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.
Thunderwing
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I saw the legs that I love
I was thinking about drinking something
When I saw the legs that I love
I bought a car 'twas a low slung Thunderwing
It moved like the sun of the dawn
My little baby she's a tip-a-toed vamp rider
Yeah, get it on
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Get it on, get it on whooo
Well my wings had grooves
And my baseball boots bounce
When I hear the music I love
A soapbox chord was the start of my wandering
When I hear the music I love
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
The lyrics of "Thunderwing" by Marc Bolan are a love letter to a woman's legs, which the singer sees as he is walking down the "skyway." The singer notes that he was thinking about drinking something, but those thoughts quickly dissipate as he sees the legs that he loves. He then proceeds to buy a car, which he identifies as a "low slung Thunderwing." This car, in his eyes, is able to move like the sun of dawn, and he dubs his partner a "tip-toed vamp rider" who also moves like the sun of dawn. The singer then proceeds to encourage her to indulge in her desires and do her thing, love on the Thunderwing.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking down the skyway my way
I was casually walking down my path, as best I just knew how.
When I saw the legs that I love
Suddenly I spied the attractive legs of my beloved, and my heart skipped a beat.
I was thinking about drinking something
I was contemplating quenching my thirst with a drink.
When I saw the legs that I love
But then I was distracted by the legs of my love once again.
I bought a car 'twas a low slung Thunderwing
I acquired a vehicle, a sleek and low Thunderwing model.
It moved like the sun of the dawn
The car was so fast it felt like I was traveling with the sunrise.
My little baby she's a tip-a-toed vamp rider
My companion is a charming and seductive motorcycle rider on tiptoes.
She moves like the sun of the dawn
She is as exhilarating as the dawn's early light when she rides.
Yeah, get it on
Expressing enthusiasm for getting busy or starting a good time.
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Enjoy yourself, have fun, and revel in being alive, while riding the Thunderwing.
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Reiterate the previous line as a mantra or an expression of exuberance.
Get it on, get it on whooo
Re-emphasizing the importance of having a good time and celebrating life to the fullest.
Well my wings had grooves
The grooved sections of my vehicle were now seen.
And my baseball boots bounce
I wore shoes that added to my comfort and vibrance while moving forward.
When I hear the music I love
The melody of my adored music filled my ears.
A soapbox chord was the start of my wandering
A stirring and heartfelt melody was where my wandering journey began.
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Encouragement to revel in life, happiness and enjoyment that comes with riding a Thunderwing.
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Repeat the call for joy and celebration, while sitting on a Thunderwing.
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Further express the joy, pleasure and satisfaction derived from riding a Thunderwing.
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Reiterate happiness felt while engaging in activities that bring pure bliss.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: Marc Bolan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ll po
I was walking down the skyway my way
When I saw the legs that I love
I was thinking about drinking something
When I saw the legs that I love
I bought a car 'twas a low slung thunderwing
It moved like the sun of the dawn
My little baby she's a tip-a-toed vamp rider
She moves like the sun of the dawn
Ooh
Yeah, get it on
Do your thing,
Love on the Thunderwing
Do your thing, love on the Thunderwing
Yeah
Get it on, get it on whooo
Well my wings had grooves
And my baseball boots bounce
When I hear the music I love
A soapbox chord was the start of my wandering
When I hear the music I love
Zinc Alloy
Marc was at his best when he kept it simple . . . nice easy riff - simple chord structure - solo so slight it could be a lick - unexpected key change at the end . . . pure perfection 🐸
Paul Vallance
What gems these singles were. The graphic design of the covers and record centres was great as well.
celticoverall
Every single had the same graphics, simple but great. when Children of the revolution came out,, the changed it to a red on white,,,, looked brilliant
Richard Diddler
My little lady, she's a tippytoed Vambarawriter.🤯👍👍
This guy could do it all, write, perform and get into our souls.
Bless you Marc❤
David Brasier
Tippytoed ramble rider ❤🎉
P Watts
Bolan was renowned for his B sides and this is one of the best.
Rhod Sullivan
100% agree.
hearditman
Cadillac.
kevin joseph
it states A side, not B..odd it wasnt on tanx
Luke Hallinan
B sides were such a part of buying a single. Some were outstanding such as this pair.