Grow Some Funk of Your Own Single: 1976

A Rock Of The Westies Funk Blast

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on January 9, 1976, on DJM Records (catalogue: DJS 10646), Elton John’s “Grow Some Funk Of Your Own” — backed with “I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford)” — was the second single from Rock Of The Westies. Produced by Gus Dudgeon, this funky rock double A-side showcased Elton’s mid-’70s band energy. A bold Rocket Records era miss.

Taken from the album Rock of the Westies, shared its A-side status with " Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)". The song reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 but broke a five-year run of successful singles in Britain by failing to reach the top 50 despite extensive radio play. Guitarist Davey Johnstone is credited as a co-writer.

Vintage German sleeve design for Elton John's single "Grow Some Funk of Your Own," featuring a casual portrait with stylized typography.

The song focuses on a man who awakens after a troubling dream involving an incident in Mexico. In this scenario, the protagonist (likely either John or Taupin) becomes infatuated with a young woman in a small town but is rebuffed by her boyfriend, who advises him to return to his place of origin (as reflected the lyric "Take my advice/take the next flight/and grow your funk/grow your at home").

Cash Box described it as "a hard rocker with a section that will make audiences sing along and possibly request another encore at his live show," featuring "an frantic ending where the vibraphones receive the beating of their lives." Record World commented that "ton demonstrates why he remains on top with his 'English charm' and an enthusiastic, no-holds-barred rock 'n' roll sound."

Personnel

Ray Cooper – castanets, tambourine, bell tree, vibraphone

Kiki Dee – backing vocals

Davey Johnstone – electric guitars, backing vocals

Elton John – piano, vocals

Kenny Passarelli – bass, backing vocals

Roger Pope – drums

Caleb Quaye – electric guitars, backing vocals

Single Overview

Release Details

Label: DJM Records.

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single.

Full Track Listing

Side A

Grow Some Funk Of Your Own

Side B

I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford)

Production and Context

Produced by Gus Dudgeon. From *Rock Of The Westies* (1975). Elton’s funky mid-’70s phase.

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Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.