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.
Light Of Love
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La the light of love *
Oh light of love
Won`t you shine on me
Won`t you shine on me,
Light of love
Won`t you burn it for me
Won`t you burn it for me,
The light of love
The light of love
It won`t shine
It won`t shine for me, yeah **
*Repeat
Oh the light of love,
Won`t you let it shine,
Won`t you let it shine,
The light of love
Oh the fire of love,
Won`t you let it burn,
Won`t you let it burn,
The light of love ***
**Repeat *Repeat ***Repeat
Oh light of love,
Won`t you shine for me,
Won`t you shine for me,
The light of love
In "Light Of Love" by T. Rex, Marc Bolan is singing about the unrequited love that he has for someone else. The song is all about the light and energy that love can bring, and how he's pleading with the universe to let him experience that love. He passionately sings "Oh light of love/Won't you shine on me/Won't you shine on me/Light of love" and later "Oh the light of love/Won't you let it shine/Won't you let it shine/The light of love." Bolan is begging for the light of love to shine upon him, to give him the warmth and'success' that love can bring.
However, he's also acknowledging that the love he's seeking might not be possible. He sings "The light of love/It won't shine/It won't shine for me, yeah." This line suggests that he may have lost faith in the idea of love, or that he may believe he's too unworthy to have this light shine on him. Nonetheless, he still holds onto his desire, and repeats "Oh light of love/Won't you shine for me/Won't you shine for me/The light of love" throughout the song, making it a clear motif.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la la La la la la
The song starts with an upbeat, nonsensical melody to grab the listener's attention.
La the light of love *
The phrase 'Light of Love' is introduced as the central theme of the song.
Oh light of love
The singer addresses the 'Light of Love' as if it were a deity or powerful force.
Won`t you shine on me
The singer asks the 'Light of Love' to have a positive impact on their life.
Won`t you shine on me,
The singer repeats their request for emphasis.
Light of love
The singer repeats the title of the song to reinforce its importance.
Oh won`t you burn,
The singer changes their request, asking the 'Light of Love' to become more intense and passionate.
Won`t you burn it for me
The singer elaborates on their request, asking the 'Light of Love' to ignite their passion and desire.
Won`t you burn it for me,
The singer repeats their request for emphasis.
The light of love
The singer repeats the phrase to reinforce its importance and to transition to the next verse.
It won`t shine
The singer expresses disappointment that their request has not been fulfilled.
It won`t shine for me, yeah **
The singer repeats their disappointment and adds a note of sadness to their tone.
*Repeat
The initial melody is repeated to transition to the chorus.
Oh the light of love,
The singer reintroduces the 'Light of Love' as the central focus of the chorus.
Won`t you let it shine,
The singer asks the 'Light of Love' to be more visible and impactful in their life.
Won`t you let it shine,
The singer repeats their request for emphasis and to transition to the next verse.
The light of love
The singer repeats the phrase to reinforce its importance.
Oh the fire of love,
The singer uses a metaphor to express their desire for a more intense and passionate love.
Won`t you let it burn,
The singer repeats their request for a more intense love.
Won`t you let it burn,
The singer repeats their request for emphasis.
The light of love ***
The singer repeats the phrase to reinforce its importance and to transition to the final chorus.
***Repeat
The previous verse is repeated to transition to the final chorus.
Oh light of love,
The singer addresses the 'Light of Love' one final time with desperation and longing.
Won`t you shine for me,
The singer repeats their request with a sense of urgency and desire.
Won`t you shine for me,
The singer repeats their request for emphasis and to close out the song.
The light of love
The singer repeats the phrase one final time to reinforce the importance and central theme of the song.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-iu3yj2dl8j
Keep a little Marc in your heart! Happy 2024 to all! Peace and Love.
@Tourkat37
Bolan's sounds and songwriting are brilliant!
@MASAI97
The Cosmic Dancer is up there somewhere boogying away for eternity <3
@zarkonian13
Some more effortless music magic. Thanks for sharing your own light of love, Mr. Bolan. It warms our hearts to this day, and it still burns brightly...
@theadministers3533
The Cosmic Dancer is back groovin the scene again.
Reincarnation iz real!
@xdisciplex2776
One of the best of all time, we miss you so Marc 💖
@20SueB
Love this he was one of my all time favourites
@SandraMcCalip
As we all move
to the light . . .
@Michael-hv2cj
Love Marc Bolan and his music
@mattandrews8740
48yrs old and been listening since I was was a kiddy and its still as good.
R.I.P. Marc Bolan