Please listen to the studio version of this masterpiece, Brad and Lex. Don't react to it-- just listen to it. It's one of the true classics of rock music.
Story of a ship's crew, that poisoned the captain, and he begins to get sick and die. "Closer to Home," is the captain, trying to make it back home, before he dies to see his wife and children. A really great song, or songs. There are many other examples of two songs, really melding into one song. Thanks
The "Closer to Home" part isn't the captain trying to get home before he dies. You hear the sound of the ocean waves as his spirit travels across the ocean to get home to the "port of his birth". The crew succeeded in murdering their captain. He's dead at that point.
@mark Constanza Or in some of our cases (Gen Xers) or older millennials, cool parents (Bhouomers). lol. My parents were cool in their days. Grandparents to our children (younger millennials and Gen Z).
The original version is epic . Maybe my favorite rock song of all - time.. But at least you got to hear the gist of it . They were huge in the early to mid 70s selling out arenas everywhere. Thanks for a super reaction.
Righto ,Mike. Really huge about 70-73 ...Hard to maintain that popularity but American Band was good album ,too. Maybe 73... They maybe haven't reacted to that one. .
They were an ok band. The Beatles were the first band EVER to play in a stadium. Largest crowd up to that time...65'000 fans. That was unheard of in 1965. GFR player Shea in the 1970's. Rock was a lot bigger by that time, so it is no big feat to sell out a concert faster than in 1965. Grand Funk had a few hits then disappeared. Nowhere near the hits The Beatles had. So stop your comparing them. The Beatles were on top of Mount Everest, Grand Funk was at 10 foot level.
For 3 guys to make so much sound, it was incredible. The audiences could feel it, and reacted to it. I first heard them in 1970. Yeah, they blew me away.
They were truly one of the most exciting groups to witness in concert. Incredible energy and passion as documented on the 1970 Live Album and The 1971 Tour.
That early 70’s show at Shea Stadium looked like it was off the rails. The stands should have collapsed under the jumping crowd. It’s hard to believe that three guys put up that massive wall of sound. Classic real American rockers.
Their live performances were electrifying. Heard them at Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami in 70 or 71. The concert was sold out when we got there but there was a huge party in the parking lot for us turn aways. Farner said at the beginning "we're gonna turn the volume up so our brothers and sisters outside can hear." Best concert I never saw, lol.
Daniel I bet....but ur old like me ...what other concerts were fantastico? Styx might be my fav concert....oh wait a sec....my all time fav, Karen Carpenter prob was the best for me.... hahaha
The most memorable, although I felt at the time I got ripped off for my $6 ticket, was the Doors March 1st '69 concert, which was also at Dinner Key Auditorium. In that period I saw dozens of concerts all over the Miami and Broward County areas so it's hard to pick the best. Most were 4 to 6 bucks then, but when you made $1 an hour pumping gas that seemed like a lot. There were three I could have gotten tickets for but didn't and missed them, Sinatra on Miami Beach, Hendrix in Miami just before he died, and Elvis. I think I regret not seeing Elvis the most. Crap, maybe I am old, lol.
Yes, GFR! They were a great band from Michigan. Psychedelic rock, jam band, funk rock, bluesy. Prog rock. Hard rock. Very versatile, hard to pin them down. Just great old rock n roll. Very cool band with many great songs and hits from the late '60s, '70s and early '80s. Too many to list, just read the comments, suggestions from other posters. Check out more of their stuff. Love the bass guitar on their songs. I think this song is about sea sickness on a long trip on a ship? Or a drug trip song, lol. LSD (hippies love this stuff and they had many hippie fans, like in tis video). Ah, Shea Stadium, home of the smelly NY Mets. lol
Early July, 1971. I was just a little kid but I remember this constantly being played. For a long long time. Well into the 80s. Thank you both for another great reaction.
I saw Grand Funk Railroad in concert in the early 70s. They were fantastic and wild. They were hugely popular in the 70s. A riot ensued after the concert.
You kids don't know Grand Funk? The wild shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher? The competent drumwork of Don Brewer?
People were in the real world, in the moment.....it will soon be a thing of the past the way we are heading. We were indeed fortunate to grow up, experience, travel and party without a device in our hands, made from metals 100s of thousands mine in inhumane conditions (mainly in Congo) and even die for.
Wow,,, a priceless moment in history,,,, yes this song was, as this was the first song my brother recorded for me on 8track tape when he returned from Vietnam, but the priceless moment was that chill smile that came on Brads face when he changed into Closer to My Home,,,,,,,,,, Most the time is Lex who grabs those moments, but Brad,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, This one goes to You Buddy!
WOW haven't heard this song in a long time - love it!!! GFR has a bunch of cool songs - they had a completely different funky sound. Thanks so much guys for reacting to this gem.🧡
It's because it was so driving and funky. And you have to remember at a concert like that it is going to be loud like really really loud. But you can even do it in your living room. Just put it on at a fairly high-volume and just make it your thing to just dance to it, whatever you feel like doing. You'll see why and plus you have to remember, somebody pays the money goes to all the trouble to manage to get to a concert find some parking, walk along ways, wait forever to get in, get in there and wait forever for the opening band, and then finally the band you're there to see or hopefully you're there to see both of them. That means you're a pretty big fan and so you are just in heaven with adrenaline rush when here you are watching this band right in front of you in real life that you've heard on the radio over and over and on the album or the single that you bought and played on your turntable over and over, and they are louder than anything.
Great concert band, and stadium performers, saw them in 1971 in Seattle with Bloodrock opening the show, GF put on a fantastic show, no one could sit still
They sold out Shea Stadium in seven days. It took the Beatles seven weeks to sell it out. They were only 22 in 1971. Lead singer Mark Farner wrote the song in 1970 when he was 21, saying it was divinely inspired. This was during the height of the Vietnam War, and it resonated in that context. "I'm getting closer to my home" could be about meeting your Maker or finally returning from the war. This concert was their apex, just three years after they formed in 1969 at the age of 20. Grand Funk Railroad: Three guys from Flint, Michigan, tearing it up as a power trio.
You should probably have listened to the studio version, before the live one. If you get time, on your own, you'll understand why the crowd is so excited. This song is on my "stay list". Appreciate the reaction anyways, you guys are always entertaining.👍
Lol. I saw GFR in Chicago and people were pretty messed up on drugs. One guy climbed way up a pole and I think he fell down. I'm not sure I don't remember that but some guy was naked and they were throwing them around the crowd like beach ball. Nobody let him hit the ground and he didn't get hurt, but I don't think he was with it at all. He was tripped out really bad.
The way the croud was reacting is typical of the 70s . Music was consumed differently back then. Think hat 70s Show. Friends came over and you listened to music. You would sit on the floor and put on an album and,chill . Halfway thru the first song no one was talking. You would just look and give them a nod. They knew exactly what you ment. There were way fewer distractions back then, so you way closer to your friends. So when you got to the concert , to have the band there, all your friends, the music , ( that you were used to having in a chill environment ) was too overwhelming . Well you went nuts. God, I do miss those days and my friends !!! That's the most I said since I known ya. I really enjoyed this one. Pic.
I've been waiting for this reaction. Unfortunately you chose the live version. It's good but the studio version is where you grab an adult beverage (or a joint), a cigar, turn the lights low and crank that stereo UP!
This is a classic from my high school days (yes I am that old) but I have to say that it always bored me to death. I went straight from Grateful Dead and Frank Zappa to punk rock. Strange but true.
Great point about no cell phones. In fact there wasn't even internet and so to see these bands for the very first time live was often at very exciting thing because it's not like you could just hop on TH-cam and watch music video by them or anything like that or jump on Wikipedia and read all about him. You know them from the radio, you knew them from the albums that you bought and then the posters that you put on your walls that were inside the record albums and what was on the liner notes and what was in Rolling Stone magazine and so forth.
Grand Funk Railroad was the most popular live band in the world from 1969 through 1975 selling out globally with only a 3 man band. Their sound, energy and talent was off the charts...
The drummer is from my hometown of Swartz Creek, MI. When I was really young in the late 60's I was at a baseball game and I heard music. I asked my mom what's that? She said it's just Mrs. Brewer's son Donny and his friends making noise. I checked a book out of the high school library on The Crusades and noticed he had checked it out years before. I stole the library card for his autograph.
