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.
Prelude
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ran it up by myself didnt need yo help aint use you
Un you cant pair aint no bluetooth
Im running through them racks im playing blue clues
Maine he got my back yeah he gone shoot too
I dont want that pussy girl that shit is too threw
You see us getting rich
Its to late im sorry no you cant be a part of this
If he keep asking for some smoke then we gone send the blitz
I'm out the way im in the studio making hits
Brand new glock called Paul walkerIts flipping whips
I had to take that risk Just to make a couple chips
Stomp the yard all on the brick pull come and get yo fix
Yeah we got what you need And I swear it hit
Yeah we got what you need Just tell me what it is
I'm not in the front im shooting craps
All these niggas steady capping
And this wood punching so hard but Im forever lasting
Diss on my name one time then Im forever blasting
Diss on my name one time then when can make it happen
And nigga I aint laughing
Ima pull up where you at and ima start to capping
But nigga aint no capping
Cause I aint never acting
I pull up on yo block and shit is getting tragic
Yall disappear like magic
I can introduce you to some shit you aint use to
Ran it up by myself didnt need yo help aint use you
Un you cant pair aint no bluetooth
Im running through them racks im playing blue clues
Maine he got my back yeah he gone shoot too
I dont want that pussy girl that shit is too threw
You see us getting rich
Its to late im sorry no you cant be a part of this
The lyrics to T. Rex's song "Prelude" convey a sense of confidence and self-sufficiency. The singer is asserting their independence and success, highlighting that they have achieved their accomplishments without relying on anyone else's assistance or approval. They pride themselves on being able to introduce others to experiences they are unfamiliar with, suggesting a certain level of superiority or exclusivity. The references to money, gunplay, and violence create an edgy and rough image, further reinforcing the singer's self-assured demeanor.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of loyalty and alliances. The mention of someone called "Maine" having the singer's back suggests a trusted companion or associate who is willing to support them, perhaps even through violent means. This reinforces the theme of self-protection and the singer's readiness to retaliate if threatened or disrespected.
Furthermore, the lyrics imply a separation between the singer's life of success and those who are left behind. The singer makes it clear that it is too late for others to be a part of their newfound wealth and prosperity. They dismiss the idea of involving others and assert that they are now in a different league, leaving those who didn't support them in the past behind.
Overall, "Prelude" by T. Rex presents a picture of confidence, self-reliance, and the singer's rise to success. It touches on themes of exclusivity, loyalty, and the consequences of disrespect.
Line by Line Meaning
I can introduce you to some shit you aint use to
I can show you unfamiliar things that you're not accustomed to
Ran it up by myself didnt need yo help aint use you
I achieved success on my own without relying on your assistance, I didn't find you useful
Un you cant pair aint no bluetooth
Unfortunately, you cannot connect or relate, there's no compatibility
Im running through them racks im playing blue clues
I'm swiftly going through a large amount of money, like I'm solving a mystery
Maine he got my back yeah he gone shoot too
My friend from Maine supports me and is willing to take action as well
I dont want that pussy girl that shit is too threw
I'm not interested in promiscuous women, their behavior is too reckless
You see us getting rich
You can witness us accumulating wealth
Its to late im sorry no you cant be a part of this
Regrettably, it's too late, you cannot join or be involved in this
Unc was in the kitchen with the white no he not cooking grits
My uncle was handling cocaine in the kitchen, not preparing a Southern dish
If he keep asking for some smoke then we gone send the blitz
If he continues to provoke us, we'll aggressively attack and overwhelm him
I'm out the way im in the studio making hits
I'm away from distractions and focused in the recording studio, creating successful songs
Brand new glock called Paul walkerIts flipping whips
I have a recently acquired firearm named Paul Walker and it's causing chaos
I had to take that risk Just to make a couple chips
I had to take a chance in order to make a substantial amount of money
Stomp the yard all on the brick pull come and get yo fix
Engaging in aggressive actions on the drug-selling territory, come and obtain your dose
Yeah we got what you need And I swear it hit
Yes, we possess the desired substances and I promise they have a strong effect
Yeah we got what you need Just tell me what it is
Yes, we have the items you desire, simply inform me of your preference
I'm not in the front im shooting craps
I'm not trying to be the center of attention, I'm taking risks
All these niggas steady capping
Many individuals are constantly lying and bragging
And this wood punching so hard but Im forever lasting
And this firearm is hitting so strongly, but I will always endure
Diss on my name one time then Im forever blasting
If someone disrespects or insults me once, I will retaliate aggressively indefinitely
Diss on my name one time then when can make it happen
If someone disrespects or insults me once, we can arrange a confrontation
And nigga I aint laughing
And man, I'm not finding it amusing
Ima pull up where you at and ima start to capping
I will come to your location and begin to shoot
But nigga aint no capping
But man, there won't be any deception
Cause I aint never acting
Because I am always being genuine, never pretending
I pull up on yo block and shit is getting tragic
I arrive at your neighborhood and the situation becomes disastrous
Yall disappear like magic
You all vanish mysteriously, like it's magic
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Mance Hardiman Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josephtravers777
This was magic when I was young.
@noige6306
It's still magic now that I'm old.
@harleybrown5390
Beautiful 😎🤘
@stuartjones7229
One of my favourite albums
@billy123174
The first album I brought
@mscrabson
АЭРОСТАТ
@user-vj5bn2ji8i
Да. Борис очень уважает и любит Марка.
@seanaugustinemarch1
Genius album
@darthvader3465
started with the electric stuff here..
@egojosepio
Sonido característico de Marc Bolan, su guitarra electrica.