Following a career as a teenage model, Marc Bolan began performing music professionally in 1965, releasing his first single, "The Wizard," on Decca Records. Bolan joined the psychedelic folk-rock combo John's Children in 1967, appearing on three unsuccessful singles before the group disbanded later that year. Following the breakup, he formed the folk duo Tyrannosaurus Rex with percussionist Steve Peregrine Took. The duo landed a record deal with a subsidiary of EMI in February 1968, recording their debut album with producer Tony Visconti. "Debora," the group's first single, peaked at number 34 in May of that year, and their debut album, "My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair...But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brow", reached number 15 shortly afterward. The duo released their second album, "Prophets, Seers & Sages, the Angels of the Ages", in November of 1968.
By this time, Tyrannosaurus Rex was building a sizable underground following, which helped Bolan's book of poetry, The Warlock of Love, enter the British best-seller charts. In the summer of 1969, the duo released their third album, "Unicorn", as well as the single "King of the Rumbling Spires," the first Tyrannosaurus Rex song to feature an electric guitar. Following an unsuccessful American tour that fall, Took left or as is often stated by people close to the band, was sacked. He was replaced by Mickey Finn,previously linked to the band Haphash and the coloured coat.(There are a few more artists using the name Mickey Finn,though that is where the connection ends)! The new duo's first single did not chart, yet their first album, 1970's "A Beard of Stars", reached number 21.
The turning point in Bolan's career came in October of 1970, when he shortened the group's name to T.Rex and released "Ride a White Swan," a fuzz-drenched single driven by a rolling backbeat. "Ride a White Swan" became a major hit in the U.K., climbing all the way to number two. The band's next album, T.Rex, peaked at number 13 and stayed on the charts for six months. Encouraged by the results, Bolan expanded T.Rex to a full band, adding bassist Steve Currie and drummer Bill Legend (born Bill Fifield). The new lineup recorded "Hot Love," which spent six weeks at number one in early 1971. That summer, T.Rex released "Get It On" (retitled "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" in the U.S.), which became their second straight U.K. number one; the single would go on to be their biggest international hit, reaching number ten in the U.S. in 1972. "Electric Warrior", the first album recorded by the full band, was released in the fall of 1971; it was number one for six weeks in Britain and cracked America's Top 40.
By now, "T.Rextacy" was in full swing in England, as the band had captured the imaginations of both teenagers and the media with its sequined, heavily made-up appearance; the image of Marc Bolan in a top hat, feather boa, and platform shoes, performing "Get It On" on the BBC became as famous as his music. At the beginning of 1972, T.Rex signed with EMI, setting up a distribution deal for Bolan's own T.Rex Wax Co. record label. "Telegram Sam," the group's first EMI single, became their third number one single.
"Metal Guru" also hit number one, spending four weeks at the top of the chart. The Slider, released in the summer of 1972, shot to number one upon its release, allegedly selling 100,000 copies in four days; the album was also T.Rex's most successful American release, reaching number 17. Appearing in the spring of 1973, Tanx was another Top Five hit for T.Rex; the singles "20th Century Boy" and "The Groover" soon followed it to the upper ranks of the charts. However, those singles would prove to be the band's last two Top Ten hits. In the summer of 1973, rhythm guitarist Jack Green joined the band, as did three backup vocalists, including the American soul singer Gloria Jones; Jones would soon become Bolan's girlfriend. At the beginning of 1974, drummer Bill Legend left the group and was replaced by Davy Lutton, as Jones became the group's keyboardist.
In early 1974, the single "Teenage Dream" was the first record to be released under the name Marc Bolan and T.Rex. The following album, Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow, was the last Bolan recorded with Tony Visconti. Throughout the year, T.Rex's popularity rapidly declined -- by the time "Zip Gun Boogie" was released in November, it could only reach number 41. Finn and Green left the group at the end of the year, while keyboardist Dino Dines joined. The decline of T.Rex's popularity was confirmed when 1975's Bolan's "Zip Gun" failed to chart. Bolan took the rest of the year off, returning in the spring of 1976 with "Futuristic Dragon", which peaked at number 50. Released in the summer of 1976, "I Love to Boogie," a disco-flavored three-chord thumper, became Bolan's last Top 20 hit.
