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.
Catblack
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been six weeks since she blew her stack
Now she`s fine, she`s all mine
I`m gonna stop her blowin` her mind again
Cat Black she`s my honey
All she wants to do is spend my money
She`s a real-gone chick and I love her so
Knocks me out when she does the rock `n` roll, yeah
Cat Black you know I`m pleased
There`s my heart, and here`s the keys to my
Cadillac, hey Cat Black
You look all pretty, let`s get turned on
And fade away
Cat Black she`s so sweet
She`s so pretty I can hardly speak
Dresses in jeans, gets on scenes
She`s kind and she`s fine to me
Cat Black, you know she`s back
Been six weeks since she blew her stack
Now she`s fine she`s all mine
I`m gonna stop her blowin` her mind again
[Repeat last verse]
The song "Catblack" by T. Rex is a love song that revolves around the singer's (Marc Bolan's) relationship with Cat Black. The lyrics indicate that Cat Black had previously experienced some sort of breakdown or "blew her stack," but has since recovered. The singer loves her passionately and is committed to preventing her from experiencing another emotional breakdown. The lyrics suggest that Cat Black is a woman who loves to have fun and spend her partner's money. However, the singer accepts her for who she is and is mesmerized by her beauty and charm. He idolizes her and takes pride in owning a Cadillac that he can share with her.
The song represents the typical glam rock style of T. Rex, with its hypnotic rhythm, catchy chorus, and prominent guitar riffs. The song's lyrics are ambiguous and open to interpretation, as is the case with many T. Rex songs. One interpretation is that Cat Black represents the glam rock lifestyle, with its extravagant spending and hedonistic tendencies. The singer loves that lifestyle and is happy to be a part of it. Another interpretation is that Cat Black is a metaphor for someone who is deeply troubled but has found a way to cope with their issues. The singer loves and accepts Cat Black for who she is because he sees through her flaws and accepts her unconditionally. The song is an ode to the beauty of imperfection.
Line by Line Meaning
Cat Black, you know she's back
Cat Black, the woman he sings about, has returned from an absence.
Been six weeks since she blew her stack
She had an outburst or tantrum six weeks ago.
Now she's fine, she's all mine
She is now okay and belonging to him.
I'm gonna stop her blowin' her mind again
He wants to keep her from experiencing another breakdown.
Cat Black she's my honey
Cat Black is his lover.
All she wants to do is spend my money
She likes to use his money.
She's a real-gone chick and I love her so
He adores her free-spirited attitude.
Knocks me out when she does the rock 'n' roll, yeah
He is impressed by her rock and roll skills.
Cat Black you know I'm pleased
He is happy to see her.
There's my heart, and here's the keys to my Cadillac, hey Cat Black
He shows his affection for her by giving her his car keys.
You look all pretty, let's get turned on
He thinks she looks great and wants to party with her.
And fade away
He wants to lose himself in the moment with her.
Cat Black she's so sweet
He finds her to be kind and attractive.
She's so pretty I can hardly speak
He is so overwhelmed by her beauty that he can barely talk.
Dresses in jeans, gets on scenes
She wears jeans and goes out in public often.
She's kind and she's fine to me
He appreciates her kindness and finds her attractive.
Cat Black, you know she's back
He repeats that Cat Black has returned.
Been six weeks since she blew her stack
Reiterating that she had a previous outburst.
Now she's fine she's all mine
She is now well and belongs to him.
I'm gonna stop her blowin' her mind again
He will try to prevent her from having another meltdown.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@g9d9g9d9
Catblack the wizard's hat
Spun in lore from Dagamoor
The skull of jade was pearl inlaid
The silks, skin spun, repelled the Sun
A tusk of boar with dwarfish awe
Sobs on the door where stood before
A mountain man with sky-blue teeth
Upon his head a python's wreath
A deer he slew in the dawning's dew
Her heart was a dagger for a murderer's brew.
A toad of jet on a sill cast in brass
Portrayed for his sight mysteries of the past
A yellow orphan dancer rich in Nature's costly gold
Wept for the jailer of time to bless her old
But his kiss he held and shadowed for the spell of nights are strong
And spiralled like a whirlwind in the childhood of a song
Catblack the wizard's back
Daubed in doom in his tounge tombed room
We of the wind must rejoice and speak
And kiss all our starbrowed brothers on the cheek.
@davidmark3788
i love the way he sings and weaves his words together.wonderful so original.What a wonderful imagination and such a special talent
@written12
So do all of us here, though not a few people have no patience for Marc’s dreamy weaving style
@cliffordmargrett8666
God bless you Marc . Your songs will live on forever. Yours Cliff
@MMI5KS
One of the best singers ever,taken too early!!!
@theindoorleague
I’ve had this song in my head a lot of my life
@barrymoon9028
This is simply a song which brought my joy and hope at bad times in the late '70's and I still love it so.
@guillermomidence5631
Amo profundamente esta canción. Gracias Marc Bolan.
@MrParisienWalkways
another one of Marc`s miracles
@arianne.nicole
truly sublime
@arianne.nicole
m a g n i f i c e n t <3 this song makes everything from within and around me just glow and sparkle like a flash of magic good god Marc <3