T.Rex was a primary force in glam rock, thanks to the creative direction of guitarist/vocalist Marc Bolan (born Mark Feld). Bolan created a deliberately trashy form of rock and roll that was proud of its own disposability, which stood in contrast to the low-key whimsical poetry of the earlier duo. T.Rex's music borrowed the underlying sexuality of early rock & roll, adding dirty, simple grooves and fat distorted guitars, as well as an overarching folky/hippie spirituality that always came through the clearest on ballads. While most of his peers concentrated on making cohesive albums, Bolan kept the idea of a three-minute pop single alive in the early 1970s. In Britain, he became a superstar, sparking a period of "T.Rextacy" among the pop audience with a series of Top Ten hits, including four number one singles. Over in America, the group only had one major hit -- the Top Ten "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" -- before disappearing from the charts in 1973. T.Rex's popularity in the U.K. didn't begin to waver until 1975, and they retained a devoted following until Marc Bolan's death in 1977. Over the next three decades, Bolan has emerged as a cult figure and the music of T.Rex has proved quite influential on hard rock, punk, new wave, and alternative rock.
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.
All Alone
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the things
That I'll never know
How, did I, end up, all alone
All alone
All alone
All alone
All alone
The lyrics in T. Rex's song "All Alone" are a vivid depiction of the author's attempts to write his novel while being surrounded by distractions. The first two lines refer to a "Slim lined sheik faced Angel of the night" who seems to be a representation of the author's muse or inspiration. He then goes on to describe his current location, the "graveyard of the night," and contrasts it with the "dungeon of the day" where a "New York witch" seems to hold sway. The contrast between darkness and light is further explored in the third line where the author laments his inability to focus on his work while all those around him are free to "play."
The second verse takes a surreal turn with its references to a "baby boomerang" and a "mice pie dog-eye." These could be interpreted as nonsense phrases meant to evoke a sense of confusion and disorientation. The next line, however, brings the focus back to the author's search for a friend amidst the chaos. The imagery of an uncle with an alligator chained to his leg symbolizes the burden of responsibility that can come with seeking freedom. The final lines of the verse describe the author's feelings of disillusionment with his dreams and the sense that his place in the world is uncertain.
Overall, "All Alone" presents a portrait of artistic frustration and the struggle to find meaning in a world that seems chaotic and hostile. The imagery and symbolism used in the lyrics are open to interpretation, but they create a vivid impression of a restless and searching mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Slim lined sheik faced
Describing the appearance of a person who is tall and slim with well-defined facial features
Angel of the night
Comparing the person's appearance or demeanor to that of an ethereal being associated with darkness and mystery
In the graveyard of the night
Emphasizing the darkness and eeriness of the environment or situation
New york witch in the dungeon
Describing the person as a magical figure with a mystical quality, perhaps in a dark and oppressive place or state of mind
Of the day
Showing a contrast between the person's magical nature and the mundane reality of everyday life
I'm trying to write my novel
Expressing the singer's desire to create something artistic or meaningful
All you do is play
Bemoaning someone else's lack of responsibility or dedication, perhaps in a romantic relationship
Baby boomerang
Using a quirky phrase to express the idea of things coming back around or returning unexpectedly
Mice pie dog-eye
Using nonsensical imagery to create a mood or impression of confusion and chaos
Eagle on the wind
Using majestic imagery to suggest a sense of power or freedom
I'm searching through this garbage
Metaphorically describing the singer's search for something meaningful or valuable in a seemingly hopeless and degraded situation
Looking for a friend
Expressing the artist's desire for companionship or human connection in a lonely or difficult time
Your uncle with an alligator
Using absurd imagery to create a sense of danger or unpredictability
Chained to his leg
Further emphasizing the danger and instability of the situation
Dangles you your freedom
Suggesting that the person is being offered the prospect of escape or liberation, but at a heavy price
Then he offers you his bed
Further emphasizing the manipulative and exploitative nature of the situation
It seems to me to dream
Expressing the artist's sense of confusion or uncertainty
Is something too wild
Suggesting that the singer feels that their aspirations or ambitions are beyond what is considered normal or acceptable
In Max's Kansas City
Referencing a legendary venue in New York City, associated with the art, music, and social scene of the 60s and 70s
You a belladonna child
Using a poisonous flower as a metaphor for the artist's sense of danger, transgression, or otherness
Riding on the highways
Suggesting a sense of travel, movement, or change
On the gateways to the south
Further emphasizing the idea of travel or exploration, perhaps with a sense of escape or liberation
You're talking with your boots
Using an idiosyncratic phrase to suggest a sense of self-expression or rebellion
And you're walking with your mouth
Further emphasizing the idea of self-expression or communication, perhaps with a sense of defiance or challenge
You never spike a person
Using a paradoxical statement to express the idea of someone who is both violent and restrained
But you always bang the whole gang
Again using a contradictory statement to suggest the power or influence that the person has over others
Thank you ma'am
A somewhat ironic or sarcastic phrase, used to suggest the end of an interaction or conversation
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Rex Wiseman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cats raptor231
All alone I sit and listen to this song in quarantine; quarantine couldn't get any better!
Graham Rogers
Amazing song. It should have sold millions.
Foldisfitch
@BoogieBoy69 BoogieWoogie Right on! No top 10 funeral!
BoogieBoy69 BoogieWoogie
i'm glad it didn't, so i belong the few thousands who know and love it. i do it since mid eighties. 45 now
Vilos Cohaagen
Good I can't stop listening to this.
Aznageel
Great vocals
ingo weinard
gorgeous song and album-i love Futuristic Dragon!
William Fisher
Love it
paul southern
Steves' Bass is Tops!
Juno
As ever! SC was a great musician, best T.Rex bass player. RIP Steve