The structural engineers almost shut that concert down in fear of a collapse cuz of the the way they were bouncing the bleachers up and down...Salute to my hometown American Band !
Wish you would have chosen the studio version instead, it's so much better especially through headphones. This is a great road trip song for the highway. I saw them in concert in 1868 in Dania, FL and it was a great show.
This is a sailor's song after spending months on the other side of the world in the Navy, this song describes perfectly what it feels like to be on the way to your home port. And it always brings back memories. Thanks for this.
Grand Funk Railroad were from Flint Michigan 60 miles north of Detroit. Ted Nugent was from Detroit Michigan Bob Seger from Ann Arbor Michigan . Those 3 cities had some amazing rock and roll. Plus Motown was going strong. The state of Michigan had some great music coming out of its state no matter what you liked. The Railroad that ran through Flint Michigan was called Grand Trunk Railroad and They name themselves after it. Such an Amazing band
I was living in Grand Blanc at this time. My cousin from Swartz Creek was a classmate of Donny Brewer her younger brother had Brewer's mother as his teacher. We sure did get to see a lot of talent back in the day. Question Mark & the Mysterians, Frijid Pink, Plain Brown Wrapper, MC5 etc.
Twice I drove cross country and played the studio track on the approach when I was about an hour out. What a tune when you've been far away for a while and are finally closing in on home. Home! Great song always! Thx!
Its said this songs about a captain facing a mutiny from his crew and he is poisoned. But in a interview the singer said this song is about the end of the Vietnam war and the troops was starting to come home. GRAND FUNK always underrated they had many great songs.
Hey guys what's up! These guys were as big as Led Zeppelin at one point. I don't know if you guys have done it yet. But check it out the song American band next. You guys rock! God bless you! Peace!
FINALLY!! You were absolutely right, everyone I knew back then loved that song! And it was a real ship's Captain that suffered from poisoning when his crew commited mutiny against him. He's getting "closer to home" cuz he's dying. If you ever do another reaction to GFR, PLEASE do "Sin's a Good Man's Brother."
At their peak back in the 70's, there guys were outdrawing everybody -- Stones, The Who, Alice Cooper, Sly&tFS, etc. Kind of a fluke-- they fell off of the map just as quickly. B&L should check out "Bad Time (to be in Love)" -- now that one swings! And FWIW, I recall that all o f the radio DJ's used to love to refer to them as 'Mark, Don and Mel' more than GFR.
Many artists and bands made and wrote songs that pertained to the Vietnam war, my interpretation of this song is a lost soldier calling out for his commanding officer to take him to his ship and send him home.
They were one of the best bands ever. They are a case study in bad management. It's unfortunate, but they made their mark. Nice video, I hadn't seen that one.
check out some more Grand Funk R.R.. = Some Kind Of Wonderful, Get It Together, Mean Mistreater, The Loco-Motion, Shinin' On, I'm Your Captain (studio version) is a must.
Please listen to the studio version of this masterpiece, Brad and Lex. Don't react to it-- just listen to it. It's one of the true classics of rock music.
Agree! Live performances are great to see, but it's good to have a baseline reference, especially on a song like this.
studio is much better
@@yootoob1001001 Finally, I'm getting support for this issue. I tell reactors this all the time. THANK YOU !!!
Agreed.
Agreed👍
Story of a ship's crew, that poisoned the captain, and he begins to get sick and die. "Closer to Home," is the captain, trying to make it back home, before he dies to see his wife and children. A really great song, or songs. There are many other examples of two songs, really melding into one song.
Thanks
The "Closer to Home" part isn't the captain trying to get home before he dies. You hear the sound of the ocean waves as his spirit travels across the ocean to get home to the "port of his birth". The crew succeeded in murdering their captain. He's dead at that point.
@@korndogz69 Makes sense.
@@korndogz69 Yep.
They rarely understand songs lol
And to think, Brad and Lex tried to take this one to the gutter.
