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.
Rapids
T. Rex Lyrics
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Your friends they said, "Your heads in a noose boy lay some boogie on our minds"
And we stood like the rapids and I was like a new born child.
Your father said, "clean out your head boy, go and kick cans along the street"
Your father said "clean out your toes rose and go and lick some uncooked meat`
And we stood like the rapids and I was like a new born child.
Your father said, "Your sisters a groove boy, what I said it just ain`t right"
But then I stood like the rapids and I was like a new born child.
Won`t you tell me why?
The lyrics of T. Rex's song Rapids talk about the conflicting opinions and expectations that the singer receives from his family and friends. The chorus starts with the line "And we stood like the rapids," a simile that refers to the rocky and unpredictable nature of the rapids in a river. The singer's situation is similarly turbulent, as he is receiving advice and criticism from his loved ones, who all seem to have their own ideas of what he should do and who he should be.
The first verse mentions the singer's mother, who tells him to "clean out your head boy, don`t lay nothing on my child." This could be interpreted as her being protective of her other children and not wanting the singer to burden them with his problems. Meanwhile, his friends urge him to "lay some boogie on our minds," which could suggest that they want him to distract them from their own issues by entertaining them with music or dancing. Despite these conflicting requests, the singer feels like a "newborn child" - perhaps overwhelmed and uncertain of what to do.
The second verse introduces the singer's father, who tells him to "go and kick cans along the street" and "lick some uncooked meat." These instructions are eccentric and nonsensical, which could be a nod to the idea that the father is not a reliable authority figure or is perhaps struggling with his own issues. Despite this, the singer remains steadfast like the rapids and still feels like a new born child.
The third verse further highlights the different perspectives of the parents. The mother admits that she is not completely free but still suggests that she is more relaxed at night. Meanwhile, the father refers to the singer's sister as "a groove boy" and contradicts himself by claiming that "what I said it just ain't right." This suggests that his advice may not be the most well-thought-out or consistent. Despite all of this, the singer persists and remains like the rapids, standing firm in his own identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Your mama said, "clean out your head boy, don`t lay nothing on my child"
Your mother told you to clear your thoughts and not burden her child with your own problems.
Your friends they said, "Your heads in a noose boy lay some boogie on our minds"
Your friends want you to lighten up and bring some fun to their minds.
And we stood like the rapids and I was like a new born child.
In the midst of all the conflicting advice, we remained unshaken like steady rapids, and I felt like I was starting anew.
Your father said, "clean out your head boy, go and kick cans along the street"
Your father instructed you to clear your head and take a leisure walk kicking cans on the street.
Your father said "clean out your toes rose and go and lick some uncooked meat`
Your father bizarrely advised you to clean your toes, a nickname for Rose, and eat some uncooked meat.
And we stood like the rapids and I was like a new born child.
We remained unmoved like steady rapids amidst your father's odd advice, and I felt like I was starting anew.
Your mama said, "my babe is not free son, but I`m loose about midnight`
Your mother implied that she is not completely available for you, but may be more relaxed and approachable at midnight.
Your father said, "Your sisters a groove boy, what I said it just ain`t right"
Your father recognized that what he said was not appropriate and complimented your sister instead.
But then I stood like the rapids and I was like a new born child.
Despite the conflicting advice from your parents, I remained firm like steady rapids, and I felt like I was starting anew.
Won`t you tell me why?
The artist requests an explanation, perhaps to make sense of the confusing advice they received.
Lyrics © SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind