I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home) - Grand Funk Railroad | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!

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[@stevebrowning2044]

In concert Mark Farner dedicated this song to returning Viet Nam vets. Quite a moment to witness live.

[@brianmoon1058]

he's about as good a person as there is in the music business

[@villebillie1562]

That's kind of weird in a way because the Captain only thought he was getting closer to home because he was dying. So it would be comparable to a soldier dying on the battlefield, not one who came home alive.

[@stevebrowning2044]

@@villebillie1562 In hind sight it can seem weird, but at the time for soldiers and marines who were in country and getting short, hearing "I'm getting closer to my home" was something that gave them hope. Farner dedicating the song to them was in response to their adopting the song as their anthem.

[@Challengerscatpack50]

I saw them in 1972. Great concert. Mark Farner ran out without his shirt on and the girls loved it. From what I’ve read about the guitar he used then, was a Muiscraft Messenger, but he got it to sound so good and different. The bass player was awesome too. His sound was hard hitting and helped fill the sound when Farner played lead. What a time and what a band.

[@josephcarino5829]

Are you guys ok. Lmao. Great video

[@ernestolopezdevictoria8512]

The Captain at the end of the song, the repeat of "getting closer to my home", he was killed in the mutiny described in the first part of the song. In the end he is getting closer to home, as his spirit is departing for somewhere else. Notice how faint his voice gradually gets in the ending, even before the fadeout. It gets weaker and begins to reverberate as the strings, and flute gets louder like he is getting further and further away from life.

[@realjaxon]

I never heard this before. I didn't know there was a storyline to it.

[@OscarRuiz-gj3mp]

Great take on this song! I like it!

[@rw2629]

Exactly right!! A&A, I'm in Wesley Chapel. Hope to run into y'all at the Strawberry Festival one day.

[@rik2tr]

Well said Ernesto

[@patrickstracener5329]

" It [his voice] gets weaker and begins to reverberate as the strings, and flute gets louder like he is getting further and further away from life." ..and the symphonic melody of the background getting louder, IMO, represents what he's moving towards. Thumbs up, Ernesto!

[@clintonsmith5163]

When Mark Farner heard the finished song for the first time he cried. That's when you know that you have created something special.

[@Straydogger]

"Footstomping Music" is a banger for sure.

[@charlescroasmun1039]

You finally did it. Thank you. We’re An American Band was so three years later. Next up could be any of the following from the 1969-1972 era. Heartbreaker, Paranoid, Into the Sun, Footstompin Music, Upsetter, Gimme Shelter, Time Machine, Feeling Alright, T. N. U. C. ( yes that’s the title… great drum solo in the middle) 😊❤️👍🎸🎼🎵🇺🇸

[@garysheffield5445]

Footstompin music live

[@scottingram7634]

Forget Some Kind Of Wonderful until you've hit most of E Pluribus Funk. Much better GFR on that album.

[@keefmack]

Hell yes it is. The live opener version from “Caught In The Act”

[@loudog2326]

@@garysheffield5445 Rock n Roll Soul, Another Great Song !!!

[@bodhisattva3774]

This was huge in 1970 and a fave of this 14 year old at the time. 🤟

[@wicky4473]

Ditto!!

[@anmana7]

still my favorite from them

[@dana_brooke_27]

I was 9 and couldn't get enough of them. I was a bit ahead of myself in music.

[@OscarRuiz-gj3mp]

Same age, same time! good old days of my youth....hahaha!

[@wicky4473]

@@dana_brooke_27 you were!

[@Wordsmyth8]

I’ve heard this song really resonated with soldiers returning from Vietnam at the time. Especially the line, I’m getting closer to my home.

[@joeybee1914]

My dad is a Vietnam vet and many years ago this came on the radio as we were driving, I could sense the emotional response from my pops.

[@K1ng1995]

Well imagine being 17 and being at the sign up sheet and hearing "I'm getting closer to my home" you start thinking "This country is my home, not Vietnam"

[@arkhllraiser]

Yes

[@gfrrfandoe8044]

In fact, this song was voted #1 by the Vietnam veterans................

[@loudog2326]

@@joeybee1914 Well I Have A Memory About The Vietnam Era I'd Like To Share With You( This Was Before This Song ) This One Day Back In 1968 We ( Me, My Mom and Brother and Sister ) Were Picking Up My Dad From Work and Caddy Corner From His Place of Employment Was An Armed Forces Induction Center. This Particular Day There Were All These Green Busses Full of Recruit's, I'll Never Forget The Look on Some of There Faces As They Drove By, To Me ( I Was 8 ) ( Thinking Back As A Grown Man Now ) Them Saying I Wish I Was You, Knowing That They Were Probably Going To Vietnam and Might Not Come Back !!!True Story !!! My Dad Was A Korean War Veteran and Supported Those Troop's 100 % !!! Thank's For Your Father's Service !!! My Cousin Died Over There !!! R.I.P. Richard Paul Martinez SP4 Died Thua Thien Province 5/19/1968 !!!