This is the condensed live version. The full 10 minute studio version is the definitive one. Epic 🤟
Politely disagrees..... studio version too slow, 1970 live version much better imo. Faster tempo and more energy for sure.
@@deathbymisadventure Politely disagree... the live version loses the instruments as studio sound is clearer.
We have to get this band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame NOW. I can’t believe they are not in yet… it’s way past due. 🔥🔥
Mark refuses to sale his soul! F- the RRHF👊
@@Montyhugo I know and I agree and don’t blame him. It’s just shameful for what happened.
@@thor8580 I definitely would check out the induction though! It's just way over do.
Criminal they are not in
They aren't in? Just the image of dude in leather vest with exposed chest is pure quintessential rock.
That's a crowd full of very cool grandparents.
@mark Constanza
Or in some of our cases (Gen Xers) or older millennials, cool parents (Bhouomers). lol. My parents were cool in their days.
Grandparents to our children (younger millennials and Gen Z).
@joesmith8725 hey,I wasn't on Seinfeld! Bahahaha!
@@markcosenza3274 Oh darn. Not Constanza, my mistake, sorry. lol
Seinfeld show was great too!
@joesmith8725 one of my favorite shows!
The crowd is going crazy because they have all heard the studio version. (hint-hint)
That's not why - it's because they are stoned!
@@melissas4874 And when you're stoned you get into the studio version even more.
Great hint!
The original version is epic . Maybe my favorite rock song of all - time.. But at least you got to hear the gist of it . They were huge in the early to mid 70s selling out arenas everywhere. Thanks for a super reaction.
They sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles,simply amazing! They were a great band!
Lol, The Beatles was the first band to sold out the Shea Stadium in earlier 60's... Btw this is a big band as well
I believe that is why their not in the R/R Hall of Fame..(just saying)
Righto ,Mike. Really huge about 70-73 ...Hard to maintain that popularity but American Band was good album ,too. Maybe 73... They maybe haven't reacted to that one. .
They were an ok band. The Beatles were the first band EVER to play in a stadium. Largest crowd up to that time...65'000 fans. That was unheard of in 1965. GFR player Shea in the 1970's. Rock was a lot bigger by that time, so it is no big feat to sell out a concert faster than in 1965. Grand Funk had a few hits then disappeared. Nowhere near the hits The Beatles had. So stop your comparing them. The Beatles were on top of Mount Everest, Grand Funk was at 10 foot level.
@@mgonzales56 They built the everest...
For 3 guys to make so much sound, it was incredible. The audiences could feel it, and reacted to it. I first heard them in 1970. Yeah, they blew me away.
The text book definition of Power Trio.
Yep. Saw them about that time in Seattle, standing room only!!!!
They were truly one of the most exciting groups to witness in concert. Incredible energy and passion as documented on the 1970 Live Album and The 1971 Tour.
That early 70’s show at Shea Stadium looked like it was off the rails. The stands should have collapsed under the jumping crowd. It’s hard to believe that three guys put up that massive wall of sound. Classic real American rockers.
One of the most under rated bands ever... so many hits... Great reaction. Thank you. 😊
This is one of the most iconic songs of all time.
If you listen to the studio version you can hear exactly what he's singing. " I'm getting closer to my home."
After all, it's in the song title. 😁
For so many vets returning to America from the Vietnam war, this became their anthem!
You really need hear the studio version, it's killer.
The crowd is going nuts because this was a big hit at the time.
Their live performances were electrifying. Heard them at Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami in 70 or 71. The concert was sold out when we got there but there was a huge party in the parking lot for us turn aways. Farner said at the beginning "we're gonna turn the volume up so our brothers and sisters outside can hear." Best concert I never saw, lol.
Daniel I bet....but ur old like me ...what other concerts were fantastico? Styx might be my fav concert....oh wait a sec....my all time fav, Karen Carpenter prob was the best for me.... hahaha
The most memorable, although I felt at the time I got ripped off for my $6 ticket, was the Doors March 1st '69 concert, which was also at Dinner Key Auditorium. In that period I saw dozens of concerts all over the Miami and Broward County areas so it's hard to pick the best. Most were 4 to 6 bucks then, but when you made $1 an hour pumping gas that seemed like a lot. There were three I could have gotten tickets for but didn't and missed them, Sinatra on Miami Beach, Hendrix in Miami just before he died, and Elvis. I think I regret not seeing Elvis the most. Crap, maybe I am old, lol.
