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.
King of the Mountain Cometh
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
Ow!!
The King of the Mountain cometh
On his arm there was a dove
He called it his Falcon of Love, oh yeah
Called his Falcon of Love
do-duluddle do doh
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
Ahhh!!
The Mage of the Midnight Abbey
Was a child of fifteen years
His eyes were bored with galactic lore
He had points upon his ears, oh yeah
Points upon his ears
do-duluddle do doh
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
Ahhh!!
The Wild-Witch Wizard of Esher
Was a changeling son from Mars
He learned his song from the Cosmic Throngs
And played them on a Fender guitar, oh yeah
And played them on a Fender guitar
do-duluddle do doh
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
Ahhh!!
The woman from the Plateaus of Persia
Came to sell me a wonderous thing
In a horn of oak with a sulpherous smoke
She gave me King Solomon's Ring, oh yeah
Gave me the magical thing
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
Ow!!
The King of the Mountain cometh
On his arm there was a dove
In livery green and tapestry clean
He called it his Falcon of Love, oh yeah
Called his Falcon of Love
do-duluddle do doh
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
Ahhh!!
The lyrics of T. Rex's "King of the Mountain Cometh" are infused with fantastical imagery and mystical references. The song begins with the counting in of "do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau," which serves to pull the listener into the otherworldly realm that the lyrics create. As the song proceeds, it introduces us to four characters – the King of the Mountain, the Mage of the Midnight Abbey, the Wild-Witch Wizard of Esher, and the woman from the Plateaus of Persia – each described in surreal and magical language. The imagery evoked is wonderfully vivid, with the King of the Mountain riding in wearing a livery green and accompanied by a falcon, while the Mage of the Midnight Abbey has points upon his ears and eyes bored with galactic lore. The Wild-Witch Wizard of Esher, on the other hand, plays mystical songs on his Fender guitar, while the woman from the Plateaus of Persia bestows upon the singer a magical thing, King Solomon's Ring. The song finishes with a reiteration of the King of the Mountain's entrance, bringing the whole fantastical journey full circle.
Thematically, "King of the Mountain Cometh" portrays a world where the mystical and fantastical coexist with the ordinary, and where the veil between realities is often thin. The song seems to hint at a world where anything is possible, a world where dreams and magic can become reality. It is a testament to the creative genius of Marc Bolan, who wrote the song and performed it with his band T. Rex. Bolan's poetic lyrics, along with his musical virtuosity, make "King of the Mountain Cometh" a captivating musical experience.
Line by Line Meaning
One...Two...Three...Four....
Counting down before the start of the song
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
Musical sound representing the beat and rhythm of the song
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
Musical sound representing the beat and rhythm of the song
do-duluddle, luddle, dau dau
Musical sound representing the beat and rhythm of the song
do-duluddle, luddle, dau, dau
Musical sound representing the beat and rhythm of the song
Ow!!
Exclamation indicating excitement or surprise
The King of the Mountain cometh
The arrival of a powerful and influential figure
On his arm there was a dove
The King had a symbol of peace and purity with him
In livery green and tapestry clean
The dove was adorned with fancy clothing
He called it his Falcon of Love, oh yeah
The King had a strong affection for the dove
Called his Falcon of Love
Repeating the King's affection towards the dove
Ahhh!!
Exclamation indicating excitement or surprise
The Mage of the Midnight Abbey
A mystical figure that resides in a dark and mysterious location
Was a child of fifteen years
Despite his young age, the Mage was very powerful and experienced
His eyes were bored with galactic lore
The Mage had extensive knowledge about the universe and was uninterested with common knowledge
He had points upon his ears, oh yeah
The Mage had physical attributes that made him different from others
Points upon his ears
Repeating the Mage's physical attributes
The Wild-Witch Wizard of Esher
A witch and wizard from a far-off land
Was a changeling son from Mars
The Wild-Witch Wizard was originally from another planet and had the ability to morph into different forms
He learned his song from the Cosmic Throngs
The Wild-Witch Wizard was influenced by the cosmic forces in the universe
And played them on a Fender guitar, oh yeah
The Wild-Witch Wizard used modern and earthly instruments to play his cosmic-inspired music
And played them on a Fender guitar
Repeating the Wild-Witch Wizard's music style
The woman from the Plateaus of Persia
A woman from a specific region in Persia
Came to sell me a wonderous thing
The woman had something to offer of great wonder and amazement
In a horn of oak with a sulpherous smoke
The item for sale was presented in a smoky and eerie container
She gave me King Solomon's Ring, oh yeah
The item for sale was the powerful and magical Ring of King Solomon
Gave me the magical thing
Repeating the woman's offer of the magical ring
Ahhh!!
Exclamation indicating excitement or surprise
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@waynetaylor4995
Vastly underated and overlooked song, definitely one of his best
@waynetaylor4995
Fantastic song, Marc was great !!!!
@megaspongebob6
,Marc never stopped writing tunes for twelve years or so,lots of styles too....very talented man.
@MrParisienWalkways
Correct Scott Dove, Marc never ran out of melodies, such a prolific writer, a massive body of work in only 9 years, I don’t think anyone compares with that.
@irisdainter6507
This guy made great tunes.
@consul1957
I absolutely love this song.
@bronekkram4663
Always, always, always a favourite track. And after all these years its only now I realise its a two-chord song. It's now my favourite two-chord song (sorry Whole Wide World and Paperback Writer!! ...) I've always kept a little Marc in my heart.
@kellyreade6355
Beautiful, amazing, awesome - and pure Bolan. xx
@1stMistyMist1
Thanks, I know, I love his music ! xxx
@Fogon59
Superb...What a genius Marc was at this point in his career.