[@loudguitar]

It’s hard for me to hear this without tearing up. Both because I LOVED Grand Funk and this hit me in my early teen years when everything was new and exciting. This was the third album they had released in 12 months. The beginning of that guitar solo….man. I saw and met Mark Farner a couple of years ago and he signed my ticket stub from August 28, 1970. It felt like closure. Played in lots of cover bands and we finally had the right people and gear to nail this in the mid 90s. It was hard to stay composed all the way through. Play this at my funeral.

[@pattyliedel6485]

When you live thru a song and the song lives thru you and you live thru a song. ❤

[@hak4890]

SAME.

[@kristyjewell4610]

That's amazing. I'm glad you had that moment with Mark.

[@TerryFlynn-sd1ho]

I turned 13 in 1970 and was a musician, I eventually saw G F in the mid 70S, There were So Many Good bands during that Time!

[@EB-wl9st]

This song tells a tragic tale..... Mutiny. And as he's dying, he's getting closer to his home .....

[@thelowe6393]

This song just smells like the 70's. GFR were so representative of great, American long-haired hippie rock 'n roll! It was an awesome time to be growing up and hearing songs like this. All 3 members were just excellent musicians.

[@johnboydTx]

Back when FM radio ruled the air waves!!!!!! Great song😋👍 I miss those times 🍻😎👍💙💚💛💜✌👋

[@salinagrrrl69]

AM too. FM in those daze twaz long play college stations I dug.

[@Wordsmyth8]

It was AM back in the day,

[@johnboydTx]

@@salinagrrrl69 AM was top 40 , country, news?? FM was freedom of exploration of progressive and alternative 😋👍

[@OscarRuiz-gj3mp]

@@salinagrrrl69 FM was ''Underground, Maaan...! Till almost the mid 70s ,then it got Corporate and lame pretty fast.

[@BlazinRiver1]

FM???? FM was NOT playing this kind of music back when GFR was hot. Classical music was on FM...Beethoven, Bach...those guys. Hell only on albums and 8 tracks would you hear GFR. There were VERY few FM stations for hard rock. None in the midwest...lol WSL was all we could get ....haha

[@rundoetx]

At the time of this release Grand Funk Railroad was the # 1 band in America. They were incredible live and they toured solid for two years. I saw them at least 6 times and never got tired of them. A classic American band. Not at the time, but today they are highly underrated. Heavy rotation on my turntable to this day.

[@kimsullivan5576]

This song never had an ending. To me, I still believe that it's a genuine + unique classic from one of our legendary Rock bands, ever. Thank you, GFR. ☮️

[@stuartalexander2657]

Keep this in mind: At the end, if you listen, the band is stepping into the background and letting the strings take front and center. That's key. They weren't getting lazy or mindlessly repetitive.....they put ego aside and let the strings step up and take over. Brilliantly done, IMHO.

[@kikovazquez7277]

Yeah, sounds like it was produced by George Martin.

[@georgewodicka4839]

An S tier song from an S tier band. An all-time, all American rock powerhouse. First 6 albums, all gold. 19 charted singles, 8 top 40s, 2 number ones. And again, sold out stadiums, and sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles. Fact.

[@chrismartin6370]

And…. still not in the hall of fame…smh

[@georgewodicka4839]

@@chrismartin6370 Exactly what I ranted about in my last comment regarding this band. Criminal.

[@terptek1]

@@chrismartin6370 Expecting an insane asylum to make sense 🤣

[@zq9m3xh8]

Not being in the R&R Hall of Fame is more of a badge of honor these days.

[@georgewodicka4839]

@@zq9m3xh8 You are correct.... Grand Funk Railroad Steppenwolf Badfinger Three Dog Night Styx Boston Kansas The Guess Who Emerson, Lake, And Palmer!!!!!! I could go on...

[@MongooseTales]

One of my all-time favorites. I agree it's not everyone's cup of tea, but when you understand the song's meaning (which many other posts have pointed out) and listen to it with that in mind it's positively haunting. The contrast between the fear of being killed and the peacefulness of actually dying is conveyed beautifully by the song's tonal change.

