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 "Country Road" – 4:22 "All You've Got Is Money" – 5:16 "Comfort Me" – 6:48 "Feelin' Alright" – 4:27
Side two "I Want Freedom" – 6:19 "I Can Feel Him in the Morning" – 7:15 "Gimme Shelter" – 6:29
Bonus Tracks – CD release "I Can't Get Along with Society (Outtake) (2002 Remix)" – 5:41 "Jam (Footstompin' Music)" – 4:40 "Country Road" – 7:37 "All You've Got is Money" – 8:18 "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 vocals, placement of the instruments, and musical differences in the playing. There is also a third verse 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 Live: The 1971 Tour (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) Peakposition US Billboard Top LPsGrand Funk Railroad, Survival US Chart Position Retrieved March 23, 20156 Australian National ChartsGrand Funk Railroad, Survival Australian Chart Position Retrieved March 23, 20159 Canada RPM Top AlbumsGrand Funk Railroad, Survival Canadian Chart Position Retrieved March 23, 20154 Singles YearSingleChartPosition1971"Feelin' Alright"Billboard Hot 100Grand Funk Railroad, "Feelin Alright" Chart Position Retrieved March 23, 201554Canada20"Gimme Shelter"Billboard Hot 100Grand Funk Railroad, "Gimme Shelter" US Chart Position Retrieved March 23, 201561Canada49GermanyGrand Funk Railroad, "Gimme Shelter" German Chart Position Retrieved March 23, 201542
Influences The song "Country Road" was covered by the group High Voltage for their 1972 self-titled album.Cash Box, October 7, 1972 - Page 19 cash box / singles reviews, Choice Programming, HIGH VOLTAGE (Columbia 45701) Country Road
References