We're an American Band (song)

"We're an American Band" is a No. 1 single by American rock band Grand Funk Railroad. Released on July 2, 1973, from the band's album of the same name, it became the band's first single to top the Billboard charts. Written by Don Brewer and produced by Todd Rundgren, its huge chart success broadened Grand Funk's appeal. In a 2023 interview, Brewer said the song, which stiches together snippets of events from the band's touring life, was written in an effort to garner the band more hits as FM radio stations were transitioning into singles-oriented formats.

According to Brewer, the song was not a rebuke to British band Humble Pie, who Grand Funk had previously toured with.

It is the 99th song on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs.

Reception
Cash Box said that the "group comes through with powerful, chunky rhythms and meaningful lyrics."

Cover Versions

 * Poison (who also recorded for Capitol) covered it and released it as a single with a music video for their The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock (2006) compilation which peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200.
 * The song has also been covered by Rob Zombie, Garth Brooks, Phish, Kid Rock, Village People, Rascal Flatts, and others.