[@blackwolf6082]

So I was 10 years old when this came out in 1970. This song was epic in ways that other songs from this time period were not. This song has remained a staple in my library ever since because hearing it stirs all kind of emotions. I think today, being exposed to thousands of songs, has created a callous to the nuances of this beautiful song and how it was produced. You guys totally missed how it started simply and evolved into a journey of the ears which included a symphony of sounds. JMO

[@mowerdan8133]

True, they focused on the repetition of the last portion of song. They barely spoke of the other sections prior, which had many nuances & sudden shifts in style.

[@awe1970]

Totally, I didn't get into GFR until much later because I wasn't 10 until 1980. Styx and Rush produced music that sounded like no other. This song also sounded like nothing else.

[@georgedowd5277]

I was 13, living in the suburbs of Detroit, about half way between Detroit and Flint where this band was formed. We had just discovered FM radio…. (I left a “comment” you might appreciate.) Rock on Sir. ☮️

[@juliemanarin4127]

Me too! I remember it well as I was listening to rock since I was 5 after seeing the Stones on Ed Sullivan! I was hooked for life!

[@quinny6920]

Very well said

[@sirslice]

The captain repeated the phrase in his mind as he was dieing during the mutiny. GFR... one of the all time Great bands of the 70's! This song (and the vibe it created during that era) is nothing less than S tier. It's FAR superior than "We're an American Band" in so many ways. Guys, I guess you can't feel what you haven't experienced... and that's not your fault.

[@ChrisLawton66]

Of course, some of us are old enough to have experienced the era and still prefer "We're an American Band".

[@johnnymartin49]

Facts!!! 😎

[@michaeljohnson6886]

Not facts. Opinions.

[@donmcneal233]

Again; not quite & nice sentiment. Check my comment above. I know; I read the headlines & watch the news about it. Then I went to Nam.

[@lindaingallsobrien4217]

Thank You for your service. That sound so lame, but I really do mean it. I was born in 1961. My 2 male older cousins both went to Nam. I just remember us visiting them and both guys had long hair & said nothing the entire visit. I am very glad they survived and that you did also! We American's totally screwed up on everything, coming home, etc., but I thank you so much for you service.

[@kathy2122]

RIP to Sweet, Sweet Connie Hamzy from We're an American Band fame.

[@chrislegner4816]

Amen. If she isn't in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she should be.

[@OscarRuiz-gj3mp]

''She's done the whole show, and thats a natural fact!'' ~Yep! RIP

[@dennisholiday1868]

Like I said before she will be in The Hall Of Fame before Grand Funk Railroad.

[@michaelkeller4090]

As previously a sailor who lived on a ship, I appreciate the crashing wave sounds, the sea gulls, and the message 'I'm getting closer to my home'. This was exactly what I and others on the ship were thinking as we were cruising back to home port.

[@stephenclark3774]

This song came out when I was sea with the USS Yosemite in 1970 and it was a anthem of mine from then on. Great Band!

[@BJMauck]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

[@PK1971PK]

FYI, in Grank Funk's "We're an American Band", they sing of "Sweet, sweet Connie" in Little Rock. That was real person Connie Hamzy, a famous groupie, but she unfortunately passed away last week.

[@BobbyGeneric145]

RIP Sweet Connie!

[@mikehagerty4297]

They didn't go from "We're An American Band" to this----this was three years before "We're An American Band". That said, this is very melodic and expansive, atypical for Grand Funk at any point in their career.

[@Rhiannon011]

Exactly "American band" is "later" where GFR became more "pop" hits on radio. "I'm your Captain was way before that. In my humble opinion their older songs like the first 3 years or so albums, they were epic, "raw" and fantastic. Mark Farner is like no one else, as he does all of it (still does on his own) guitar, harmonica, lead singer and keyboards! When the main lead singer in a band can multi-task during live performances, that's when you know they are "multi-facet" talented. It's not easy to sing, play lead guitar and harmonica all in one song right? I saw them live at the forum in Los Angeles in 73 or 74 not sure. They were EPIC! When we left the concert our ears rang for 2 days I swear it was so loud and great! I shall never forget it!

[@Mikes5276]

Love this song. Hits a little harder as this was the stuff that I'd listen to as my Dad was driving in the car. Just lost him in May and ALL my musical taste started with his record collection of 60's and 70's rock. Miss you Dad!

[@anneaires3984]

What a beautiful sound....wish we could go back to that time....thank you GFR!

[@abdullahfadullah]

This song was a favorite of those serving in Vietnam. Dreaming of getting closer to home.

[@danmcconnell5941]

The wild, shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher? The competent drum work of Don Brewer?

[@myratatano5187]

Absolutely love Mel Schacher's bass genius on their cover of Inside Looking Out. 💕

[@Manageode]

S tier. This song is Completely an S. But I am perhaps going against the grain on Inside Looking Out (not the bass. The song as a whole) I never could get into that. in fact it never got radio play where I grew up. I never heard of it until reaction channels, where it gets requested. That just goes to show we all feel music differently, so I guess I'll get over what I perceive to be a too-low rating from A & A on I'm your Captain.

[@Luckygirlisjelly]

😄 love the Simpsons reference 👍

[@beverlyoyarzun3326]

D’oh!😖

[@OscarRuiz-gj3mp]

@Donatella Loncar Hey! I love cid and weed to this day so....

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I'd prefer this song any day over *"We're an American Band".* It's a good song, but *"I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home"* is awesome!

[@alrivers2297]

Definitely!

[@JayCross]

Yes, GFR started out very strong, but got sloppy after their first album. By 1972 they had a reputation as being uninspired and unrehearsed in concert.

[@donges87]

For sure!

[@richlp]

It's no Loco-motion, though...

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@richlp I love their cover of *"The Loco-Motion".*

[@dennis2966]

It's kind of hard for me, and probably others of my age group, to hear the songs that we grew up with, and considered S tier classics, to be called B and A- songs now. Some of these songs were nothing short of genius, and brought a generation of young people together. You guys are growing up in a different world today, so I suppose these 60s and 70s classics don't resonate with you the way they did with us back then. Still, I give you two an S for a very well done channel.

[@kinksfan9781]

A song I thought a masterpiece back in 1970 may cause me to cringe now. Every song is different of course, but in general I like to think that my critical faculties are sharper now than when I was 15.

[@bobbabai]

Yep, you can't expect people who grow up with highly different experience and shared culture to have the same reaction to another person's cherished music. It's just not reasonable. At the same time, though, some young people do get wrapped up in today's nostalgia about yesterday's music and they react as if that past music is •their• past. A good example of this is Shanelle Riccio's recent reaction to the movie Almost Famous. Her praise for the movie is correctly more about the quality casting and screenplay, but she does go on at length about the soundtrack and how much it resonates with her. And she is something like 25 years old.

[@bobbabai]

@@kinksfan9781 Well, •why• does it make you cringe now? A claim of sharper critical thinking rings a little hollow unless you explain your critique.

[@kinksfan9781]

@@bobbabai I was making a general point that as we mature and grow we (hopefully) grow more discerning. I don't need to explain my particular critique of a particular song to bolster that point. If you believe that we become less discerning as we mature, say so.

[@bobbabai]

@@kinksfan9781 ohhhh, ok. I get you now. I was thinking you were critiquing this song without really saying anything about it. My mistake.

[@richmiddlebrook3103]

A&A - Did you catch that the reason the Captain is getting closer to his home is because he's being choked to death during a mutiny?

[@loosilu]

I never caught that!

[@lizmarch4000]

no way! oh my gosh I'll have to go look up the lyrics. WOW

[@rubentullenaar2934]

@@lizmarch4000 check the lyrics “I can feel the hand of a stranger And it's tightening around my throat Heaven help me, Heaven help me Take this stranger from my boat”

[@zephead64]

I always considered the lyrics and story completely metaphorical... But that is an interesting take for sure.

[@jim5388]

He was poisoned by his crew. Thus the line i'm feeling mighty sick.

[@DonII1980]

This album is one of their best... gotta hit "Sins a Good Man's Brother", "Aimless Lady", "Nothing is the Same" and "Mean Mistreater" from same album!!

[@aileenturrietta7553]

I must have played "Mean Mistreater" until the grooves wore out.

[@jefftaylor2595]

Sins a Good Man’s Brother has been on my heavy rotation lately. Great fuzz guitar riff too

[@BlazinRiver1]

I grew up with GFR...to hear them judged by that top 40 teeny bopper song they wrote sucks. The Red album is another classic.

[@earldeanpowell]

Mean Mistreater is overlooked MONSTER! My first album. That week bought this, CTA, In-a-godda-da-vida. We had MUSIC, people

[@lonaburgess7724]

And "I Don't Have to Sing the Blues".

[@johndev2212]

Mark Farner has always had an incredible soulful voice.

[@wicky4473]

This is the song that every school rock band would play at dances. And every basement party. Whiskey…

[@cnatview]

I was going to say the same thing, Wicky. I remember it being played at school dances and because it was long and because at certain points you could slow dance, many of the "serious relationship" couples would slow dance all the way through it. As a young teen I would just think, "wow". lol

[@wicky4473]

@@cnatview ahhh, yes…great memories.