You are right Brad,hippy days 😊♥️
Brad & Lex, you'll love their "Bad Time"!!
Oh man! This takes me way back. Loveit
Yes. The studio version is a must.
One of my favorite rock bands of all time !!!
Truly love y'all, the crowd's reactions were 70% music/band and 30% drugs. LOL! Remember when and where this was filmed.... 70's NYC 🥴🤪😁
Story of a ship voyage and getting closer to home... y'all rock and make this old man smile 😃
I love seeing young people from previous generations.
Yes, GFR! They were a great band from Michigan. Psychedelic rock, jam band, funk rock, bluesy. Prog rock. Hard rock. Very versatile, hard to pin them down. Just great old rock n roll. Very cool band with many great songs and hits from the late '60s, '70s and early '80s. Too many to list, just read the comments, suggestions from other posters. Check out more of their stuff. Love the bass guitar on their songs. I think this song is about sea sickness on a long trip on a ship? Or a drug trip song, lol. LSD (hippies love this stuff and they had many hippie fans, like in tis video).
Ah, Shea Stadium, home of the smelly NY Mets. lol
These guys were huge in their day, I was a kid but I had teenage cousins that went insane over this band.
Early July, 1971. I was just a little kid but I remember this constantly being played. For a long long time. Well into the 80s. Thank you both for another great reaction.
They're tripping balls!!😜
GFR was absolutely amazing. Each member was extremely talented.
I saw Grand Funk Railroad in concert in the early 70s. They were fantastic and wild. They were hugely popular in the 70s. A riot ensued after the concert.
You kids don't know Grand Funk? The wild shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher? The competent drumwork of Don Brewer?
Didn't Homer Simpson use that description 🤣🤣
People were in the real world, in the moment.....it will soon be a thing of the past the way we are heading. We were indeed fortunate to grow up, experience, travel and party without a device in our hands, made from metals 100s of thousands mine in inhumane conditions (mainly in Congo) and even die for.
Wow,,, a priceless moment in history,,,, yes this song was, as this was the first song my brother recorded for me on 8track tape when he returned from Vietnam, but the priceless moment was that chill smile that came on Brads face when he changed into Closer to My Home,,,,,,,,,, Most the time is Lex who grabs those moments, but Brad,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, This one goes to You Buddy!
That drummer is awesome! I wish they had a camera just on him!!
WOW haven't heard this song in a long time - love it!!! GFR has a bunch of cool songs - they had a completely different funky sound. Thanks so much guys for reacting to this gem.🧡
Was there at Shea Stadium. GFR was one of the loudest at the time!
Love Captain?
Love ship Captain?
It’s funny what you perceive of the 70s.
And it’s “Home”, I’m getting closer to my home.
Those dudes had groupies by the bus load! Y’all should have listened to the studio version.
Great song and version but the studio is where this one shines
Especially the background orchestra ❤
It's because it was so driving and funky. And you have to remember at a concert like that it is going to be loud like really really loud. But you can even do it in your living room. Just put it on at a fairly high-volume and just make it your thing to just dance to it, whatever you feel like doing. You'll see why and plus you have to remember, somebody pays the money goes to all the trouble to manage to get to a concert find some parking, walk along ways, wait forever to get in, get in there and wait forever for the opening band, and then finally the band you're there to see or hopefully you're there to see both of them. That means you're a pretty big fan and so you are just in heaven with adrenaline rush when here you are watching this band right in front of you in real life that you've heard on the radio over and over and on the album or the single that you bought and played on your turntable over and over, and they are louder than anything.
They’re going crazy because this band is f’n incredible!! Keep listening to them. You’ll see.
Saw them couple times live...they ROCKED!!!!
Great concert band, and stadium performers, saw them in 1971 in Seattle with Bloodrock opening the show, GF put on a fantastic show, no one could sit still
They sold out Shea Stadium in seven days. It took the Beatles seven weeks to sell it out. They were only 22 in 1971. Lead singer Mark Farner wrote the song in 1970 when he was 21, saying it was divinely inspired. This was during the height of the Vietnam War, and it resonated in that context. "I'm getting closer to my home" could be about meeting your Maker or finally returning from the war. This concert was their apex, just three years after they formed in 1969 at the age of 20. Grand Funk Railroad: Three guys from Flint, Michigan, tearing it up as a power trio.
This is such a periodic piece. I think unless you have taken LSD this song is kind of hard to fully grasp. Amazing 70s Arena rock! Love it!
You should probably have listened to the studio version, before the live one. If you get time, on your own, you'll understand why the crowd is so excited. This song is on my "stay list". Appreciate the reaction anyways, you guys are always entertaining.👍
That song was huge on the radio with all the studio goodies.
I'm your Captain 🤗
Lol. I saw GFR in Chicago and people were pretty messed up on drugs. One guy climbed way up a pole and I think he fell down. I'm not sure I don't remember that but some guy was naked and they were throwing them around the crowd like beach ball. Nobody let him hit the ground and he didn't get hurt, but I don't think he was with it at all. He was tripped out really bad.
Keep in mind that all that sound was made by only 3 guys. Truly spectacular band! And BTW it's Closer To Home lol 😂😂😂
Grand Funk was popular. Some kinda wonderful.
The people danced and stomped so hard, there were fears the upper levels would collapse.
You should check out the album/studio version of this, it's quite a different experience.
The way the croud was reacting is typical of the 70s . Music was consumed differently back then. Think hat 70s Show. Friends came over and you listened to music. You would sit on the floor and put on an album and,chill . Halfway thru the first song no one was talking. You would just look and give them a nod. They knew exactly what you ment. There were way fewer distractions back then, so you way closer to your friends.
So when you got to the concert , to have the band there, all your friends, the music , ( that you were used to having in a chill environment ) was too overwhelming . Well you went nuts.
God, I do miss those days and my friends !!!
That's the most I said since I known ya.
I really enjoyed this one. Pic.
I've been waiting for this reaction. Unfortunately you chose the live version. It's good but the studio version is where you grab an adult beverage (or a joint), a cigar, turn the lights low and crank that stereo UP!
Same here.
Mark Farner....😍
This is a classic from my high school days (yes I am that old) but I have to say that it always bored me to death. I went straight from Grateful Dead and Frank Zappa to punk rock. Strange but true.
Need the classic, vital, vintage, awesome studio version.
Great point about no cell phones. In fact there wasn't even internet and so to see these bands for the very first time live was often at very exciting thing because it's not like you could just hop on TH-cam and watch music video by them or anything like that or jump on Wikipedia and read all about him. You know them from the radio, you knew them from the albums that you bought and then the posters that you put on your walls that were inside the record albums and what was on the liner notes and what was in Rolling Stone magazine and so forth.
Lex is so cute! Every track, music just flows thru her --- she can't sit still, she can't help herself!! 😊
Grand Funk Railroad was the most popular live band in the world from 1969 through 1975 selling out globally with only a 3 man band. Their sound, energy and talent was off the charts...
The drummer is from my hometown of Swartz Creek, MI. When I was really young in the late 60's I was at a baseball game and I heard music. I asked my mom what's that? She said it's just Mrs. Brewer's son Donny and his friends making noise. I checked a book out of the high school library on The Crusades and noticed he had checked it out years before. I stole the library card for his autograph.
Grand Funk was a great band back then.
The structural engineers almost shut that concert down in fear of a collapse cuz of the the way they were bouncing the bleachers up and down...Salute to my hometown American Band !
Exactly!!
Wish you would have chosen the studio version instead, it's so much better especially through headphones. This is a great road trip song for the highway. I saw them in concert in 1868 in Dania, FL and it was a great show.
This is a sailor's song after spending months on the other side of the world in the Navy, this song describes perfectly what it feels like to be on the way to your home port. And it always brings back memories.
Thanks for this.
