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.
Get It On
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I knew everything but I was naive
Didn't understand it until the age of eighteen
Yeah, even then I was blind
2012, I remember being in need
True, 2015, you were fallin' for me
You sent through a love letter for me to read
And it's engraved in my mind
She changed the world I know
And it's better for it
Four years later, and look where we really are
Look how far we've come
Look at us now
Oh-oh, we're flying, I finally know I'm here for a reason
Thank you for waiting on me
I'm dying to see her, she's my favourite every season
Thank you for everything
January, baby, I was takin' my time
Spending summer and then we'll be good in July
Why can't it be like this for the rest of my life?
Huh, no, I wouldn't mind
'Cause she changed the world I know
And it's better for it
Four years later, and look where we really are
Look how far we've come
And nothing's changed that much
Look at us now, I'm proud of you
Oh-oh, she's on her way towards me
That means it all gets better soon
I hope my world feels better soon
(I hope my life feels better soon)
You let me do what I needed to
So this one's for you
'Cause even when my worst tricks get in the way
You're here to help me feel safe
I don't need to be with anyone else
I don't need to explain
No, I don't need to explain
She changed the world I know
And it's better for it
Four years later, and look where we really are
She changed the world I know
And it's better for it
She changed the world I know
Look at us now
I'm dying to see her (she changed the world I know)
(And it's better for it)
Four years later, and look where we really are (she changed the world I know)
I'm dying to see her (she changed the world I know)
(And it's better for it)
Look at us now
The lyrics to this song are a reflection of the artist's personal experiences, from being young and naive to growing older and learning about love and the impact it can have on the world. The first verse talks about the artist's past ignorance and how they thought they knew everything until they turned 18 and realized how blind they had been. The second verse is about receiving a love letter in 2015 from someone who started falling for them three years prior in 2012. The impact of this love letter on the artist is engraved in their mind, demonstrating how powerful love can be.
The chorus reflects on how the person who sent the love letter changed the artist's world and how much better it is now. They marvel at how much they've grown and how far they've come together. The bridge thanks the person for waiting for them and for being an essential component of their life. The ending repeats the chorus, emphasizing the significant impact this person has had and how excited the artist is to see them.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back, I guess that ignorance was a breeze
When I was younger, I thought I knew everything, but now I realize I was naive.
Didn't understand it until the age of eighteen
It took me until I was 18 years old to really understand what was going on.
Yeah, even then I was blind
Even though I understood it, I was still not fully aware of the situation.
She changed the world I know
And it's better for it
She had a profound impact on my life and the world I knew, and it's a positive change.
Four years later, and look where we really are
Look how far we've come
After four years, we have come a long way and accomplished a lot.
Oh-oh, we're flying, I finally know I'm here for a reason
Thank you for waiting on me
I now realize my purpose and I am grateful to the person who waited for me to figure it out.
I'm dying to see her, she's my favourite every season
Thank you for everything
I can't wait to see the person I care about, who is my favorite no matter what season it is, and I am thankful for everything they have done for me.
January, baby, I was takin' my time
Spending summer and then we'll be good in July
Why can't it be like this for the rest of my life?
Huh, no, I wouldn't mind
I took my time in January, enjoying the summer before everything is good in July. I wish things could be this way forever, and I wouldn't mind at all.
And nothing's changed that much
Look at us now
Not much has changed since then, and now look at how we are doing.
Oh-oh, she's on her way towards me
That means it all gets better soon
I hope my world feels better soon
(I hope my life feels better soon)
The person I care about is coming to me, which means things will get better soon. I hope my world and life get better as well.
You let me do what I needed to
So this one's for you
You allowed me to do what was necessary, so this song is dedicated to you.
'Cause even when my worst tricks get in the way
You're here to help me feel safe
I don't need to be with anyone else
I don't need to explain
No, I don't need to explain
Even when I am at my lowest, you are here to make me feel safe. I don't need anyone else and I don't need to explain myself to you because you understand me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alexander James O'Connor, Benjamin Charles Francis Baptie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheLizardKing1967
DJDiscoCat you are without a doubt the BEST Mixer in the Business!!! It's hard to believe this great song is fifty years old.. WOW!!
@jamesevans3492
My Now Deceased Older Brother Loved T Rex And Played This Song All The Time Back In 1971 When I Was 9 Years Old, So I Understably Love This Amazing Longer Version Of Bang A Gong, Get It On . . . . Elton John Came From T Rex And Made Quite A Record Collection For Himself . . . Good For Him . . . :-) . . . Rock On Forever . . . :-)
@TheBrooklynbodine
Here's to another fifty, and ETERNITY after that!
@paulsidaway4014
Ain't he just ! I love what he does with these songs. His talent and enthusiasm is second to none. I only subscribe to him. Noone else comes close to our man
@thomastarwater6035
Very well done, indeed! I’m glad DiscoCat worked up another remix of one of my favorite songs. I wish Marc Bolan was still alive. He would have enjoyed this extended rendition. I sure do.
@davidbrunson8407
I liked what the Power Station did with it in 1985 too. I believe David Bowie produced this. He and Marc Bolan were great friends and it devastated Bowie after Bolan's death.
@leecook8818
I got the album ‘Electric Warrior’ back in the day, from which this song came, and is still one of my favourite LPs.
@vynaia
Get it on; bang a gong. Just love it lol. Glam Rock was at it's height in the early 70's. I remember the glam rockers on Saturday Night Special. What a time to see these great musicians and bands. I'm so glad to have lived in that era of such great music. I wouldn't trade my youth in the early 70's for anything. Would do it all over again if I could. Thanx DJDiscoCat!!
@usmc-veteran7316
Me too, I loved the music from the late 60s through the 70s. I became a teenager in May 1968, and I loved rock n roll music. I'd stay in late 60s and 70s. I had so much fun back then. But that all changed when I joined the United States Marine on 5 Oct 1973. I grew up real fast and spent 4 years in the Corps and became a Sergeant in 1977. I almost reenlisted but decided to get out on
4 Oct 77, and let my hair grow. Within 2 years my hair was on my collar. By 21 March 1981, I married the cutest girl in the world and we now have been married 40 years.
@jamesevans3492
Most Excellent Fmr.@@usmc-veteran7316 . . . Rock On Forever . . . :-)