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.
Space Boss
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Space Boss
Wrapped and packed and pressed to go out
Rock and Roll is welcome where I'm at
Are you the space boss
Will you see me at any cost
Are you now
Are you are you are you are you
Are you now
The space boss
Ready the flight thrust
Did you crunch your aircraft
Are you are you are you are you
Are you now
Are you are you are you are you
Are you now
The space boss
The identical twin
And her diluted, fluted grin
Ooh
Are you are you are you are you
Are you now
Are you are you are you are you
Are you now
The space boss
The space boss, say it again
I said, are you are you are you are you
Are you now
Are you are you are you are you
Are you now
The space boss
The space boss
Can you dig it?
Now you've lighted my innermost eye
It's Rock and Roll stuff
Your the Space Boss
It ain't nothin', no it wouldn't be lost
If I could mould my hands with the
Space Boss
Like a S-P-A-C-E
That spells "space" baby
The song "Space Boss" by Marc Bolan is an enigmatic and cosmic tune that incorporates a fusion of rock and roll and outer space references. The opening lines "Wrapped and packed and pressed to go out / Rock and Roll is welcome where I'm at" suggests that Marc Bolan is ready to embark on a journey through space and is inviting rock and roll along for the ride. The lyrics "Are you the space boss / Will you see me at any cost" indicate that Bolan is searching for a leader or guide to navigate through this journey.
The chorus "The space boss / Are you now" repeats throughout the song, reinforcing the idea that Bolan is seeking a space boss to lead the way. The lines "Did you crunch your aircraft" and "The identical twin / And her diluted, fluted grin" create a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere, further emphasizing the cosmic journey. The repetition of "Are you now" becomes more urgent towards the end, as though Bolan is desperate to find his space boss before it's too late.
Overall, "Space Boss" is a trippy and psychedelic song that takes the listener on a journey through space and beyond, as Marc Bolan searches for a space boss to lead the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Wrapped and packed and pressed to go out
I am ready to go out and perform my rock and roll music.
Rock and Roll is welcome where I'm at
I am in a place where rock and roll music is embraced and appreciated.
Are you the space boss
Do you have the power and authority to control the world of rock and roll?
Will you see me at any cost
Will you go out of your way to witness my musical performance?
Ready the flight thrust
Prepare for takeoff and the excitement that comes with it.
Did you crunch your aircraft
Did you damage your spacecraft while landing or performing a maneuver?
The identical twin, and her diluted, fluted grin
The identical twin has a smile that is charming but maybe not genuine.
The space boss, say it again
Reaffirming that the person in charge of rock and roll is present.
Now you've lighted my innermost eye
You have inspired me and given me a new perspective.
It's Rock and Roll stuff
This is the world and culture of rock and roll.
Your the Space Boss
You are the one in control of rock and roll.
It ain't nothin', no it wouldn't be lost
It is not a big deal, and nothing important would be lost if we failed.
If I could mould my hands with the Space Boss
If I could work together with the person in charge of rock and roll, we could accomplish great things.
Like a S-P-A-C-E, That spells "space" baby
Let's embrace the cool and mysterious culture of the space and rock and roll world.
Contributed by Evelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.