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.
Cadillac
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby I wanna walk you home
Oh baby I wanna walk you home
There's a shadow in the bedroom
And I'm scared to sleep alone
Baby doesn't everybody weep
Oh baby doesn't everybody weep
I'd slide up there beside you
Yeah
Baby I wanna buy you a Cadillac
Baby I wanna buy you a Cadillac
I bought it with my song
But you say that you're gonna give it back
Yeah
Baby I love you baby
I love you baby I love you baby
The lyrics to Marc Bolan's song "Cadillac" are a mixture of love, fear and desire. The opening line, "Baby I wanna walk you home" conjures up images of chivalry and protection, a man wanting to make sure his loved one gets home safely. However, the second line, "There's a shadow in the bedroom, and I'm scared to sleep alone" takes a dark and vulnerable turn, revealing his own fears and insecurities. These feelings are further emphasized in the next verse, where he wishes to be close to his lover, but his fears prevent him from doing so.
The chorus transitions into a desire to spoil his love with a Cadillac. This dream of appeasing his love with material possessions and his songwriting talent are short-lived as she says she will give it back. The final line, "Baby I love you baby, I love you baby, I love you baby" is a declaration of his love for her, but it is uncertain whether this is enough to salvage the relationship after the return of the Cadillac.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expressing agreement or assent
Baby I wanna walk you home
I want to protect you and make you feel safe
Oh baby I wanna walk you home
Reiterating the desire to protect and care for you
There's a shadow in the bedroom
There is something scary or unknown lurking in the dark
And I'm scared to sleep alone
I don't want to face my fear by myself
Baby doesn't everybody weep
Everyone experiences sadness and pain sometimes
Oh baby doesn't everybody weep
Reiterating that it's natural and normal to feel vulnerable and sad
I'd slide up there beside you
I wish I could be physically close to you for comfort
But my nightmare's oh too steep
My fears and anxieties are too intense to easily overcome
Baby I wanna buy you a Cadillac
I want to show my love and appreciation by giving you a fancy and expensive gift
Baby I wanna buy you a Cadillac
Reiterating the desire to give you something special
I bought it with my song
I earned the money to buy the gift through my talent and hard work as a musician
But you say that you're gonna give it back
You don't want the gift or the attention that comes with it, and would rather have a simpler life
Baby I love you baby
Expressing deep affection and devotion
I love you baby
Reiterating the strong feelings of love and commitment
Contributed by Evan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@krispedersen2335
Who on earth would give this a thumbs down?!?! Lol
@kenglasser2534
If anyone is unsure what the personification of charisma is, it is Marc Bolan in this video. The talent, swagger, smile, he had it all.
@pammcmonigle6061
This man was way before his time, and died way too soon! The first album I ever played so much I wore it out.
@aleochi1990
This is the pure Rock N' Roll vibe, long live Marc Bolan & T. Rex
@kirklarson1316
Somehow after being a pretty big fan for 30 plus years, I kinda overlooked this song. My discovery of this footage about a year ago, made me wonder how? Your comment nailed it though.
@aleochi1990
@@kirklarson1316 Yeah, it's raw power and T. Rex at their finest
@chrishutt6650
Far as I'm concerned when it came to fusing Pop, folk & Hard Rock, NOBODY did it better than T-Rex!
@mickclark4480
Possibly Marc’s greatest song!
At the peak of his power here. Awesome!
@greasyflight6609
Cant deny the energy...wish I was there
@pauljones9061
Everyone since Marc owes him so much, imagine seeing this 1972, amazing.
Met him twice, oozed superstar and very very nice.