[@williammilheim8141]

Lot of sound for a three man group. Saw them in NY it was my first concert in the mid 70's I was hooked. Great group.

[@jameswalls4172]

I was in the Air Force stationed in Italy almost 30 years ago,as a cook. Every Sunday morning( I was a cook),Armed Forces Radio had a classic rock show with the same songs on a loop every week.After 2 years,when this song would come on,it would be me praying to get closer to home.

[@murrayspiffy2815]

Glad you made it home. Hope home was what you thought it would be. You probably long for Italy on some dark summers night.

[@1BobsYourUncle]

What base? I was stationed in San Vito, Italy. Best time of my life. ✌🏻

[@jameswalls4172]

@@1BobsYourUncle I was stationed at Aviano.

[@lly8598]

Thank you for your service. Xo

[@jerm154]

@@1BobsYourUncle I too was stationed at San Vito! ‘89-‘92

[@yogarose255]

Story of a mutiny. He’s getting closer to “home” because he’s dying. Murdered.

[@donmcneal233]

Again no! Check my comment above. It was my generation kids! I know because I read the headlines & watch the news about it. The 2 bands mentioned did an abstract rock homage to that incident. Then I went to Nam.

[@robny1461]

A 10 minute prog-ish record, from a band most people associate with short bangin' rockers. Perfect for stoning out on your 1970s bed.

[@retrorhon63]

Yeah, water bed for me...😉

[@robny1461]

@@retrorhon63, yep, that sounds about right!

[@kenterenchin]

This song was a must listen to when I was growing up!

[@JBASH2011]

At the end, it's the orchestra piece that becomes the "lead" that is constantly varying and the vocals become the solid rhythm section.

[@kenperk9854]

MARTIAN BOOGIE!

[@stuartmortensen6033]

@@kenperk9854 That would be Brownsville Station.

[@kato0828]

Hadn’t really realized how great rock radio was back in the day. There’d be no problem playing 10 min epics like this and Shine on You Crazy Diamond or Low Spark of High Heeled Boys and Freebird, Stranglehold, Funeral For A Friend - geez they just let the long songs play.

[@matthewdrake4385]

Longer songs on radio were usually a sure fire sign that the radio dj was on a smoke, bathroom or meal break. and it worked out for the listeners favor as well.

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

That's because DJ's just played what they wanted. They didn't have playlists rammed down their throats like they do now

[@cherylhurst7093]

A lot of radio stations cut songs at 3 minutes back in the 70s. I remember we had to buy the albums if we wanted to hear the entire song - or if you owned the album you would get upset when hearing the song in its cut format on the radio.

[@cindynau8068]

"Foot Stompin" Music" guys...."Foot Stompin' Music." Oh, and let me suggest "Foot Stompin" Music" for your next GFR banger. The bass and the voice/guitar echo, off the charts.

[@kimchristianson9134]

Totally agree!

[@jimmytaylor9854]

Oh wait, are you talking about Foot Stompin’ Music??

[@cindynau8068]

@@jimmytaylor9854 Oh, yes, that's the one!!! Foot Stompin' Music!

[@BlazinRiver1]

I learned the keyboard part on a Hammond B3 that was in the chappal our band practiced in. that was in 1972....I was in the 8th grade...lol

[@garysheffield5445]

Especially the live version

[@chrislegner4816]

This one never gets old. Brilliant on every level and definitely creates a mood.

[@fallout51]

This was what I listened to the first time I got stoned. It seemed like it lasted hours and they sang "I'm getting closer to my home" 26 times...& I loved it, still do😁

[@JSBIRD69]

I was 17 when this dropped, and we couldn't get enough of it. Now, it comes across as an American version of a Who or Moody song.

[@daveking9393]

Oh boy!!! Thank you so very much!!!! So sweet!!!! Three friggin guys, such a great sound

[@OscarRuiz-gj3mp]

You guys are the Gold, nay the Platinum Standard of reaction videos! ......and Jamal is a close runner -up. Lol !

[@myratatano5187]

These guys give great technical skill critiques while Jamal rates from his heart. It's a difference between right vs left-brain perception.

[@adamp2029]

Jamel

[@OscarRuiz-gj3mp]

@@adamp2029 AKA....

[@stephaniethurmer5370]

Love this and I have not even watched it yet. I believe this is probably my favorite GFR work. Mark, Don and Mel thanks for the great music

[@byronmitchell3784]

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, "I'M YOUR CAPTAIN/CLOSER TOO HOME".. THE ICONIC HIT SONG...WHY THEY SOLD OUT SHEA STADIUM FASTER THE BEATLES...

