7 Career-Defining Songs Of Grand Funk Railroad

From their inaugural album in 1969 to clinching their first number-one hit with “We’re an American Band” in 1973, Grand Funk Railroad (abbreviated as Grand Funk for legal reasons) crafted a distinctive and often imitated style of hard rock blues infused with passion, talent, technical prowess, and vigor. Until their initial hiatus in 1976, they delivered eleven studio albums and two dynamic live performances, showcasing an array of exceptional songs.

Shinin’ On
From the title track of their 1974 album Shinin’ On, this song followed the triumph of their highly successful album We’re An American Band.

The Locomotion
Originally recorded in 1962 by Little Eva, Grand Funk Railroad’s rendition of “The Locomotion” became a staple in their live shows during the 1970s and was featured on the Shinin’ On album.

Gimme Shelter
Offering a robust rendition of the Rolling Stones classic, Grand Funk infused a touch of Hendrix in the arrangements, accompanied by an incredible bass line. This version can be found on their *Survival* album, while the original is on the Stones’ 1969 album Let It Bleed.

Look At Granny Run Run
Riding the wave of success, the band covered this Howard Tate hit from 1966 on their second album in 1974, blending funk and roll in their signature style.

Feelin’ Alright
Featured on Survival, Grand Funk took on this Dave Mason composition, previously recorded by Traffic in 1968 and Joe Cocker in 1969, showcasing their unique interpretation.

Into The Sun
Unveiling the group’s progressive side, “Into The Sun” kicked off the second side of their remarkable debut record, On Time, released in 1969.

We’re An American Band
The title track of their seventh studio album released in 1973, “We’re An American Band” marked a pinnacle in their career. For this album, Grand Funk enlisted the talents of the illustrious Todd Rundgren as a producer, adding to the song’s significance.