We're an American Band (song)
| "We're an American Band" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Grand Funk Railroad | ||||
| from the album We're an American Band | ||||
| B-side | "Creepin'" | |||
| Released | July 2, 1973 | |||
| Recorded | June 1973 | |||
| Studio | Criteria (Miami) | |||
| Genre | Hard rock[1][2] | |||
| Length | 3:26 3:31 (2002 remix) | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Don Brewer | |||
| Producer(s) | Todd Rundgren | |||
| Grand Funk Railroad singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Gold vinyl issue | ||||
 Limited edition release | ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "We’re an American Band" on YouTube | ||||
"We're an American Band" is a song by American rock band Grand Funk Railroad, released in 1973 from the band's album of the same name (their seventh) which became the band's first number one single,[3] released July 2, 1973. Written by Don Brewer and produced by Todd Rundgren, its huge chart success broadened Grand Funk's appeal. It was sung by drummer Brewer, who began doing more lead vocals for the band and helped with their transition to making top 40 hits.
It is the 99th song on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs.[4]
According to rock critic/writer Dave Marsh in his book, The Heart of Rock and Soul, Grand Funk was touring with the British group Humble Pie in early 1973.[5]
Reception
Cash Box said that the "group comes through with powerful, chunky rhythms and meaningful lyrics."[6]
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Poison version
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2021) |
| "We're An American Band" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Poison | ||||
| from the album The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock | ||||
| Released | 2006 | |||
| Recorded | 2006 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Don Brewer | |||
| Poison singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
- Poison (who also recorded for Capitol) covered it and released it as a single with a music video for their The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock (2006) compilation which peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200.[11]
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[12] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Tucker, Dan (February 28, 2014). "13 Classic Hard Rock Songs That Will Make You Scream "More Cowbell!"". VH1. Viacom. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (November 15, 2022). "Bon Jovi - "You Give Love a Bad Name". The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal the History of Pop Music. New York: Hachette Book Group. p. 176.
- ^ "We're an American Band (song by Grand Funk Railroad) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. 1973-07-28. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
- ^ "VH1 Top 100 Hard Rock Songs". Music.spreadit.org. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ^ Dave Marsh (1999). The Heart of Rock and Soul (7th ed.). Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0306809019.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. July 14, 1973. p. 24. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "RPM100 Singles". Library and Archives Canada. 20 October 1973. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. December 26, 2017.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1973/Top 100 Songs of 1973". musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- ^ "Poison - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
- ^ "American single certifications – Grand Funk Railroad – We're an American Band". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