[@BlazinRiver1]

And why Led Zepplin kicked them off the tour. People were coming to see GFR not LZ.

[@ChuckHackney]

To me, by far, their best song by far......so beautiful, anthemic, and brings back memories of cruising with my friends in my car on a warm, sultry Carolina evening. We're all getting closer to our home!

[@andrewpuckett5295]

I had forgotten how much i love this baseline.

[@DeanUSAman]

Mark Farner has said he prayed to God for a song that would be a blessing to people... the song that came to him is this one...

[@joelliebler5690]

You guys are right these longer songs show what these great bands have to offer and this is one of the best!I was thirteen when I listened to this off of my brother’s album by Grand Funk Railroad!

[@Supercell725]

So your a 57 model also Joel, it was a good year

[@joelliebler5690]

I’m a JFK child!

[@robertperrella4194]

i remember back in 1992 when ringo starr had his all star band when mark farner (lead guitar,lead vocals,songwriter) toured with ringo starr !!!!!!!!!!! of course " i'm your captain/closer to home)" mark and ringo starr's all star band jammed together where the BASS PLAYER WAS JOHN ENTWISTLE OF THE WHO !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stephanieo2509]

Mark Farner performed this with Ringo's All Star Band when he toured with them, and it was an amazing experience to hear him do it live and have the audience just sing along.

[@dennisholiday1868]

Like I said before did Ringo thanked Mark for not covering any of The Beatles songs. I think Grand Funk Railroad could have did a good cover of a Beatles song.

[@paulschirf9259]

When I was a kid I sat and counted the number of times "I'm getting closer to my home" was repeated. I enjoyed the many repeated confirmation counts. The things we do as kids.

[@larvt]

I was one of those kids that counted the number of times, “I’m getting closer to my home”.

[@MongooseTales]

Don't tell me! It's been 50 years and I've been careful NEVER to count that. It somehow makes the song better (at least for me) to get lost in the repetition and not know for sure (other than by familiarity with the evolving orchestration) exactly when we've made it to the end.

[@colleenmonfross4283]

This song was written specifically for our boys serving in Vietnam. For that reason alone, it deserves total respect and appreciation.

[@stardust164]

I'm sitting in the rec room with my brothers and maybe a friend or two, listening to this album. Toronto, Canada 1973?? this is an EXCELLENT memory! thanks Andy & Alex! ROCK!

[@jeffking4176]

Suggest: E.L.O. “ FIRE ON HIGH”, It’s a little bit different from the other E.L.O. Songs you’ve done. 📻🙂

[@SaverioP]

Been after them for months about that one, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. Hell, they didn't even include it in last Friday's poll for ELO songs.

[@elza32358]

An AMAZING song!!!

[@paulsullivan1650]

Mark Farner (guitar/lead vocals), Mel Schacher (bass), and Don Brewer (drums) Farner said he dreamed some of it. He woke up at 3:00 am and began writing the lyrics to it. Later that morning, he grabbed his Washburn flat top acoustic and went to strum the G chord, but for some reason hit the C chord. He thought that somehow was spiritual and kept it in there. He said that most people think it's about the ship's captain being killed. "Not so" he said. "It's basically about the captain feeling sick, and thinking he may somehow lose his vessel. Until he begins seeing the shoreline to home".

[@gbeachbum464]

This song grew on me over the years. It’s awesome and so unique.

[@KathySandru]

When u listen to this song you sometimes forget there are only 3 members of this band performing. I saw GFR perform this live & they’re a rare band (next to the Police) who sound almost like their recordings live.

[@Shadowrider1872]

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY! ☮️❤️♾️

[@normanleroy1874]

Good morning, John H !

[@cindyp1033]

I have heard this song since it first came out but never heard it through earphones until today 😲 Always liked it but this is a treat! Love it!

[@Manageode]

Earphones have sure changed earlier rock for me.

[@cindyp1033]

@@Manageode yes, so much!

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Maybe that's why I just thought, yeah, meh; not greatly moved but will replay through 'phones next listen and be prepared to have a change of heart

[@stevenkerr8965]

Great song. One of my all time favorites. I like the contrast between the raw sound of Captain, and the orchestration of Closer to Home. Really gets the job done.

[@Jill-ni8fe]

I feel it’s a spiritual song. This song will grow on you trust me: it’s a vibe 🙏🏻❤️

[@BoomerMcBoom]

Their best track IMO.

