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 Soul Of My Suit
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You pulled my love out by the roots
But I'm not such a bad boy - oh no
You ravished the runes of my tunes
You put on the gloves of my loves
But you're not such a bad girl - oh no
Rock and rolled it, yeah
Rock and rolled it even strolled it, baby
Rock and rolled it, yeah
I love you, yeah
The lyrics of Marc Bolan's song The Soul Of My Suit describe a relationship where two people have hurt each other emotionally, yet remain enamored with each other. Bolan uses poetic language to express how his lover has "damaged the soul of [his] suit" and "pulled [his] love out by the roots." Despite this, Bolan insists he is "not such a bad boy," and that his lover is "not such a bad girl." The implication is that neither party is blameless in the destruction of their love, and that they both must take responsibility for their actions.
Bolan also references music in the lyrics, describing how his lover has "ravished the runes of [his] tunes" and "put on the gloves of [his] loves." This suggests that music is an integral part of their relationship, and that his lover has been intimately involved in Bolan's creative process. The chorus of the song is an energetic celebration of rock and roll, with Bolan proclaiming his love for his partner while urging them to "rock and rolled it even strolled it." In this way, the lyrics of The Soul Of My Suit express the complicated, often contradictory emotions that can arise in a tumultuous romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you damaged the soul of my suit
Your actions have hurt me deeply, like the very fabric of my being.
You pulled my love out by the roots
You uprooted my feelings of love and left me feeling exposed and vulnerable.
But I'm not such a bad boy - oh no
Despite my pain, I still maintain a positive self-image and refuse to let your actions define me as a person.
You ravished the runes of my tunes
You completely destroyed the symbolism and meaning behind my music, leaving it meaningless.
You put on the gloves of my loves
You took control of my emotions and used them to your advantage.
But you're not such a bad girl - oh no
Despite your destructive behavior towards me, I am willing to forgive and see the good in you.
Rock and rolled it even strolled it, baby
We went through ups and downs, but kept on moving forward together.
Rock and rolled it, yeah
Our relationship was turbulent, but ultimately we enjoyed the ride.
Rock and rolled it even strolled it, baby
In good times and bad, we stuck together and continued on our path.
Rock and rolled it, yeah
Our relationship was wild and exciting, full of unexpected twists and turns.
I love you, yeah
Despite everything that has happened, my love for you endures.
Lyrics © SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
[Intro]
Naa nana nana nana, oh yeah
Naa
[Verse 1]
Well you damaged the soul of my suit
You pulled my love out by the roots
But I'm not such a bad boy, oh no
[Verse 2]
You ravished the runes of my tunes
You put on the gloves of my loves
But you're not a bad girl, oh no
[Chorus]
Rock and rolled it, even strolled it, baby
Rock and rolled it, yeah
[Outro]
I love you, yeah
@user-iu3yj2dl8j
A great song in 2024. We love you, Marc.
@Starman-zn2hw
This is a woefully undervalued song in his catalogue. Never has got the love it deserved.
@frankduerfeld
Didn‘t know, how i missed this.
@teawarlock
Marc Bolan saved my life 💜
@carolrunham1362
I was Trex fan back in 1971 to 1977 aged 19 i was 13 when i got into Marc bolan and still am to this day and now im 62 my love for Marc bolan and Trex has never died went to Golders Green in 2018 to pay my repects to my biggest pop idol Marc bolan he was the greatest ever we had back in the 1970s when music was at its highest 🎶🎶🎵🎵👌✌️👍🇬🇧
@teddybaldric9973
Yeah that's how you know good songs they always relevant. Hope your good and everything going great with you ?
@mikeyg8002
Why is everyone saying he died in Golders Green? I went to the memorial while staying in a Golders Green hotel. It's clear across town. Took more than an hour to get there on mass transit. Am I tripping?
@cerriberry6835
I’ve never been but don’t people put ribbons round the tree and flowers etc,,,,maybe the tree isn’t there anymore 🤷♀️ he is one fascinating beautiful human being and he was really a poet.....his music lives on in my heart. We love you marc❤❤❤❤❤
@rb-hc8rl
@Mikey G Marcs grave is in golders green cemetry there is a bench with a swan carved in the wood and a plaque on the wall near the entrance.
@richardemery839
this is by far one of the best songs he ever wrote, huge T-REX fan from the earliest days, the lyrics are brilliant.