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.
Truck On
Marc Bolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Tyke baby
You're a slender living lady
You're dynamite
You're a jeep mouth dancer
You're a right on dancer
You got gangster's legs
Like a song I truck on
I'm a jive brain bender I'm everyone
Got electric deep in me
I'm a space age cowboy
Ride dinosaurs
Like a song I truck on
Oh Tyke baby
You're a palamino baby
'Cos you move along
People put you down
'Cos you're too low on the ground
They can't hurt though
'Cos you're cosmic
The lyrics to Marc Bolan's "Truck On" are a reflection on the power of individuality and the ability to persevere through obstacles. The reference to a "slender living lady" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fragile nature of human existence. However, despite her delicate appearance, she is described as dynamite, suggesting a hidden strength that is often underestimated. The line about the "jeep mouth dancer" and "gangster's legs" speaks to themes of rebellion and non-conformity, reinforcing the idea that individuality is something to be celebrated and not suppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Truck on Truck on Truck on Truck on Tyke
Continuing on and on, powering through obstacles and difficulties like a truck, specifically addressing Tyke, presumably a nickname for someone close to the singer
Oh Tyke baby
Addressing the person known as Tyke in an affectionate way
You're a slender living lady
Tyke is a slim person with an energetic and vibrant spirit
You're dynamite
Tyke has an explosive personality, full of energy and excitement
You're a jeep mouth dancer
Tyke has an amazing sense of rhythm and dancing style
You're a right on dancer
Tyke's dancing style is current and trendy, very popular among the youth
You got gangster's legs
Tyke has strong and muscular legs, similar to those of a mobster or someone who works hard labor
Like a song I truck on
In the same way that a song is played repeatedly, the singer keeps going, persevering through obstacles
You're a silver-stud fender
Tyke has a flashy exterior with an attractive demeanor, like the chrome bumper of a car
I'm a jive brain bender I'm everyone
The singer is a master of improvisation and adaptation, so much so that they feel like they can change into anyone depending on the situation
Got electric deep in me
The singer has a deep passion and energy within them, like an electric current
I'm a space age cowboy
The singer sees themselves as a modern, futuristic person, combining different styles and ideas
Ride dinosaurs
Similar to the space age cowboy persona, the singer feels adventurous and daring, like traveling back in time and riding dinosaurs would be a fun experience
Like a song I truck on
Repeating the line from earlier, the singer keeps pushing on, likening their perseverance to the continuity of a song
Oh Tyke baby
Returning to the affectionate address of Tyke
You're a palamino baby
Tyke has a light-colored, purebred appearance, like that of a palomino horse
'Cos you move along
Tyke has a natural grace and fluidity to their movements
People put you down
Others criticize and belittle Tyke, despite their positive qualities
'Cos you're too low on the ground
Tyke may be shorter or less prominent than others, making them an easy target for negativity
They can't hurt though
Despite the negativity, Tyke remains resilient and impervious to the opinions of others
'Cos you're cosmic
Tyke is a special, otherworldly person who is not bound by earthy criticisms and judgments
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Holcroft1969
I haven't heard Marc for a long time now and he is still just as good as ever.
@Joseph-vl7ik
Another awesome t.rex some
Everything they did was brilliant.
Don't think they ever had a bad song.
@soundartcoalition
one of my fave T.Rex singles the guitars are great!
@rogerhoward7498
One of the Truly Great later T.Rex Singles.
The Cello part in this track is also Bloody Brilliant.
The Cello part rocks just as much as the rock guitars do.
Some of the greatest string part arrangements that had ever graced a T-Rex single are to be found on this song, not just great in arrangement but also how the strings were recorded.
@delflord
I actually LOVE this track..great lyrics and a punchy rythmn!..rock on Marc! Delf n Kaz x
@SuperOniu
LOVE IT ...ROCK ON AND ALL THE BEST FROM ROMANIA
@andytrex
It may not be Marc's best but you've got to love lyrics like "With my silver studded Fender, I'm a child brain bender"! Only TV promotional appearance was a tea time slot on Lift Off With Ayshea on ITV with Mickey Finn on drums as Bill Legend had just left the band.The B-side (as ever) was another quality song "Sitting Here". Great photos. Thanks for posting.
@andytrex
Sadly no, T.Rex didn't promote Truck On on TOTP. Lift Off was the only appearance. At the time Marc Bolan could only be in the UK for so many days a year to avoid paying UK tax at 99% of earnings (unbelievable but true!). The photos inside the Zinc Alloy cover of Marc with shorter hair standing with Jack Green on guitar are from the Lift Off show. The last TOTP appearance of the classic line up was for The Groover in June 1973 which has been lost by the BBC.
@stephengoulding1595
Great track
@Tourkat37
Very Kool track. Has great lines ...'Ride dinosaurs.....gangsters legs.....cause you're cosmic.' Drums sound good, the weird egyptian-esque effect, a good vibe, and a lot of Marc 'YEAHS!'