Grand Funk Railroad were from Flint Michigan 60 miles north of Detroit. Ted Nugent was from Detroit Michigan Bob Seger from Ann Arbor Michigan . Those 3 cities had some amazing rock and roll. Plus Motown was going strong. The state of Michigan had some great music coming out of its state no matter what you liked. The Railroad that ran through Flint Michigan was called Grand Trunk Railroad and They name themselves after it. Such an Amazing band
And today you have a great band from that area by the name of Greata Van Fleet. They sound like a 70s band only better.
I was living in Grand Blanc at this time. My cousin from Swartz Creek was a classmate of Donny Brewer her younger brother had Brewer's mother as his teacher. We sure did get to see a lot of talent back in the day. Question Mark & the Mysterians, Frijid Pink, Plain Brown Wrapper, MC5 etc.
Grand Funk's first hit, a lot of the crowd likely knew it as well as the band did.
GFR was one hell of Band and Mark was fantastic Guitar player and performer
Twice I drove cross country and played the studio track on the approach when I was about an hour out. What a tune when you've been far away for a while and are finally closing in on home. Home! Great song always! Thx!
GFR...to start my day....YEAH
i've always loved well written lyrics... and this is one of the absolute best... a great epic song..
So good, but this is one that must be listened to in the studio version…It’s sooo good!
Have to remember this is the 70s, stadium full of people, good music and more music to come, smoking roll your own, drinking beverage, good times
Its said this songs about a captain facing a mutiny from his crew and he is poisoned. But in a interview the singer said this song is about the end of the Vietnam war and the troops was starting to come home. GRAND FUNK always underrated they had many great songs.
Hey guys what's up! These guys were as big as Led Zeppelin at one point. I don't know if you guys have done it yet. But check it out the song American band next. You guys rock! God bless you! Peace!
The way the crowd was jumping up and down in the stands it looked like they might break. .o0
FINALLY!! You were absolutely right, everyone I knew back then loved that song! And it was a real ship's Captain that suffered from poisoning when his crew commited mutiny against him. He's getting "closer to home" cuz he's dying. If you ever do another reaction to GFR, PLEASE do "Sin's a Good Man's Brother."
The concerts in the 70's was amazing. There was a show going on all the time and it was cheap. Most tickets was around $10.00. I do miss those days.
was a big song for troops in Viet Nam...all wanting to go home.... 1971 was a heavy fighting year...
IT'S GRAND FUNK.
I saw them live in 1974 and another 5 times over their career. They always put on a great show and never disappointed! This is a classic!
Yes, the studio version is best in this case.
Those old concerts were freaking huge. Back then it was like a religion
I saw them in the 80's at Ft. Carson , CO. Unfortunately it got cut short when the fireworks started a fire. Yes it was the 4th of July.
That BASS Thou!
Man, that was awesome. GFR was the shit. Three guys makin' that much noise.
At their peak back in the 70's, there guys were outdrawing everybody -- Stones, The Who, Alice Cooper, Sly&tFS, etc. Kind of a fluke-- they fell off of the map just as quickly. B&L should check out "Bad Time (to be in Love)" -- now that one swings! And FWIW, I recall that all o f the radio DJ's used to love to refer to them as 'Mark, Don and Mel' more than GFR.
Many artists and bands made and wrote songs that pertained to the Vietnam war, my interpretation of this song is a lost soldier calling out for his commanding officer to take him to his ship and send him home.
A couple hits of window pain and Grand Funk was the best experience!
How three guys can sound like six is a mystery! Like Rush and Cream they were Power Trios!
Out sold the Beatles at Shea. People loved this band.
We all have an inner truth to be set free and some music is
A ship or vehicle to cruise the highway of consciousness
They were one of the best bands ever. They are a case study in bad management. It's unfortunate, but they made their mark. Nice video, I hadn't seen that one.
Closer To Home was their best album. IMO.
check out some more Grand Funk R.R.. = Some Kind Of Wonderful, Get It Together, Mean Mistreater, The Loco-Motion, Shinin' On, I'm Your Captain (studio version) is a must.
I was at that concert... The whole place was literally shaking BIG TIME!
Always diggin on my Grand Funk Railroad in the 70's. Still have my vinyl GFR.
I am told that this was the jam for returning servicemen, that it was played even during transport back to the States from Vietnam.