Their manager was Simon Napier-Bell, who devised white stage outfits and an outrageous stage act which included fighting each other and Bolan whipping the stage with a chain. Their 1967 single "Desdemona" was banned by the BBC for the 'controversial' lyric, "Lift up your skirt and fly".
Bolan was with the band for about four months. His main roles were to be the band's composer and play electric guitar (until then, he only played acoustic guitar). His singing voice is sometimes lead in "unofficial" recordings only (demos, BBC radio sessions). After he left, Townson switched to guitar and former roadie Chris Colville took over on drums.
John's Children recorded another single, "Go Go Girl", a Bolan composition he later recorded with Tyrannosaurus Rex as "Mustang Ford". John's Children also performed Bolan's "Mustang Ford" version of the song. The band released one more single, "It's Been a Long Time" (issued as an Andy Ellison solo single) and then embarked on a "disastrous" tour of Germany. Their last performance was at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany (substituting for the Bee Gees), after which they split up in 1968. Ellison went on to make several solo singles. before resurfacing in Jet in 1974, along with drummer Chris Townson. Jet metamorphosed into Radio Stars in the mid-Seventies.
Midsummer Night's Scene
John's Children Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Petals and flowers...
Petals and flowers...
In the park, getting dark, eating the heat
There's an eye in the sky, melting your feet
You see a chick, who starts to nick the petals and flowers
She starts to joke and then provoke the Dance of the Hours
It's all down to a midsummer night's scene
It's all down to a Shakespearian dream
In her face there's a place disfigured with love
Her hands are white, like the night encased in a glove
She s tarts to swing and watches you nick petals and flowers
She starts to joke and then evokes the Dance of the Hours
It's all down to a midsummer night's scene
It's all down to a Shakespearian dream
The song "Midsummer Night's Scene" by John's Children is a psychedelic rock anthem that illustrates the heady, carefree nature of summer love. The song opens with the refrain "Petals and Flowers," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fragility and beauty of young love. As the song progresses, the singer finds himself in a park as the sun begins to set, and he encounters a mysterious but alluring woman. The woman is described as having a “place” on her face “disfigured with love,” which could symbolize a scar from a previous love affair or emotional turmoil caused by a past romantic relationship.
As the two begin to interact, the woman begins to tease the singer by “nicking” the petals and flowers, and then playfully provokes him into dancing. The lyrics of the chorus point to the playfulness of the situation, and liken it to a moment straight out of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The idea of the singer feeling like he's trapped in a Shakepearian dream adds to the surreal, whimsical quality of the song. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener with the impression that the experience is fleeting, but beautiful, like the delicate petals and flowers that have been "nicked."
Line by Line Meaning
Petals and flowers...
Repetition emphasizing the importance of these objects in the setting and atmosphere
In the park, getting dark, eating the heat
Describing the setting as a park at night during the summer which is oppressive with heat
There's an eye in the sky, melting your feet
Suggesting the heat is so intense that it feels like an eye in the sky is burning through the ground and melting feet
You see a chick, who starts to nick the petals and flowers
A woman takes petals and flowers and picks them up
She starts to joke and then provoke the Dance of the Hours
The woman becomes playful and provokes dancing
It's all down to a midsummer night's scene
The entire situation can be attributed to the magic and surreal atmosphere associated with the summer season
It's all down to a Shakespearian dream
The woman's actions and setting resemble elements of a Shakespearean play, adding to the mystical mood
In her face there's a place disfigured with love
The woman's face shows a mark of love that deforms and scars her appearance
Her hands are white, like the night encased in a glove
The woman's hands are pale and resemble the night sky covered with a glove
She starts to swing and watches you nick petals and flowers
The woman begins dancing and observes the act of picking petals and flowers
She starts to joke and then evokes the Dance of the Hours
The woman continues to be playful and brings about a lively dance
Writer(s): Marc Bolan
Contributed by Levi M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
raul macias
This wonderful piece of Psychedelia is the reason Marc Bolan left "John's Children"
When John's Children finished the track, they celebrated feeling they had a big hit.
