Survival (Grand Funk Railroad album)


Survival is Grand Funk Railroad's fourth studio album and was released in April 1971 by Capitol Records. It was produced by Terry Knight. Drummer Don Brewer was never happy with the drum sound on the album, due to Knight's insistence of having Brewer cover his drum heads with tea-towels, after seeing Ringo Starr using that technique in the Beatles' film Let It Be.

Track listing

All songs by Mark Farner except where noted.
Side one
  1. "Country Road" – 4:22
  2. "All You've Got is Money" – 5:16
  3. "Comfort Me" – 6:48
  4. "Feelin' Alright" – 4:27
Side two
  1. "I Want Freedom" – 6:19
  2. "I Can Feel Him in the Morning" – 7:15
  3. "Gimme Shelter" – 6:29
Bonus Tracks – CD release
  1. "I Can't Get Along with Society " – 5:41
  2. "Jam " – 4:40
  3. "Country Road" – 7:37
  4. "All You've Got is Money" – 8:18
  5. "Feelin' Alright" – 5:57

    Differences in Bonus Tracks

The bonus tracks on the 2002 reissue labeled "Original Version" have extended sections and extra lyrics compared to the tracks as released on the original LP.
"Feelin' Alright" is a different take of the song, as heard by the different inflections in the lead vocal, placement of the instruments in the stereo mix, and musical differences in the playing. Additionally, a third verse is included that is not in the LP version.
"Footstompin' Music" became a staple at Grand Funk Railroad's concerts, having been recorded at the Survival sessions but not included on the original release. It was brought into their next album setlist, E Pluribus Funk, with a slightly different arrangement and without the word "Jam" on its title. The song is featured on the live albums Caught in the Act, Bosnia, and .

Musicians

The original LP release came with 8x10 photos of each of the three bandmembers, in similar poses as the caveman image of the three from the album cover.

Charts

Album
YearChartPeak Position
1971Billboard 2006
1971Australia9
1971Canada4

Singles
YearSingleChartPosition
1971"Feelin' Alright"Billboard Hot 10054
1971"Feelin' Alright"Canada20
1971"Gimme Shelter"Billboard Hot 10061
1971"Gimme Shelter"Canada49
1971"Gimme Shelter"Germany42