Grand Funk’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” – All Music Guide
Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand Funk is one of the best tracks on the album of the same name. It’s a perfect example of the band’s signature sound, a mix of hard rock and soul. The song was written by guitarist Mark Farner and bassist Mel Schacher, and it’s one of their most popular tunes.
Introduction
When Grand Funk Railroad scored their first hit with a cover of “(I’m Your) Captain/Closer to Home” in early 1970, the group found themselves lumped in with the burgeoning hard rock/heavy metal movement despite their more straightforward, working-class rock & roll roots. It didn’t help that the group’s image was integral to their initial success, as they were championed by underground FM radio and embraced by the burgeoning anti-hippie movement (they even had a song, “Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother,” that directly attacked peace and love). But while it’s true that Grand Funk could be loud and brash, at their best they knew how to craft strong melodies and write radio-friendly hooks; furthermore, they weren’t above adapting their sound to whatever was popular at the moment, thereby ensuring their continued popularity as musical trends shifted. The result was a series of gold and platinum albums that kept them on the charts throughout the ’70s.
The Song
“Some Kind of Wonderful” is a song by the American rock band Grand Funk Railroad. It was released in February 1974 as a single from the band’s album We’re an American Band. The song was written by band members Mark Farner and Don Brewer.
The Writing Process
It took just a few hours for the grand funk railroad to write and record “some kind of wonderful.” The band’s primary songwriter, Mark Farner, came up with the main riff while fooling around on his guitar. The rest of the song fell into place quickly, with the band adding a few small embellishments in the studio. The result was a classic slice of high-energy 1970s rock & roll.
The Recording Process
In the studio, the band worked quickly, cutting most of the songs in one or two takes. The rapidity of the sessions was likely a result of the fact that Grand Funk had been touring and playing many of these songs live for months before entering the studio. Most of the tracks were cut live in the studio with little or no overdubbing. Al Kooper, who had produced Grand Funk’s first two albums, was brought in to co-produce this album with Mark Farner.
Kooper later recalled that, “They were just so tight as a unit, it was ridiculous… They wanted to play live in the studio and they did not want to hear anything that smacked of ‘studio trickery.’ I had to fight them tooth and nail to get them to even consider doubling a bass or guitar part.” This approach gives the album a raw and immediate feel, which is one of its main strengths.
The Music Video
The music video for “Some Kind of Wonderful” was directed by rock photographer Joel Bernstein. It was filmed in February 1976 in various locations in and around Los Angeles, California. The band is seen performing the song in various settings, including a soundstage, an airport runway, and a junkyard.
Grand Funk Railroad – Some Kind of Wonderful (Official Music Video)
Watch the official music video for “Some Kind of Wonderful” by Grand Funk Railroad
From the album “Grand Funk Lives!”
Available on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/gfr_omnibus_it
Available on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/gfr_omnibus_amzn
Conclusion
Grand Funk’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” is a fun, upbeat song that is perfect for a summer road trip. The lyrics arecatchy and the melody is memorable. The production values are high, and the song sounds great on any stereo system. This is a perfect example of a light rock song that will get your foot tapping and put a smile on your face.