The next day, the group returned to the studio to discover, to their horror, that some Vocals were added to the mix! The "woos" after the chorus'! It so happened Simon Napier Bell, the group's Manager/Producer, took the liberty of overdubbing his own Vocals!
Marc was furious and left the band!
John's Children's next Single was projected to be ~
"Midsummer Night's Scene"/"Sarah Crazy Child", another cool Bolan composition, but was cancelled.
At 2:00 the song changes key, with added adrenaline, as Marc Bolan takes over on Lead Vocal!
The Rhythm Section of John Hewlett/Bass and Chris Townson push the song forward! I dig Bolan's Lead Vocals, Hewlett's Bass lines and Townson's powerful Drumming during the fade out!
This is tragic example of when a Manager/Producer, Simon Napier Bell, felt he knew better!
Simon should have ran his idea by Marc "before" doing the overdubs! I'm sure Bolan would have vetoed the idea.
I wish someone would remix this John Children's classic and remove Bell's annoying "woos"!
With today's technology, I believe it can be done!
Marc stated, after leaving the group, that he wanted full control of his recordings in the future and put a new combo together ~ Tyrannosaurus Rex!
You know, I wish "The Cure" had covered this Bolan classic during the time of "Boys Don't Cry" when Bassist Michael Dempsey was in the band.
Lee Hope
Being a songwriter, this gave me a great idea. I loved the ending part when Marc took over the lead vocal. Considering I can't sing for my life, I figured I could do the last chorus by myself. Great inspiration to myself & anyone in the same situation. Liked them better than when Marc sold out in 1970. Him & Steve we're The Best, but John's Children should in no way be forgotten.
Susan Kirkland
That would be terrific. Marc walked out in hearing what Simon had dine in the cutting room. Don’t know what the others thought of his work. I do quite like this but would love to hear how it was first intended.
terry thacker
@raul macias I can't seem to be able to distinguish these 'oos' Simon Napier Bell added to the song. Are they at the end of each chorus ? It's all down to a Midsummer Night Scene 'ooo' is that where they are ?
raul macias
If you're interested, please read my comments.
This is one of 60s Pop/Rock tragedies!
"Midsummer Night's Scene" was destined to becoming a top ten hit in England and possibly the United States, but Simon Napier Bell ruined the production his own personal Vocal overdubs and cacophony of a mix!
With today's technology, is there a way of remixing and removing Simon's annoying oos?
Susan Kirkland
Marcs voice is unmistakable towards the end of the track 🎶❤️
suz bo
Thanks my friend Angela dancing with the furry coat and long flower on a stick! She's still dancing like that!
raul macias
This wonderful piece of Psychedelia is the reason Marc Bolan left "John's Children"
When John's Children finished the track, they celebrated feeling they had a big hit.
The next day, the group returned to the studio to discover, to their horror, that some Vocals were added to the mix! The "woos" after the chorus'! It so happened Simon Napier Bell, the group's Manager/Producer, took the liberty of overdubbing his own Vocals!
Marc was furious and left the band!
John's Children's next Single was projected to be ~
"Midsummer Night's Scene"/"Sarah Crazy Child", another cool Bolan composition, but was cancelled.
At 2:00 the song changes key, with added adrenaline, as Marc Bolan takes over on Lead Vocal!
The Rhythm Section of John Hewlett/Bass and Chris Townson push the song forward! I dig Bolan's Lead Vocals, Hewlett's Bass lines and Townson's powerful Drumming during the fade out!
This is tragic example of when a Manager/Producer, Simon Napier Bell, felt he knew better!
Simon should have ran his idea by Marc "before" doing the overdubs! I'm sure Bolan would have vetoed the idea.
I wish someone would remix this John Children's classic and remove Bell's annoying "woos"!
With today's technology, I believe it can be done!
Marc stated, after leaving the group, that he wanted full control of his recordings in the future and put a new combo together ~ Tyrannosaurus Rex!
You know, I wish "The Cure" had covered this Bolan classic during the time of "Boys Don't Cry" when Bassist Michael Dempsey was in the band.
Lady Stardust
Énorme ce groupe ❤
Mr. Magister
This should've been a huge hit....
Christopher Thomas
What a great track!