In 1962, all people was doing a model new dance. A dozen years later, all people within the US was doing it another time. On Might 4, 1974, the Grand Funk remake of Little Eva’s “The Loco-Motion” turned America’s favourite single, because it climbed to the highest of the Billboard Scorching 100. It was the Michigan rock giants’ second No.1 in simply eight months.
Grand Funk (Railroad) had been racking up chart singles since 1969, however the 1973-74 season noticed them attain new ranges of recognition on AM radio and with singles patrons. The sometimes anthemic “We’re An American Band” had topped the survey in September 1973. Now got here their shocking remake of the Little Eva tune written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King.
Rundgren’s rock imaginative and prescient
Eva, who famously was Gerry and Carole’s babysitter, had every week at No.1 in America along with her authentic “Loco-Motion” in the summertime of 1962. Grand Funk’s model was the one cowl on the band’s new, Todd Rundgren-produced album Shinin’ On. That spent two non-consecutive weeks at No.5 within the US as the one accomplished its ascent. It was Rundgren who heard the band noodling with the tune within the studio, and inspired them {that a} arduous rock model of the previous pop nugget may very well be a winner.
Take heed to the 70s playlist, that includes Grand Funk, Stevie Surprise, Glen Campbell, Creedence Clearwater Revival and plenty of others.
The rocked-up “Loco-Motion” entered the Scorching 100 in March at No.82. It climbed 2-1 in its ninth chart week, changing MFSB’s Philly soul gem “TSOP” on the high. Grand Funk’s two-week run, their final atop the American singles chart, was solely ended by a novelty single, Ray Stevens’ transatlantic bestseller “The Streak.”
‘It’s like a pleasant present’
It was solely the second time within the rock period {that a} tune had topped the US chart in two totally different variations. In 1971, Donny Osmond had taken Steve Lawrence’s “Go Away Little Girl” again to the summit. Just a few months later, there can be a 3rd, in the Carpenters’ remake of the Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman.” When the Grand Funk model of “Loco-Motion” hit the charts, Gerry Goffin advised Rolling Stone: “It’s like a nice gift. It is kind of weird hearing it done in a different way, but you can still hear how it appeals to the kids.”
Purchase or stream “The Loco-Motion” on Grand Funk’s Shinin’ On album.
