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.
Left Hand Luke & The Beggar Boys
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I`ll unstrap my knees an apologize,
`Cos I`m, Left Hand Luke and the begger boys,
O yes we are.
Ain`t no neighbors, upon our hill,
`Crept slight thigh Be-bop and old gumbo jill,
But I`m, Left Hand Luke and the begger boys,
Ain`t nobody`s some-one,
And it hurts deep inside,
Just call us taxi mama and we`ll take you for a ride,
`Cos we`re, Left Hand Luke and the begger boys.
O yes we are.
Left hand luke and the begger boys,
O yes we are.
Myxomatosis is an animal`s disease,
But I got so shook up mama that it ate away my knees,
And I`m Left Hand Luke and the begger boys,
O yes we are.
Ain`t had no money lord, but it`s plain to see,
If you had some silver mister how much would you pay for me?
`Cos I`m, Left Hand Luke and the begger boys,
O yes we are.
No one`s gonna fool me baby
The song "Left Hand Luke" by T. Rex is a story about a group of outcasts who call themselves the "Beggar Boys". The lead singer, who goes by the name Left Hand Luke, says that even though they are not considered somebody by anyone, they are still united and strong together. The lyrics mention that the group is not well-liked by their neighbors, but Left Hand Luke is unapologetic as he looks everyone in the eye. He admits to an injury, myxomatosis, which has caused degradation in the bones of his knees. He is hesitant to share more information about his condition but he is willing to present it so as to answer any curious inquiries that may arise. The Begger Boys have no money; they have only the strength of their bond. They do not have any particular destination in mind and are willing to offer taxi services as a means of transport; they are willing to go anywhere with anyone who may be in need of their services.
The lyrics showcase the strength found in unity, even among those who are marginalized by society. The words "no one's gonna fool me" suggests that they are satisfied with themselves, regardless of what anyone else might say or think. The idea of identity, whether individual or a member of a group, is also explored in this song. Left Hand Luke is not just his name, but his identity. The lyrics suggest that it is not just an appendage to his being or merely his situation, it becomes him, it is his character, and his persona. The music and melody are an exhilarating amalgamation of rock, glam, and blues that accompanies the story and helps to bring it to life.
Line by Line Meaning
Call yourself friend, and look me in the eye,
Addressing someone who claims to be a friend, I challenge them to make direct eye contact while I unapologetically reveal my true identity: Left Hand Luke, of the group Begger Boys.
I`ll unstrap my knees an apologize,
I don't feel like I need to apologize for my bold personality, but I will try to make amends by undoing my protective gear, revealing my vulnerability and genuineness.
`Cos I`m, Left Hand Luke and the begger boys, O yes we are.
I proudly reiterate my name and claim to be part of the Begger Boys group.
Ain`t no neighbors, upon our hill,`Crept slight thigh Be-bop and old gumbo jill,
Our group is somewhat isolated and quirky, with only two noteworthy characters, Be-bop and Gumbo Jill, around us.
Ain`t nobody`s some-one, And it hurts deep inside, Just call us taxi mama and we`ll take you for a ride, `Cos we`re, Left Hand Luke and the begger boys. O yes we are.
We feel like we don't belong anywhere or to anyone, which causes us emotional pain. We offer our services as drivers, though, and will identify ourselves as Begger Boys with me, Left Hand Luke, being a member.
Left hand luke and the begger boys, O yes we are.
Repeating our name and status within the Begger Boys group, we emphatically assert our presence and proclaim our identity.
Myxomatosis is an animal`s disease, But I got so shook up mama that it ate away my knees, And I`m Left Hand Luke and the begger boys, O yes we are.
My illness, Myxomatosis, which causes swelling and discharge from the eyes and nose, is typically found in animals; however, I am an unfortunate human who's demise has resulted in it eating away at my knees. But even with this affliction, I still retain pride in who I am: Left Hand Luke from the Begger Boys.
Ain`t had no money lord, but it`s plain to see, If you had some silver mister how much would you pay for me? `Cos I`m, Left Hand Luke and the begger boys, O yes we are.
Despite being poor, I know I have value - if someone offered to buy me, how much would they pay? It doesn't matter, because I know who I am and what group I belong to: Left Hand Luke from the Begger Boys.
No one`s gonna fool me baby
I am smart enough to detect deception or trickery by other people.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind