I'm your captain, I'm your captain,
Although I'm feeling mighty sick.
Everybody, listen to me,
And return me, my ship.
I'm your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
Ohhhh ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
04 Heartbreaker (07:26)
Once I had a little girl,
Sometimes I think about her,
But, buddy, you know
She's not really there.
When memories do call,
I just, I just can't live without her
But tryin' all the time
Is so hard to bear.
Heartbreaker, can't take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
Heartbreaker, can't take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
I don't cry no more,
I live while I'm flying,
But I'll think back,
And you can hear me say:
Heartbreaker, can't take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
Heartbreaker, can't take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
Heartbreaker, can't take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
Heartbreaker, can't take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
Heartbreaker, can't take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
Heartbreaker, can't take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
Heartbreaker, can't take her,
Heartbreaker, bringing me down.
05 Some Kind of Wonderful (04:30)
I don't need a whole lot's of money
I don't need a big fine car
I got everything that a man could want
I got more than I could ask for
And I don't have to run around
I don't have to stay out all night
'Cause I got me a sweet, a sweet loving woman
And she know just how to treat me right
CHORUS:
Oh, my baby, she's alright
Oh, my baby, clean out of sight
Don't you know that she's
She's some kind of wonderful
She's some kind of wonderful
Yes, she is, she is
She's some kind of wonderful
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
When I hold her in my arms
You know she sets my soul on fire
Oh, when my baby kisses me
My heart becomes filled with desire
When she wraps her loving arms around me
It 'bout drives me out of my mind
Yeah, when my baby kisses me
Chills run up and down my spine
CHORUS
Now is there anybody
Got a sweet little woman like mine
There's got to be somebody
Got a, got a sweet little woman like mine
Yeah, well can I get a witness
Can I get a witness
Can I get a witness
Can I get a witness
Can I get a witness
I'm talking, talking about my baby
(She's some kind of wonderful)
I'm talking about my baby
(She's some kind of wonderful)........repeat until fade
06 Shinin' On (05:32)
We are winners and losers, bedfellow choosers
Put here to pass by the time
We are space-age sailors, all had our failures
Now everybody gonna' shine
Keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin' on
See the fire within them burnin'
Touch the fire, make me feel so fine
Keep the fire within you livin'
Everybody gonna' shine, shine, shine
Keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin', shinin' on
Keep it shinin' on
Shinin' on
Shinin' on
What?
Alright
Keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin', shinin' on
Keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin' on, shinin' on, shinin' on
Keep it shinin', keep it shinin', keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin', keep it shinin', keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin', keep it shinin', keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin', keep it shinin', keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin', keep it shinin', keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin', keep it shinin', keep it shinin' on
Keep it shinin', keep it shinin', keep it shinin' on
07 The Loco-Motion (03:20)
Everybody's doin' a brand new dance now
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
I know you'll get to like it if you give it a chance now
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
My little baby sister can do it with ease
It's easier than learnin' your ABCs
So, come on, come on, and do the Loco-Motion with me
You've got to swing your hips now
Come on
Jump up
Jump back
Oh well, I think you've got the knack
Woah, woah
Now that you can do it, well let's make a chain now
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
A chuga-chuga motion like a railroad train, now
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
Do it nice and easy now, and don't lose control
A little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul
So, come on, come on, and do the Loco-Motion with me
Woah, woah
Move around the floor in a loco-motion
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
Do it holdin' hands if'n you get the notion
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
There's never been a dance that's so easy to do
It even makes you happy when you're feelin' blue
So, come on, come on, and do the Loco-Motion with me
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
So, come on, come on, and do the Loco-Motion with me
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
So, come on, come on, and do the Loco-Motion with me
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
(Come on baby, do the Loco-Motion)
08 Black Licorice (04:52)
Whooo ... wheee!
You there, comin' up the stair, the feelin' is ice-blue cold.
Shake, it's more than I can take, I'm startin' to lose control.
Watch out, what's that noise, there's somebody at the door.
It must be Black Licorice, she come back to make me cry some more.
Time, ain't on my side, I'm losin' it more each day.
Licorice, licorice.
She's got evil in her eyes, and catnip is her taste.
Licorice, licorice.
She wraps me up in her slender legs, her hot black skin to mine.
Licorice, licorice.
Ple ... ple ...please, don't touch me, oh, I know I'm dead this time.
Oh, oh, yeah ... Licorice, yeah, Black Licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, yeah, Black Licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, Black Licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, yeah, Black Licorice.
Licorice.
Licorice.
Licorice.
Licorice.
Licorice, yeah, Black Licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, yeah, Black Licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, licorice, Black Licorice.
Licorice, licorice.
Licorice, woah, Black Licorice.
