"Grow Some Funk of Your Own" is a song by English musician Elton John. It was released as a single in 1976 from the album Rock of the Westies. It shared its A-side status with "I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)". The song went to No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, but in Britain broke a five-year run of successful singles by failing to reach the top 50 despite extensive radio play. Guitarist Davey Johnstone is credited as a co-writer.

Synopsis

The song centers on a man who wakes up after a bad dream entailing an episode set in Mexico, where the protagonist (presumably either John or Taupin) falls for a young lady in a small town but is dismissed by her boyfriend, telling him to return to where he came from (hence the lyric, "Take my advice/take the next flight/and grow your funk/grow your funk at home").

Grow Some Funk of Your Own

Reception

Cash Box called it "a hard-driving rocker which has a part audiences will sing along to and maybe provide another encore to his live show" with "an absolutely frantic ending with the vibraphones receiving the beating of their lives." Record World said that "Elton shows why he's on top with his 'English charm' and an enthusiastic no holds barred rock 'n' roll sound."

Grow Some Funk of Your Own

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

Chart performance

References

Elton John songs

1975 songs

1976 singles

Songs with music by Elton John

Songs with lyrics by Bernie Taupin

Song recordings produced by Gus Dudgeon

DJM Records singles

MCA Records singles

Grow Some Funk of Your Own