“We’re an American Band” – Grand Funk Railroad
(Words/music: Don Brewer, available on We’re an American Band, Capitol 1973)

In an alternate universe, the Christopher Walken “I need more cowbell” skit that grew to infamy features “We’re an American Band” rather than “Don’t Fear the Reaper.”  This doesn’t mean it would be better (as the guitar intro gave just enough of a pause before Will Ferrell’s cowbell antics), but I could imagine it happening.  In some ways, the final product reaches the ideal stressed in that skit – an omnipresent, somewhat over-the-top cowbell.  I can imagine the escalation necessary in the skit, from a moderately played cowbell to the flamboyant and joyous dancing Ferrell’s character engages in while playing “more” cowbell.  It would require a reworking of the intra-band dynamics – specifically since Ferrell’s cowbell won’t overshadow Don Brewer’s vocals (and, most likely, Brewer himself played the cowbell).  Still, it’s hard for me to hear this song and not think of that skit.

As gaudy as the cowbell sounds at times, its presence sets the tone for the song.  The cowbell cuts through loud and clear on the verses and breaks and goes silent in the pre-chorus and chorus.  When it’s playing, the song rigidly binds itself to the tempo.  The guitar specifically feels clipped and angular with a heavy focus on the downbeat.  When the cowbell stops, the song starts to groove, in part because the guitar (and later keyboard) fills in some of the empty spaces, but also because the beat feels more relaxed.  If the verses focus on the rigors of travel, the chorus is the party.  Grand Funk clearly took direction from Todd Rundgren, the producer of the We’re an American Band album, as his production makes the song crisp and snappy, particularly in its transitions from the relaxed chorus to the meticulous verse and back again.  Just as life on the road needs structure in order to make it to the next stop on time, this song needs both the looseness and the locked-in sections to play off each other.

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