09 The Railroad (06:18)
Up each morning at five o'clock,
Seem like the noon-day sun ain't never gonna' stop.
The work is hard in a railroad yard,
Hey, hey, gotta' make it today to punch a time card.
Workin' on the railroad.
CHORUS
Oh, you know, the railroad is a mighty good line,
Come on and ride the railroad, one more time.
Oh, you know, the railroad is a mighty good line,
Come on and ride the railroad, one more time.
Dirt and sweat, runnin' down my back,
Workin' on the railroad.
Work all day long up and down the railroad tracks.
Workin' on the railroad.
I'm a God fearing man, and with many I stand,
Workin' on the railroad.
And with God we've been working, all hand in hand.
Workin' on the railroad.
CHORUS
Oh, you know, the railroad is a mighty good line,
Workin' on the railroad.
Come on and ride the railroad, one more time.
Workin' on the railroad.
Oh, you know, the railroad is a mighty good line,
Come on and ride the railroad, one more time.
10 We're an American Band (03:26)
Out on the road for forty days
Last night in Little Rock put me in a haze
Sweet, sweet Connie, doin' her act
She had the whole show and that's a natural fact
Up all night with Freddie King
I got to tell you, poker's his thing
Booze and ladies, keep me right
As long as we can make it to the show tonight
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
Four young chiquitas in Omaha
Waitin' for the band to return from the show
Feelin' good, feelin' right and it's Saturday night
The hotel detective, he was outta sight
Now these fine ladies, they had a plan
They was out to meet the boys in the band
They said, "come on dudes, let's get it on"
And we proceeded to tear that hotel down
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
We're an American band, wooo
We're an American band, wooo
We're an American band, wooo
11 T.N.U.C. (04:40)
You won't find me, knockin' at your door.
I've known forever, you don't love me no more.
If you don't want to lay there, with your mouth shut tight,
I'm gettin' myself together, yes, I'm leavin' tonight
You ain't gonna' find nobody, to treat you like I do.
I been down on my knees, you treat me like a fool.
Now, I know what you're tryin' to do, awww, it ain't gonna' happen.
'Cause I just done got hip to you, I'm gonna' walk out laughin'.
12 Inside Looking Out (12:08)
I'm sitting here lonely like a broken man.
I serve my time doin' the best I can.
Walls and bars they surround me.
But, I don't want no sympathy.
No baby, no baby,
All I need is some tender lovin'.
To keep me sane in this burning oven.
And, when my time is up, you'll be my reefer.
Life gets worse on God's green earth.
Be my reefer, got to keep smokin' that thing.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I said now baby ... baby ..., let me smoke it ... smoke it ...
Makes me feel good ... feel good, yes, I feel good ... ahhhhh ...
Yes, I feel alright ... feel alright ..., yes, I feel alright ... feel alright ...
Yes, I feel alright ... Ahhhhh ...
Ohhhhh ...
Ice cold water is runnin' through my veins.
They try and drag me back to work again.
Pain and blisters on my mind and hands.
I work all day making up burlap bags.
The oats they're feeding me are driving me wild.
I feel unhappy like a new born child.
Now, when my time is up, you wait and see.
These walls and bars won't keep that stuff from me.
No, no, baby,
Won't keep that stuff from me.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I need you right now mama.
I need you right now baby.
Right by my side, honey.
All night long.
Make me feel alright ...
Yes, all ..., yes, all ..., yes, all ... alright.
You better come on up and get down with me.
I'll make you feel real good, just you wait and see.
Make me feel alright ..., yes, I feel alright ...
Yes, all ..., yes, all ..., yes, alright.
13 Gimme Shelter (06:31)
Oooo, oooo, oooo.
Oooo, oooo, oooo.
Oooo, a storm is threatenin', my very life today.
If I don't get some shelter, oh, I'm gonna' fade away.
CHORUS
War children, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away.
War children, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away.
Oooo, see the fire sweeping, up every street today.
Burns like a red-coal carpet, mad bull lost it's way.
CHORUS
Rape, murder, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away.
Rape, murder, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away.
Rape, murder, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away.
Oooo, a storm is threatenin', my very life today.
If I don't get some shelter, oh, I'm gonna' fade away.
War children, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away.
It's just a shot away, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away.
I said a love sister, it's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away.
It's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away, kiss away, kiss away.
CHORUS
CHORUS
Love sister, it's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away.
Love sister, it's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away.
War children, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away.
Love sister, it's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away.
War children, it's just a shot away, it's just a shot away.
Love sister, it's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away.
(repeat alternation to fade)
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By JonnyORiley87
The first thing that comes to mind upon first listening to it is, above all, the return to an aggressive, visceral approach, yet elegant just right of their genuine and effective Hard Rock.
Despite the 45 years since its release, still unmistakably smells of that vibrant and pulsating Hard Rock we should never be without.
