Grow Some Funk Of Your Own ?

[newloneranger]

Was Grow Some Funk Of Your Own censored? When the single was released it was never played. The California radio played the B-Side IFLAB instead. First time I heard GSFOYO on the radio was after I moved to Arizona. Maybe they played it here. I was freaked out when they played it. I said to myself some radio dj had the balls to play it.

[dougs]

re:  "Grow Some Funk of Your Own":

The interesting things about "Grow Some Funk of Your Own" is that it was released as a "double A-side" with "I Feel Like A Bullet in the Gun of Robert Ford."  Both songs were marketed as A-side singles.  Some radio stations played "Grow Some Funk of Your Own" more while others played "I Feel Like A Bullet in the Gun of Robert Ford" more.  It usually depended on the format of individual radio stations.  Stations that were more rock oriented chose to play "Grow Some Funk of Your Own" while other stations that were a bit more middle-of-the-road and adult contemporary played "I Feel Like A Bullet in the Gun of Robert Ford."  I never did hear that "Grow Some Funk of Your Own" was censored.  Its lack in airplay in some areas was most likely due to the specific format of individual radio stations and what the program director chose and what MCA Records suggested. Both songs were featured in the same sized font on the picture sleeve of the 45 single indicating equal attention.

My local AM radio station (CFRA Ottawa) played everything Elton in those days so they played both of the songs.  They even played "Love Song" from HERE AND THERE in the upcoming months of 1976.  "Grow Some Funk of Your Own" & "I Feel Like A Bullet in the Gun of Robert Ford" as a "double A-side" went to #8 on Canada's Top 100 Singles chart in early 1976.  Both got lots of airplay in Ottawa but I think I heard "Grow Some Funk of Your Own" more often.

Doug

[newloneranger]

Hi Doug, Love Song was played in California too, I'm not sure if it was available as a single but it did get some airplay. I always thought GSFOYO was the A side but I could be wrong. I do know that it was included on the Greatest Hits Volume 2 album which seemed strange to me because it was never played.....Jim

[dougs]

newloneranger:

I own the single for "Grow Some Funk of Your Own" & "I Feel Like A Bullet in the Gun of Robert Ford" but all of my 45s are stored somewhere in my storage unit so I can't do a quick check.  I do recall that some (not all) of the picture sleeves of the 45 gave "Grow Some Funk of Your Own" much larger font and clearly emphasized it as the true single. 

Doug

[newloneranger]

I had that single too, Mine came with no picture sleeve. GSFOYO was the A side from what I recall.

[dougs]

"Grow Some Funk of Your Own"

Just a thought;  I was too young to attend concerts in 1976 but it would have been great to see Elton's LOUD AS CONCORDE concerts that year.  They opened up with an extended "Grow Some Funk of Your Own" and it sounded great from what I have heard.  There are a few audio and video (usually but not always with substandard sound) clips on YouTube and I have one decent live version from Madison Square Garden.  With the end of that particular band (Roger Pope and Caleb Quaye and Kenny Passarelli were never to return) we saw the end of that song live.  Too bad, they really rocked it.  Great way to start the concerts!

Doug

[Commodore Orpington]

This is the first I've heard that there was a picture cover. I'll have to search for it.

It was a relative flop as a US single, and REALLY a flop in the UK. It was a double A side. In Dayton Ohio, Funk got airplay, then as 1976 started, they flipped it and Bullet was on the radio. I remember it was on in the car, while I was in drivers' ed class...

Funk censored itself, by saying "funk"... Love Song live was only a US promo single, as Pinball Wizard was.  Yellow MCA promo label.

[AGR82]

The UK Single contains an alternate mix of GSFOYO with some differences...