[@pinewaves]

I have never heard this song before but I love it in an intellectual way. It's very profound about a captain pleading against his mutineers while being strangled to death. His spirit is finally going home (heaven or his home port?).

[@joelliebler5690]

Ashes Are Burning by Renaissance with Annie Haslam’s 5 octave voice leading the way! You guys will love it.

[@johndunkelberger8431]

The studio version with Andy Powell as guest guitar. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5KWnHaQh7Cdars

[@Walkerbtween]

Without a doubt, one of Annie's most beautiful, vocally, pieces. However, I think these guys would be more inclined towards the more upbeat, Carpet of the Sun.

[@joelliebler5690]

@@Walkerbtween probably true!

[@donmcneal233]

Okay, I'm confused..., I followed Renaissance pre '70's & Annie & onward. (Honorable mention to Fairport Convention / Sandy Denny / The Strawbs.) Are you referring "Renaissance" were in on GFR's I'm Your Captain recording...?! Or "they" are that great of a band! As for the gist of this song & Blues Image's Mystery Ship; read my comment above. It was my generation kids! I know because I read the headlines & watch the news about it. The 2 bands mentioned did an abstract rock homage to that incident. Then I went to Nam.

[@arkhllraiser]

I was a senior in college, I had a midnight radio show on the College station and I used to play some serious rock and roll mostly American music. And every week like clockwork at around 1 in the morning some local guy used to call and say please play Closer To Home by Grand Funk in tribute to my Vietnam Brothers. He always sounded half in the bag but I didn't care I wanted to join him and have a drink and say you know what here's to your brother, what Memories!

[@dennisjohnson2772]

1986 in the Navy,homeward after 6 months. Every night for the last two weeks.

[@vikkiwhite6243]

I couldn't click fast enough!!! Great way to start the week! ✌

[@dermaglowpro1720]

STILL ... STILL WAITING for GFR to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame !!! Such a dishonor to this AWESOME American Rock Band !!!!!!!

[@Walkerbtween]

Silly, but when your head nods begin to sync It just makes me happy. 😁

[@smilerpink]

Lyrically and musically, this song portrays the lengthy, gradual and evolving process of dying. Its protagonist starts off clinging to life and gradually journeys toward his inevitable death, letting go to the point of letting his spirit leave at the end. The other theme that jumped out at me was the high level of musicianship by all three band members. GFRR shares this with other great rock trios (Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Rush, ZZ Top, the Police). Trios leave every individual member very exposed, with no place to hide. The great ones feature all three carrying more of the musical load than individual players in larger bands are asked to. This was driven home to me a decade or so after this song was recorded (1970) when I heard Bob Seger and his Silver Bullet Band live. That early '80's tour featured Don Brewer, GFRR's original drummer. His fluent, booming style in that show reminded me a little of Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. He made Seger's music (already very good on records) shockingly better than I expected live. I left that show with even more respect for Brewer and GFRR than I already had.

[@DianaJG8]

Think you'd have gone "A-tier" had you known he was dying. You'd have gone "S-tier" if you were the 14 year old girl watching Mark Farner play & sing this! 🥵

[@TexasMagnolia]

Right On!

[@elizabethhonce1677]

Yes, Mark Farner is easy on the eyes!!!

[@DianaJG8]

@@elizabethhonce1677 - OH, LIZ! DON'T REMIND ME! I'm getting over surgery! LOL 😊❤

[@lindaingallsobrien4217]

They should have watched this live at Shea Stadium!

[@quinny6920]

TRUE THAT!!!

[@jgsrhythm100]

Early funk legends 🔥 1 ) James Brown- Got the Feeling 2) Sly and Family Stone- Simple Song 3) Curtis Mayfield- Move on Up 4) Parliment-Tear the Roof of the Sucker Every artist in the Rockn Roll Hall of fame and hugely influential. 🔥

[@eugenebentley418]

And some soul 4 Tops Reachout-I'll Be There Edwin Starr War and the Isley's That Lady.

[@nathanwahl9224]

A lot of Detroit in that, and these guys were from there, too. In fact, I think it was '74, we saw GFR at Cobo Hall, and the opening act was MC5. After that, before these guys . . . . . James Brown!!!! A pity these guys aren't in the R&RHoF in their proper place.

[@VGKDean]

This was my favorite song when I was a kid in elementary school. I still love this song. Thank you.

[@Tribblepuppy]

One of my favorite acid trip songs, darkened room, headphones, and orange sunshine, and letting this captain take me on a trip.

