Survival is Grand Funk Railroad's fourth studio album and was released in April 1971 by Capitol Records. Recorded at Cleveland Recording Company, the album was produced by Terry Knight. Drummer Don Brewer was never 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 using that technique in the Beatles' film Let It Be (1970).
Survival | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 15 April 1971 | |||
Recorded | March 1–3, 1971 | |||
Studio | Cleveland Recording Company, Cleveland | |||
Genre | Rock[1] | |||
Length | 40:55 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Producer | Terry Knight | |||
Grand Funk Railroad chronology | ||||
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Singles from Survival | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Record Guide | C[3] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
All songs by Mark Farner except where noted.
Side one
Side two
Bonus Tracks – CD release
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 lead vocal, placement of the instruments in the stereo mix, and musical differences in the playing. Additionally, a third verse is included that is 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).
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.
Album
Chart (1971) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Top LPs[5] | 6 |
Australian National Charts[6] | 9 |
Canada RPM Top Albums[7] | 4 |
Singles
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
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1971 | "Feelin' Alright" | Billboard Hot 100 | 54[8] |
Canada | 20 | ||
"Gimme Shelter" | Billboard Hot 100 | 61[9] | |
Canada | 49 | ||
Germany | 42[10] | ||
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Studio albums | |
Unofficial albums | |
Live albums | |
Compilations |
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Singles |
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Related |
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Authority control ![]() |
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