Marc had played guitar since the age of 9, but started to pursue music more seriously around 1964, when he became Toby Tyler, covering songs by Bob Dylan, and Dion.
(A track recorded around this time as Mark Feld, "All At Once" has recently been discovered will be released soon.) In his teen years, Marc became known as one of the first "mods". This led him to a brief stint as a model, and he chose to leave school when he was 14 years old. He also played guitar in a band called John's Children. Marc was needed for this group as a 'Pete Townshend' figure, but after 3 months, he left the band.
Together with Steve Peregrin Took, he formed his own duo Tyrannosaurus Rex, which quickly gained a large underground following. After 3 successful albums, Steve Peregrin Took's drug habits and suggestion of doing some of his own songs was enough for Marc to kick him out of the duo. Mickey Finn quickly replaced Steve, and the new duo recorded the album A Beard Of Stars, with Marc replacing Steve's backing vocals on the tracks they already began recording.
On Marc's second album with Finn, he decided to shorten the name of the band to T. Rex, and found fame and chart succes in 1970 with Ride a White Swan.
Following that success, Marc wrote several more top 10 hits and albums, Electric Warrior(1971), The Slider (1972), Tanx(1973), Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow Or a Creamed Cage In August)(1974), Bolan's Zip-Gun(1975), Futuristic Dragon(1976) and the final album
Dandy In the Underworld(1977).
Marc Bolan tried to make it clear during his lifetime that he was NOT to be grouped in the lot called Glam Rock. In 1973, he appeared under the headline "Glam Rock Is Dead: Says Marc" - he felt he was not being treated seriously as an artist, so with Zinc Alloy onward, he moved into a Rock & Soul sound, radically different than what was the musical trend at the time. Many of Marc's fans stayed behind with the Glam movement, but Marc pursued further into less commercial music adventures, with the help of his soul-singer girlfriend, Gloria Jones. Together they had a son, Rolan Bolan, in 1975.
Tragically, Marc died in a car crash on 16 September 1977 in a purple Mini driven by Gloria Jones.
20th Century Boy
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood
I move like a cat
Charge like a ram
Sting like a bee
Babe, I want to be your man
Well it's plain to see
You were meant for me
Yeah, I'm your boy
Your 20th century toy
Friends say it's fine
Friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood
Fly like a plane
Drive like a car
Ball like a hound
Babe I want to be your man
Well it's plain to see
You were meant for me
Yea I'm your toy
Your 20th century boy
20th century toy
I want to be your boy
20th century toy
I want to be your boy
20th century toy
I want to be your boy
20th century toy
I want to be your boy
Friends say it's fine
Friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood
Move like a cat
Charge like a ram
Sting like a bee
Oh, babe I want to be your man
Well it's plain to see
You were meant for me
Yea I'm your toy
Your 20th century boy
20th century toy
I want to be your boy
20th century toy
I want to be your boy
20th century boy
I want to be your toy
20th century boy
I want to be your toy
The lyrics of Marc Bolan's "20th Century Boy" establish a theme of toughness and masculinity, as the singer of the song declares his desire to be seen as a strong and powerful male figure. The opening lines "Friends say it's fine/Friends say it's good/Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood" suggest that the singer is looking for validation from those around him, seeking affirmation that he embodies the heroic archetype of Robin Hood. The repeated refrain "I want to be your boy/Your 20th century toy" conveys a sense of longing, as if the singer is trying to prove to the listener that he is desirable and worthy of affection.
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer comparing himself to various powerful animals and machines ("Fly like a plane/Drive like a car/Ball like a hound"). The line "Babe, I want to be your man" reinforces the song's central message of masculine strength and virility, as the singer asserts his desire to be seen as a formidable and attractive partner. Ultimately, the repetition of the refrain "Your 20th century boy" underscores the idea that the singer is positioning himself as a symbol of modern, powerful masculinity.
Line by Line Meaning
Friends say it's fine
My friends think our relationship is good and acceptable.
Friends say it's good
The people I surround myself with believe that you and I are a great match.
Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood
Others compare our love story to the chivalrous deeds of Robin Hood.
I move like a cat
I am agile and graceful when I am with you.
Charge like a ram
I am assertive and dominant when it comes to getting what I want from life.
Sting like a bee
I am quick to react if I feel threatened, just like a bee.
Babe, I want to be your man
I want to be the one you turn to for love and protection.
Well it's plain to see
It is obvious to everyone that we are meant to be together.
You were meant for me
The universe aligned to bring us together for a reason.
Yeah, I'm your boy
I am your devoted partner who will do anything for your love.
Your 20th century toy
I am your modern-day companion who can bring you pleasure and enjoyment.
Fly like a plane
I am adventurous and daring, always seeking new experiences with you.
Drive like a car
I am dependable and reliable, taking us on a journey through life together.
Ball like a hound
I am playful and lively like a dog, always up for some fun.
20th century toy
I am your modern-day lover who can bring you happiness and satisfaction.
I want to be your boy
I long to be your partner in love and life.
20th century boy
I am a modern man who can meet your needs and desires.
Lyrics Β© Spirit Music Group
Written by: Marc Bolan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrMigido
Marc was the enemy of te Music industry. The Stones got their own label first. Marc and EMI came to an agreement.
Unheard of in the day, bar Apple.
You gotta listen to Marcs lyrics on two levels.
He was mates with everyone. Tina Turner hascstated it was Marc that came up with the riff for and plays on the single of Flatbush city limits.
Pink floyed had an office Marc met June there.
"some call me me Arnie, some call me lame, it dont make no difference, man you know I aint tame" arnold layne/cross dressing.
Culminates in loose wheel nuts in a Hawkeind mini with Fox in the rego into sycsmore tree cnr of Queens lane and Gypsey way 16 days before te date he had said three years previous he would be dead by!
Massive back story. Pinky broke from the mould. Boley, Bowie, Glitter, at the extreme Saville.. BBC... Pretty mucked up days.
@mauropacheco5802
Friends say it's fine
Friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Rock 'n Roll
I move like a cat
Charge like a ram
Sting like a bee
Babe I wanna be your man
Well it's plain to see you were meant for me
Yeah, I'm your boy, your 20th Century toy
Friends say it's fine
Friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Rock 'n Roll
Fly like a plane
Drive like a car
Hold out your hand
Babe I'm gonna be your man
And it's plain to see you were meant for me
Yeah, I'm your toy, your 20th Century boy
20th Century toy, I wanna be your boyΒ [4x]
Friends say it's fine
Friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Rock 'n Roll
Move like a cat
Charge like a ram
Sting like a bee
Babe I'm gonna be your man
And it's plain to see
You were meant for me
Yeah I'm your toy
Your 20th Century boy
20th Century toy, I wanna be your boyΒ [4x]
@redblade8160
Mauro Pacheco.
Your lyrics to "20th Century Boy" is wrong! Below are the correct lyrics:
Friends say it's fine, friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood
Yeah!
I move like a cat, charge like a ram
Sting like a bee, babe, I wanna be your man, hey!
Well, it's plain to see you were meant for me, yeah
I'm your boy, your 20th century toy
Yeah!
Friends say it's fine, my friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood
Fly like a plane, drive like a car
Bawl like a hound, babe, I wanna be your man, hoo!
Well, it's plain to see you were meant for me
And I'm your toy, your 20th century boy
20th century toy, I wanna be your boy-ah
20th century toy, I wanna be your boy
20th century toy, I wanna be your boy
20th century toy, I wanna be your boy
Friends say it's fine, friends say it's good
Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood, nah, nah
Move like a cat, charge like a ram
Sting like a bee
Oh, oh, babe, I wanna be your man
And, um, and, oh, oh
Well it's plain to see you were meant for me
And I'm your toy, your 20th century boy
20th century toy, I wanna be your boy
20th century toy, I wanna be your boy
20th century toy, I wanna be your toy
20th century boy-ah, I wanna be your toy
Yeah-ah
Ah, oh, oh, yeah
My friends say it's fine, they say it's good
I don't believe it's like Robin Hood
I'm like a car, I drive like a plane
I wanna hang your head in the falling rain
Ah, oh yeah
Wow!
@shady6131
i can just imagine myself listening to this on full blast, cruising down the road in a truck full of dynamite
@rexgeorg7324
sounds like Blast
@Express-420
@Rex. Georg great song please check out T.Rex - Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow Album Review on my channel
@Express-420
@Toki great song please check out T.Rex - Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow Album Review on my channel
@skagslag1156
Maybe thatβs what Marc was thinking when he totalled his car
@devanshkmishra
βοΈ
@bluenightdk
Christ - this is so good. I was 14 years old when this came out, and it blew me away. Now IΒ΄m 63 and it still blows me away!!
@moos5737
wow and im 14 now...
@steveochs1865
Exactly the same!
@tugboat8475
I've just watched the t-rex documentary on binge. Very interesting