"Closer To Home/I'm Your Captain" (M. Farner) - Grand Funk Railroad; Capitol label, # 22 Billboard Hot 100 - 1970. Inducted in 2009.
Grand Funk Railroad's first Top 40 single came to Mark Farner in his sleep. He awoke with the words to "I'm Your Captain" in his head, and he had the presence of mind to write them down before falling back to sleep. Mark had forgotten about them the next morning when he picked up his guitar and started strumming music that was different from his previous compositions. Farner then remembered the lyrics he wrote down the previous night, and a Grand Funk classic was born.
"Closer To Home/I'm Your Captain" would be Terry Knight's finest production with the band. Inspired by the Moody Blues' recent use of orchestration on their recordings, Knight and the band brought in strings to enhance the drama and impact of the song.
Written during the Vietnam War, "I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home" also became an anthem to many servicemen and women involved in the conflict overseas.