Bolan released "Dandy in the Underworld" in the spring of 1977; it was a modest hit, peaking at number 26. While "The Soul of My Suit" reached number 42 on the charts, T.Rex's next two singles failed to chart. Sensing it was time for a change of direction, Bolan began expanding his horizons in August. In addition to contributing a weekly column for Record Mirror, he hosted his own variety television show, Marc. Featuring guest appearances by artists like David Bowie and Generation X, Marc helped restore Bolan's hip image. Signing with RCA Records, the guitarist formed a new band with bassist Herbie Flowers and drummer Tony Newman, yet he never was able to record with the group. While driving home from a London club with Bolan, Gloria Jones lost control of her car, smashing into a tree. Marc Bolan, riding in the passenger's seat of the car, was killed instantly.
While T.Rex's music was intended to be disposable, it has proven surprisingly influential over the years. Hard rock and heavy metal bands borrowed the group's image, as well as the pounding insistence of their guitars. Punk bands may have discarded the high heels, feather boas, and top hats, yet they adhered to the simple three-chord structures and pop aesthetics that made the band popular, as they still are today 30 years after Marc's death.
Cadillac
Marc Bolan & T.Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby I want to walk you home
Baby I want to walk you home
There's a shadow in my basement
And I'm scared to sleep alone
Baby doesn't everybody bleed
Baby doesn't everybody bleed
I'd slide up there beside you
Yeah
Baby I want to buy you a Cadillac
Baby I want to buy you a Cadillac
I'm going in with my song
But you say you're gonna give it back
Yeah
Baby I love you baby
I love you baby I love you baby
The song "Cadillac" by Marc Bolan T-Rex appears to be a love song to a woman, with Bolan professing his desire to "walk [her] home." However, the lyrics also contain darker references, such as a "shadow in [his] basement" that makes him "scared to sleep alone." Bolan seems to be highlighting the idea that everyone has their own fears and flaws, with the line "Baby doesn't everybody bleed?" suggesting that vulnerability is a universal trait. Despite his fears, Bolan wants to be with the woman he loves, even if it means confronting his own nightmares.
The chorus of the song focuses on the idea of buying the woman a Cadillac, a symbol of luxury and status. Bolan seems to be suggesting that he wants to provide for her and make her happy, but there's a sense of caution as well. He sings, "you say you're gonna give it back," suggesting that perhaps the woman is reluctant to accept such gifts, or that their relationship is more complicated than it appears on the surface. Overall, "Cadillac" is a song that blends romance and darkness, with Bolan's trademark poetic lyrics creating a rich, evocative atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Beginning of the song, expressing excitement or agreement.
Baby I want to walk you home
Expressing desire to accompany the partner.
There's a shadow in my basement
Imagery indicating fear or anxiety about being alone.
And I'm scared to sleep alone
Strong indication of fear and vulnerability being alone.
Baby doesn't everybody bleed
An attempt to rationalize fear by expressing vulnerability as a universal experience.
I'd slide up there beside you
Imagery expressing a desire to be close to the partner.
But my nightmare long too steep
Explanation that fear and anxiety are too overwhelming to take action.
Baby I want to buy you a Cadillac
Expression of a desire to provide for the partner.
I'm going in with my song
Imagery expressing intention to succeed and provide materially.
But you say you're gonna give it back
Resistance from the partner, indicating conflict in their relationship.
Baby I love you baby
Affirmation of romantic feelings towards the partner.
I love you baby I love you baby
Reiteration of romantic feelings towards the partner.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@krispedersen2335
Who on earth would give this a thumbs down?!?! Lol
@kenglasser2534
If anyone is unsure what the personification of charisma is, it is Marc Bolan in this video. The talent, swagger, smile, he had it all.
@pammcmonigle6061
This man was way before his time, and died way too soon! The first album I ever played so much I wore it out.
@aleochi1990
This is the pure Rock N' Roll vibe, long live Marc Bolan & T. Rex
@kirklarson1316
Somehow after being a pretty big fan for 30 plus years, I kinda overlooked this song. My discovery of this footage about a year ago, made me wonder how? Your comment nailed it though.
@aleochi1990
@@kirklarson1316 Yeah, it's raw power and T. Rex at their finest
@chrishutt6650
Far as I'm concerned when it came to fusing Pop, folk & Hard Rock, NOBODY did it better than T-Rex!
@mickclark4480
Possibly Marc’s greatest song!
At the peak of his power here. Awesome!
@greasyflight6609
Cant deny the energy...wish I was there
@pauljones9061
Everyone since Marc owes him so much, imagine seeing this 1972, amazing.
Met him twice, oozed superstar and very very nice.