Survival (Grand Funk Railroad album) explained

Survival is the fourth studio album by American rock band Grand Funk Railroad, released in April 1971 by Capitol Records. Recorded at Cleveland Recording Company, the album was produced by Terry Knight. Drummer Don Brewer was not 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 use the technique in the Beatles' film Let It Be (1970).

Track listing

All tracks written by Mark Farner unless 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 (Remix)" – 5:41
2. "Jam (Footstompin' Music)" – 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 (1971), 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 (1975), Bosnia (1997), and (recorded in 1971, released in 2002).

Personnel

• Mark Farner – vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards
• Mel Schacher – bass
• Don Brewer – vocals, drums
• Terry Knight – producer

2002 Remaster

• David K. Tedds – produced & compiled for reissue by
• Kevin Flaherty – supervising A&R producer
• Jimmy Hoyson – bonus track mix engineer
• Evren Göknar – mastering engineer
• Kenny Nemes – project manager
• Michelle Azzopardi – reissue creative direction
• Neil Kellerhouse – reissue art direction, design
• Steve Roeser – liner notes
• Brendan Gormley – editorial supervision
• Bryan Kelley – production
• Shannon Ward – production

LP extras

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

Chart (1971)	Peak position
US Billboard Top LPs[2]	6
Australian National Charts[3]	9
Canada RPM Top Albums[4]	4

Singles

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1971	"Feelin' Alright"	Billboard Hot 100[5]	54
		Canada	20
	"Gimme Shelter"	Billboard Hot 100[6]	61
		Canada	49
		Germany[7]	42

Notes and References

1. Billboard. 46. Album Reviews. May 1, 1971. Anon.. Google Books. July 2, 2019.
2. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/grand-funk-railroad-mn0000659517/awards Grand Funk Railroad, Survival US Chart Position
3. http://www.poparchives.com.au/gosetcharts/ Grand Funk Railroad, Survival Australian Chart Position
4. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5364&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3 Grand Funk Railroad, Survival Canadian Chart Position
5. http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=Feelin%27+Alright+by+Grand+Funk+Railroad&id=18250 Grand Funk Railroad, "Feelin Alright" Chart Position
6. http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=Gimme+Shelter+by+Grand+Funk+Railroad&id=18251 Grand Funk Railroad, "Gimme Shelter" US Chart Position
7. http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Grand+Funk+Railroad/single Grand Funk Railroad, "Gimme Shelter" German Chart Position