I'm Your Captain

Grand Funk Railroad

About I'm Your Captain

"I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)" is a 1970 song written by American musician Mark Farner and recorded by Grand Funk Railroad as the closing track to their album Closer to Home. Ten minutes in duration, it is the band's longest studio recording. One of the group's best-known songs, it is composed as two distinct but closely related movements. Its title has been rendered in various ways across many different Grand Funk albums, including "I'm Your Captain", "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home", "Closer to Home/I'm Your Captain", "Closer to Home (I'm Your Captain)", and "Closer to Home". The song conveys the pleas of a captain on a troubled sea voyage and facing a mutiny from his crew. Its use of an orchestra during the long repeated refrains of the closing movement served to differentiate it from much of Grand Funk's work. Several interpretations of the song have been given; most revolve around the Vietnam War, and "I'm Your Captain" is popular among veterans of that conflict. A truncated version of the song was a modest hit single when first released, but the full album track achieved greater airplay on progressive rock radio stations. It has become a classic rock staple and has appeared on several audience-selected lists as one of the best rock songs of all time. 


Year:
2017
10:09
256 
#1

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Everybody
Listen to me
And return me, my ship
I'm your captain, I'm your captain
Though I'm feeling mighty sick
I've been lost now
Days uncounted
And it's months since
I've seen home
Can you hear me, can you hear me
Or am I all alone?
If you return me
To my home port
I will kiss you
Mother earth
Take me back now, take me back now
To the port, of my birth
Am I in my cabin dreaming
Or are you really scheming
To take my ship away from me
You'd better think about it
I just can't live without it
So please don't take my ship from me
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I can feel the hand of a stranger
And it tightening around my throat
Heaven help me, heaven help me,
Take this stranger, from my boat
I'm your captain, I'm your captain
Though I'm feeling mighty sick
Everybody, listen to me
And return me, my ship
I'm your captain, yeah yeah yeah yeah
I'm your captain, yeah yeah yeah yeah
I'm your captain, yeah yeah yeah yeah
I'm your captain, yeah yeah yeah yeah

I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home

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Grand Funk Railroad

Grand Funk Railroad (also known as Grand Funk) is an American rock band that was highly popular during the 1970s. Grand Funk Railroad toured constantly to packed arenas worldwide. A popular take on the band during its heyday was that, although the critics hated them, audiences loved them. The band's name is a play on words of the Grand Trunk Railroad, a railroad line that ran through the band's home town of Flint, Michigan. more »

4 fans

Written by: Mark Farner

Lyrics © CONEXION MEDIA GROUP, INC.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Release Date
"I'm Your Captain" was released in July 1970 as part of the album "Closer to Home" by the Grand Funk Railroad.
Song Length
The full album version lasts for about 10 minutes, making it one of the longest songs in popular music history.
Song Structure
The track is divided into two sections: the pop-like "I'm Your Captain" and the more progressive "Closer to Home."
Chart Performance
The song peaked at number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Autobiographical Elements
The band's lead vocalist, Mark Farner, stated in interviews that the song was an expression of his own desire to steer the band's direction and "bring it home."
Record Label
The song was released under the record label Capitol Records.
Vietnam War Era Impact
During the Vietnam War, the song held a special resonance with servicemen and veterans, and to this day, remains popular among that demographic.
Noteworthy Instrument
The song features the use of a mellotron, an early keyboard instrument that reproduces the sounds of various instruments such as strings and brass.
Cover Versions
Many artists, including Todd Rundgren and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, have covered the song in their performances.
Recognition
In 2011, "I'm Your Captain" was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.
Use in Pop Culture
The song has also been referenced and used in popular culture, including in films like The Simpsons Movie and in popular novels like Stephen King's Dreamcatcher.

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