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.
Love Drunk
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can I conceal my sorrow
Shattered dreams in micro-heated beams means love...
I'm a love drunk
Frozen days, the old extended plays
Of Elvis Presley and that funky old Hound Dog
Faded pics and misty twisted kicks spell "love"
I'm a love drunk
Drunk on love, so drunk
I'm a love drunk
Drunk on love, so drunk
I'm a love drunk
The lyrics to T. Rex's Love Drunk depict a scene of loneliness and heartbreak, as the singer finds themselves alone in their room at night, struggling to hide their deep sorrow. The imagery of "shattered dreams in micro-heated beams" suggests a feeling of being trapped in a small space, perhaps surrounded by the remnants of lost love. The reference to Elvis Presley and his song Hound Dog conjures up memories of a more carefree time, a time of "faded pics and misty twisted kicks," which now only serve to remind the singer of their unrequited love. Despite their pain, the singer cannot help but succumb to the overwhelming emotions of being "drunk on love."
Overall, the lyrics to Love Drunk convey a sense of desperation and longing, as the singer struggles to come to terms with their unrequited love. The imagery of shattered dreams, faded pics, and misty twisted kicks all serve to emphasize the pain and heartbreak that the singer is experiencing, while the repeated refrain of "I'm a love drunk" only serves to reinforce the idea that the singer is powerless against the overwhelming emotions they are feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
In my room, alone at night
I am alone in my room at night.
How can I conceal my sorrow
I'm trying to hide my sadness.
Shattered dreams in micro-heated beams means love...
My broken dreams make me feel love.
I'm a love drunk
I am intoxicated by love.
Frozen days, the old extended plays
My days are dull and uneventful.
Of Elvis Presley and that funky old Hound Dog
I listen to old music.
Faded pics and misty twisted kicks spell "love"
Reminiscing on past memories makes me think of love.
I'm a love drunk
I am intoxicated by love.
Drunk on love, so drunk
I am very intoxicated by love.
I'm a love drunk
I am intoxicated by love.
Drunk on love, so drunk
I am very intoxicated by love.
I'm a love drunk
I am intoxicated by love.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Steadman
The world will never know what might have been, I'm thankful that I grew up in Marcs time and had his music in my life, my 25 year old son is now playing Marc Bolan songs on his guitar and is being influenced in his own material by Marc. Almost 42 years after we tragically lost him Mr Bolan is still influential, great talent sadly missed. I think Marc would have worked with Bowie and I'm certain that he would have got back to the top and would have made it in America by '79 or '80. I wish that the music industry would give him the respect deserved. God bless you Marc ands thanks for leaving an indelible "Marc" in the lives of us Bolanites.
Kim Staines
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
richie harmes
or it might have all gone wrong . as a massive fan lets all enjoy what we have ,he left a lot of music and a lot of love
Angela Fitzpatrick
Thank you
Sandra Viviana Sepulveda Roco
Muy de acuerdo!!!!
Deana Bolangirl
Amen from a life long Bolan girl.
Tina J. Singh
I really preferred Marc in the early times of T. Rex when it still was Tyrannosaurus Rex and acoustic with lots of mystic and magic, so genuine and sweet 😍 before that "they" made him become a dandy of glam rock!
Still love you Marc, since 47 years ♥️
Laurie Janes
Hi Tina. I was 14 when I discovered Marc in ‘69, so I got you beat by about five years. I’m 66 and still listening and still missing him. I, too, prefer his acoustic music, but I pretty much love almost everything he did. Keep a little Marc in your heart! 💕
Lana Alexander
Fantastic vocals! Marc was beyond adorable and so sexy. That smile of his melts my heart everytime and that little pout is crazy cute. I'm 58 and he can still make me blush. Thank goodness for YouTube for the memories. 💖💖💖💖
Roy Ferguson
This year I will be a fan for 50 years, met many new friends thru going to Bolan Bops from all over the World.