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.
The Beginning Of Doves
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only crystal legends know I've lost the Kissing Ring
The ring was golden small, unseen to those who crawl
For lovers all walk tall, they've seen most everything
The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
The battle sins of some are acquainted
The legend on him snag, and making it all a drag
When the Kissing Ring is found, they'll destroy the only sound
The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
In Marc Bolan's song The Beginning Of Doves, the singer references Egyptian mythology and the concept of a Kissing Ring, which only a select few know about. The Kissing Ring appears to hold significance for lovers, as those who possess it walk tall and have seen "most everything". The implication is that the loss of the Kissing Ring has led to the singer's downfall, as they now harbour a sense of loss and longing. The second verse offers more detail on this state, implying that the singer is burdened by the "battle sins" of someone else, who seems to be a nocturnal presence that disturbs the peace. The reference to shoes "pulling time" could suggest a feeling of being held back or trapped.
The overall tone of the song is melancholic and introspective, with the repeated refrain of "the ring was the thing that made it all begin" giving the impression that the singer is looking back on a past time with a sense of regret. There is a sense of longing for something that has been lost, and the song suggests that this loss has somehow left the singer feeling incomplete or uncertain. The references to mythology and legend add a degree of mystique to the song, creating a sense of a timeless narrative that is being retold.
Line by Line Meaning
Egyptian song singer how it's always been
Aspiring to be like Egypt's legendary singers, always staying true to his roots
Only crystal legends know I've lost the Kissing Ring
Only the most renowned musicians understand the pain of losing an important aspect of their musical identity
The ring was golden small, unseen to those who crawl
The Kissing Ring was a valuable, but subtle token that went unnoticed by the uninitiated
For lovers all walk tall, they've seen most everything
Experienced lovers are self-assured and have a better understanding of the complexities of love
The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
The Kissing Ring was the catalyst that started everything off
The battle sins of some are acquainted
The regretful actions of some people are all too familiar
With a son who only walks at night with shoes in pulling time
The son referred to only feels alive when he's walking at night, in time with the rhythm of his shoes
The legend on him snag, and making it all a drag
The weight of expectation and reputation is a burden that's hard to shake off
When the Kissing Ring is found, they'll destroy the only sound
Some people will go to any lengths to obliterate the signs of those who came before them
The ring was the thing that made it all begin, doo-doo-da
The Kissing Ring was the starting point of everything, and there's no escaping its significance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Oliver Sutton
"There's 12 versions of this album, I think this is the 1st version from 1974." I agree, this is the version I remember. Thanks for posting.
ian west
Bolan@his BEST!
Ronald Chu
Fucking awsome
tracy reynolds
nothing else like it
Thomas Huth
The early works. Not for anybody but I like it.
Hans Müller
doch, stimmt, yes Sir :)
Hans Müller
early ????????