Marc Bolan (born Mark Feld; 30 September 1947 – 16 September 1977) was an E… Read Full Bio ↴Marc Bolan (born Mark Feld; 30 September 1947 – 16 September 1977) was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist. His music, as well as his highly original sense of style and extraordinary stage presence, helped create the glam rock era of the 1970s which made him one of the most recognisable stars in British rock music

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.

Jasmine '49
Marc Bolan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jasmine 49 baby, is a number that ain't mine
Drinking scented tea with someboy on your knee
and that somebody ain't me, no
Jasmine 49 is a number that is fine
Jasmine 49 baby, is a number that ain't mine
And don't let it ever be said
That I'm crazy in the head
From drinking scented tea with nobody else but me, and

Jasmine 42 is a number I gave to you
Jasmine 43 babe is a number you gave to me

Jasmine 49 baby, is a buzz that's so divine
And I can't think of anybody less inclined
To go out and blow their mind and realize everything
That they do and fantasize everything that's true
Jasmine 49 baby, is a buzz that's so d-d-d-divine

Jasine 49 babe, is a buzz that just ain't mine.

Overall Meaning

The song "Jasmine '49" by Marc Bolan is a melancholic reflection on unrequited love. The lyrics speak to the pain of watching the person you love be with someone else, represented metaphorically by the number "Jasmine 49." The singer expresses their feelings of jealousy and longing as they watch the object of their affection drinking "scented tea with somebody on [their] knee" who isn't them. The repetition of the phrase "Jasmine 49 baby, is a number that ain't mine" serves as a reminder of the singer's inability to be with the one they love.

The second half of the song delves deeper into the singer's emotions, speaking to their sense of resignation and defeat. The line "And I can't think of anybody less inclined to go out and blow their mind" speaks to the fact that the singer is not one to take risks or step out of their comfort zone to pursue the person they love. The final line, "Jasmine 49 babe, is a buzz that just ain't mine," echoes the sentiment of the rest of the song, leaving the listener with a sense of sadness and unfulfilled desire.

Line by Line Meaning

Jasmine 49 baby, is a number that ain't mine
The subject is referring to a person named Jasmine 49, who they are not with or associated with.

Drinking scented tea with someboy on your knee
Jasmine 49 is drinking tea with someone who is not the subject, and is possibly romantically involved with them.

and that somebody ain't me, no
The subject confirms that they are not the person drinking tea with Jasmine 49.

Jasmine 49 is a number that is fine
The subject acknowledges that Jasmine 49 is a good number or symbol for something, but it is not theirs.

And don't let it ever be said
The subject is issuing a warning that they do not want this situation to be misunderstood.

That I'm crazy in the head
The subject is worried that people might think they are crazy for being jealous of Jasmine 49's relationship with someone else.

From drinking scented tea with nobody else but me, and
The subject is trying to justify their jealousy by saying that they have only ever drank scented tea with Jasmine 49, and that the other person is not in the picture.

Jasmine 42 is a number I gave to you
The subject is referring to an exchange where they gave the number or symbol of Jasmine 42 to the other person, possibly as a sign of affection.

Jasmine 43 babe is a number you gave to me
The other person has given the subject a different Jasmine number or symbol, possibly as a sign of affection.

Jasmine 49 baby, is a buzz that's so divine
The subject is expressing their admiration for Jasmine 49, even though they cannot be with them.

And I can't think of anybody less inclined
The subject cannot imagine anyone less suitable for Jasmine 49 than themselves.

To go out and blow their mind and realize everything
The subject believes that they are not adventurous or open-minded enough to be with Jasmine 49.

That they do and fantasize everything that's true
Jasmine 49 embodies a fantasy or dream that the subject cannot make a reality, but still holds onto.

Jasmine 49 baby, is a buzz that's so d-d-d-divine
The subject repeats their enthusiasm for Jasmine 49, but adds a stutter or hesitation to emphasize their desire.

Jasine 49 babe, is a buzz that just ain't mine.
The subject concludes that even though they admire Jasmine 49, they cannot have them and must accept this fact.

Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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