[@mikesimonian484]

Windowpane

[@Tribblepuppy]

@@mikesimonian484 Blotter, peyote, reds, 'ludes, cross tops, and of course pot, I tried them all, but never used a needle. I was a hippy, not a drug addict.

[@girlmidgard9571]

Still have several GFR tuneages in my rotation...Mark Farner shirtless on stage with his waIst-length hair and transparent acrylic guitar is the visual. A just feel-good tune to get up and going from the E Pluribus Funk album that may tickle shorter-song fancies: Foot Stompin' Music..still plays well, and feet almost always stomp...

[@bugvswindshield]

This was released at twards the end of the Vietnam War. My father told me that many of his friends loved this song as it reminded them that , YES their hellish ordeal would come to an end. Great Song. Great Reaction as always.

[@sandyhogue7626]

I was in boot camp for the Navy when this came out. Made me kind of rethink some of my life choices. Don't think there was a bigger band from '70 to about '75. Their shows were epic. Do yourself a favor and check out their live version of Heartbreaker.

[@christopherpohl8743]

Smoking a joint before listening to this song makes it much better….a friend tells me.

[@magicbrownie1357]

Doing that makes ANY song better.

[@spaceghost27]

Mark Farner is 72 and still in tremendous shape and looks incredible and can still belt it out.

[@reesezpeecez08]

I have been rocking to these 3 guys for over 50 years. I highly recommend Paranoid, Footstompin Music and Into the Sun next.

[@loudog2326]

Footstompin Music and Rock n Roll Soul !!!

[@robertperrella4194]

footstompin' music and rock and roll soul belong on everybody's alarm clock !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Ray1969.]

Can you guys please react to Procol Harum- A Whiter Shade of Pale live from Denmark. One of the greatest live performances with a full orchestra ever!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@stephenbloom8107]

Agree!

[@rorystorm4284]

Unfortunately, they'll never do it.

[@Sand1955]

That is a great performance!

[@remedy9648]

Absolutely a stunning performance! Truly breathtaking 🎵💜🎵

[@Sand1955]

@@remedy9648 Yes! I first saw it a few years back. I watched it repeatedly and I have it in my "Saved" videos. It is fantastic!

[@andrewrosen6508]

Guys , thanks for posting this one. I was 15 when this came out, now 67, but one thing I never did was to listen this with headphones!! Your reaction to this totally exceeded my expectations.and your analysis was thoughtful and insightful. Great work as usual boys!! Mark Farner says it was about Vietnam and I believe him. But your abilities to deconstruct this little piece of rock art was very satisfying. Hence the forum that you help create by playing I'm Your Captain is also educational equally satisfying. Love it❤️

[@brentcox7772]

Love GFR!!! They were awesome in concert!!🤘🔥

[@scottwitt4104]

I was 13 when this came out. It was my first album purchased by me. Previously had only bought 45s. Remember playing this over and over in my bedroom

[@modmary3527]

Such a great memory! This was a hot tune back in my youth. Love ❤️ it!

[@davidpatterson2919]

Huh b jmmbl NH NM

[@bigskyneal784]

Really didn’t feel like it ran 10:00 long. I was thinking there must be one more section to come (probably hadn’t heard this full song in over 25 years). Felt like a solid A to me.

[@ajaxfernsby4078]

I remember when this came out. Half of us thought it was an allegorical drug song, but all of us thought it was trippy.

[@PaulSmith-xc7vt]

Great song. Great album also. Nice job guys!

[@Mr-SRG]

Sitting in my room as stoned teenager with a black light shining on my Zep & Hendrix banners is the true way to enjoy this song, especially the ending, time disappeared.

[@5d512]

One of my top songs.

[@framusburns-hagstromiii808]

This tune was huge when it came out ...gotta consider it in context of the time it was released...it's a classic but not typical of the bulk of GFR's catalog.

[@bobbit8987]

As a young teenager, maybe 15 - 16 one Christmas I got my very first two albums, there were Led Zeplin, and Grand Funk Railroad Closer to Home. I could not have been more pleased.

[@matangiandtheparrot4614]

A car full of friends singin'...music majors '76 we all knew the song! Holy Cow! thanksGentlemenyou're the beezkneez.love.

[@Mona.555]

I have been waiting for y’all to do this forever! Thank you 😊 Loved this since 1970… Yes , really. 18 years old

[@burmajones803]

"Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad" is the name of Paul Leary's dog (from Butthole Surfers). As a dog, Mark Farner is tremendously cool and lovable.

[@larksigsby3697]

In the early ‘70s our local college town FM station closed each night with the “closer to home section” as they went off the air. Good times!