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 Groover
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some call me Arnie
Some name me Slim
It don't make no difference
'cause I move right in
They call me the groover
When I'm on the floor
The kids yell for more, more, more
Some named me stud
Yes they do
It don't make no difference
'cause I move in the mud
I said sing it to me children
Yea I'm the groover honey Yea
I'm the groover honey Yea
I'm the groover honey
Well some call me Jeepster
And some name me lame
It don't make no difference
Man you know what it takes
I'm a groover 'cause I move right in
The lyrics to Marc Bolan's song The Groover is all about the singer's alter ego or persona, T. Rex. The song talks about his various nicknames such as Arnie, Slim, Starkey, and stud, but he prefers to be called the Groover. He is like a chameleon, able to blend in with different situations, people, and places. T. Rex is confident and suave, knowing how to work his way around the dance floor, making the kids scream and beg for more of his moves.
The lyrics suggest that T. Rex is a master of reinvention, always transforming himself into someone else, fitting the mold of what people want him to be. It shows that he is not afraid of change and that he doesn't care about what people think of him. He is comfortable in his own skin, knowing that he can be the groover 'cause he moves right in.
Overall, the song is an ode to self-expression, being true to oneself, and embracing one's identity. The lyrics portray a confident and self-assured character who knows his worth and isn't afraid to show it, dancing on the dance floor with charisma and flair.
Line by Line Meaning
T . are . E . X.
T. Rex is the name of my band.
Some call me Arnie
Some people address me as Arnie.
Some name me Slim
Some individuals refer to me as Slim.
It don't make no difference
'cause I move right in
No matter what people call me, I have a natural charisma to fit in.
They call me the groover
When I'm on the floor
The kids yell for more, more, more
When I dance on the floor, people refer to me as the groover since the audience craves for more of my moves.
Some call me Starkey
Some named me stud
Yes they do
It don't make no difference
'cause I move in the mud
People label me Starkey, stud or any other name, but it does not affect me since I am versatile and can adapt anywhere.
I said sing it to me children
Yea I'm the groover honey Yea
I'm the groover honey Yea
I'm the groover honey
I urge the crowd to join me in the song because I am the groover and they are enjoying every bit of it.
Well some call me Jeepster
And some name me lame
It don't make no difference
Man you know what it takes
I'm a groover 'cause I move right in
People might call me Jeepster, lame, or some other nickname, but I don't care because I know how to attract and entertain people. That's why they call me the groover.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelwolter6076
One of the best bands ever!!!!👍👍👍
@original.dwornboy
A one man band. Marc Bolan rules, okay!
@jameskinney9725
My first concert! 1972 Long Beach California “The Slider”❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
@maybe-xh8il
Inspiration for so many others
@bolanlovechild4143
And some call it pure genius entertainment ! As always T REX the best ❤️
@KurtRiley
So grateful to see Marc’s original promo videos coming to the fore on the official account. This may have been the top of the roller coaster, but few have influenced Pixies (and Bowie by proxy) with such a deceptively simple tune...a groove like adamantium-coated Chuck Berry.
KALMIYH. 💙
@chriscampbell9191
Some of Marc Bolan's coolest rhythm guitar work. The B-side, Midnight, had some of his most kickass lead guitar work. Here in the US we only special ordered the domestic 45 or lucked out and got Great Hits on import.
@bobgure
Yes! Crunchy rhythm playing, similar to ‘Sunken Rags’ tone.
Love his playing and superb production here..drum sound etc!
@goonerbeau
With its stomping beat and chant of 'T-R-E-X', things kick into gear.
'The Groover' was the 11th Top 10 hit in a row for T. Rex in the UK - Marc Bolan's final assault on the Top 10 and in many ways, where his golden era ended.
@michaelcameron2292
10 singles in the top 4 2 kept off the top by novelty records Grandad and Long Haired Lover From Liverpool Bolan has some legacy and plenty brilliant albums to boot