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.
Baby Boomerang
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Riding like a cowboys in the graveyard of the night
New York witch in the dungeon of the day
I'm trying to write my novel but all you do is play
Baby Boomerang, baby Boomerang
Well, you never spike a person
But you always bang the whole gang
Mince pie dog-eyed eagle on the wind
You're searching through this garbage looking for a friend
Your uncle with an alligator chained to his leg
Dangles your freedom then he offers you his bed
Baby Boomerang, baby Boomerang
Well, you never spike a person
But you always bang the whole gang
Thank you ma'am
It seem to me, to dream is something too wild
In Max's Kansas City, you a belladonna child
Riding on the highways, on the gateway to the south
You're talking with your boots and you're walking with your mouth
Baby Boomerang, baby Boomerang
Well, you never spike a person
But you always bang the whole gang
Baby Boomerang, baby Boomerang
Well, you never spike a person
But you always bang the whole gang
Thank you ma'am, yeah
The lyrics of Marc Bolan's song Baby Boomerang are open to interpretation but seem to convey a sense of rebellion against societal norms and a search for freedom in a world that doesn't seem to offer much. The opening lines describe a mysterious and attractive figure, riding through the night like a cowboy. This could represent a desire for adventure and excitement, as well as a rejection of conformity and conventionality. The juxtaposition of the angelic face with the cowboy image adds to the sense of danger and rebellion.
The next lines describe the frustration of trying to write a novel while being distracted by someone who is always playing. This could represent the struggle to focus on personal goals and aspirations in a world that is full of distractions and temptations. The "New York witch" suggests a sense of otherness and strangeness, as well as a potential connection to witchcraft and mysticism. This could reflect a desire to escape from the mundane and embrace something more magical and unknown.
The rest of the lyrics contain more surreal imagery and references to freedom and searching for meaning. The alligator chained to the leg could represent a burden or obstacle that is preventing the singer from achieving their goals. The reference to Max's Kansas City adds a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time and place where anything seemed possible. Overall, the lyrics suggest a desire to break free from the constraints of society and embrace something more wild and exciting.
Line by Line Meaning
Slim lined sheik faced
Describing a slender person with a handsome face
Angel of the night
Someone who is beautiful and graceful in the darkness
Riding like a cowboy
Moving freely and confidently like a cowboy on a horse
In the graveyard of the night
In the darkness and mystery of nighttime
New York witch in the dungeon
A woman who is powerful and mysterious like a witch, in a dark and oppressive environment
Of the day
During the daytime
I'm trying to write my novel
Attempting to creatively express oneself through writing
But all you do is play
But the person nearby is distracting and not contributing to the creative process
Mince pie dog-eye
A description of a small and sharp-eyed animal
Eagle on the wind
A comparison to a majestic eagle soaring through the air
I'm searching through this garbage
Looking through things that are not valuable or useful in search of something important
Looking for a friend
Seeking companionship and connection with others
Your uncle with an alligator
Someone who is strange and unpredictable, like a person with a wild animal by their side
Chained to his leg
Restrained and held back, unable to move freely or make independent decisions
Dangles you your freedom
Offers the illusion of freedom, but with strings attached
Then he offers you his bed
Exploits the vulnerable situation to try to gain an advantage
It seems to me to dream
Reflecting on the nature of dreaming and imagination
Is something too wild
Feels like an unrestrained and chaotic force
In Max's Kansas City
A specific location known for its music scene and creative energy
You a belladonna child
A reference to the deadly nightshade plant, suggesting the person is dangerous and unpredictable
Riding on the highways
Traveling on the roads that connect distant places
On the gateways to the south
Heading towards the Southern regions of the country
You're talking with your boots
Communicating through actions and body language, rather than spoken words
And you're walking with your mouth
Seeming to talk a lot, but not actually saying much of substance
Baby Boomerang
A term of endearment for a person who comes and goes quickly and unpredictably
You never spike a person
You don't intentionally harm others
But you always bang the whole gang
But you do tend to make a big impression on everyone around you
Thank you ma'am
An expression of gratitude, possibly sarcastic or insincere
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: Marc Bolan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind