"We're an American Band" is a No. 1 single by American rock band Grand Funk Railroad. Released on July 2, 1973, from the band's album of the same name, it became the band's first single to top the Billboard charts.[3] Written by Don Brewer and produced by Todd Rundgren, its huge chart success broadened Grand Funk's appeal. In a 2023 interview, Brewer said the song, which stiches together snippets of events from the band's touring life, was written in an effort to garner the band more hits as FM radio stations were transitioning into singles-oriented formats.[4]
| "We're an American Band" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Grand Funk Railroad | ||||
| from the album We're an American Band | ||||
| B-side | "Creepin'" | |||
| Released | July 2, 1973 | |||
| Recorded | June 1973 | |||
| Studio | Criteria (Miami) | |||
| Genre | Hard rock[1][2] | |||
| Length | 3:26 3:31 (2002 remix) | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Don Brewer | |||
| Producer(s) | Todd Rundgren | |||
| Grand Funk Railroad singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Gold vinyl issue | ||||
 Limited edition release | ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "We’re an American Band" on YouTube | ||||
According to Brewer, the song was not a rebuke to British band Humble Pie, who Grand Funk had previously toured with.[5]
It is the 99th song on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs.[6]
Reception
editCash Box said that the "group comes through with powerful, chunky rhythms and meaningful lyrics."[7]
Charts
editCover Versions
editThis article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2021) |
| "We're An American Band" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Poison | ||||
| from the album The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock | ||||
| Released | 2006 | |||
| Recorded | 2006 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Don Brewer | |||
| Poison singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
- Poison (who also recorded for Capitol) covered it and released it as a single with a music video for their The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock (2006) compilation which peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200.[12]
- The song has also been covered by Rob Zombie, Garth Brooks, Phish, Kid Rock, Village People, Rascal Flatts, and others.[13]
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[14] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Tucker, Dan (February 28, 2014). "13 Classic Hard Rock Songs That Will Make You Scream "More Cowbell!"". VH1. Viacom. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (November 15, 2022). "Bon Jovi - "You Give Love a Bad Name". The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal the History of Pop Music. New York: Hachette Book Group. p. 176.
- ^ "We're an American Band (song by Grand Funk Railroad) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. 1973-07-28. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
- ^ "Grand Funk Railroad: The story behind 'We're an American Band'". al.com. October 2023. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ "What Really Inspired Grand Funk's 'We're An American Band'". ultimateclassicrock.com. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ "VH1 Top 100 Hard Rock Songs". Music.spreadit.org. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. July 14, 1973. p. 24. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "RPM100 Singles". Library and Archives Canada. 20 October 1973. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. December 26, 2017.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1973/Top 100 Songs of 1973". musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- ^ "Poison - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
- ^ "Behind the Song: "We're an American Band," by Grand Funk Railroad". 27 February 2020.
- ^ "American single certifications – Grand Funk Railroad – We're an American Band". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 12, 2022.