"We're an American Band" is a song 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. 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 stitches 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.
According to Brewer, the song was not a rebuke to British band Humble Pie, who Grand Funk had previously toured with.
It is the 99th song on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs.
Reception Cash Box said that the "group comes through with powerful, chunky rhythms and meaningful lyrics."
Personnel Don Brewer – lead vocals, cowbell, drums Mark Farner – guitar, backing vocals Mel Schacher – bass Craig Frost – clavinet, Moog synthesizer, Hammond organ, backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1973)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)87Canada RPM Top Singles4U.S. Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - 1
Year-end charts Chart (1973) RankCanada21U.S. Billboard Hot 10023
Certifications
Poison version
In 2006 the American glam-metal band Poison recorded a cover of the song and released it as a promotional single for their compilation album The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock, released on April 4, 2006, peaking at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 and was accompanied with an official music video
Poison also included their cover of the track on their June 2007 full-length cover album Poison'd!.
Other versions The song has also been covered by Rob Zombie, Garth Brooks, Phish, Kid Rock, Village People, Rascal Flatts, among others.
References
External links "We're an American Band" by Grand Funk Songfacts