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.
Summertime Blues
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About a workin' all summer just to try to earn a dollar
Oh Lord, I tried to call my baby, I tried to get a date
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
Well, my mom and pop told me, "Son you gotta make some money
Well, Lord I didn't go to work I told the boss I was sick he said
Sometimes I wonder, what I'm a gonna do
Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
I've got to take the weeks I got to have a fun vacation
I've got to take my problem to the United Nations
I done told my congressman and he said, "Whoa, take this boy"
Sometimes I wonder, what I'm a gonna do
Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
I've got to take the weeks, I got to have a fun vacation
I've got to take my problem, to the United Nations
I done told my congressman and he said, "Whoa, take this boy"
Sometimes I wonder, what I'm a gonna do
Lord, there ain't no cure, for the summertime blues
Whoa, there ain't no cure
The lyrics of T. Rex’s 1970 cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” talk about the frustration and helplessness felt by a young man during a hot and money-tight summer. The song begins with the singer voicing his discontent about working hard during the summertime just to make a living, unable to enjoy the season like he wants to. He also talks about trying to get a date with his girl, but failing to do so. The chorus repeats the lines “Sometimes I wonder what I’m gonna do / Lord, there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues,” reiterating his sense of hopelessness.
In the second verse, the singer’s parents tell him that if he wants to use the car next Sunday, he has to earn some money. In order to avoid going to work, the singer lies to his boss that he is sick. The chorus repeats once more. In the final verse, the singer declares that he needs to take a vacation and complains to the United Nations and his congressman, but to no avail. The chorus repeats one last time, confirming that no matter what he does there is no cure for the summertime blues.
Overall, “Summertime Blues” is an anthem of the youthful desire for independence and the stifling pressure of conformity. It reflects the contradictions of a society that encourages individualism but punishes those who do not conform to the expectations of their parents and employers.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Lord, I got to raise a fuss, Lord I got to raise a holler
I am extremely frustrated and need to express my discontent with my current situation.
About a workin' all summer just to try to earn a dollar
I have been working tirelessly all summer long trying to earn enough money for my needs.
Oh Lord, I tried to call my baby, I tried to get a date
I attempted to call my lover and arrange a date, but it didn't work out.
Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do
I am confused and unsure of my next steps in life.
Lord, there ain't no cure for the summertime blues
No matter what I do, I can't escape the feelings of sadness and frustration that come with summertime struggles.
Well, my mom and pop told me, "Son you gotta make some money
My parents have advised me to work hard and make some money.
Well, if you want to use the car to go ridin' next Sunday"
Earning money is important if I want to have the privilege to use the family car for recreational activities.
Well, Lord I didn't go to work I told the boss I was sick he said
I lied to my boss and pretended to be sick to avoid going to work.
I've got to take the weeks I got to have a fun vacation
I deserve a break from my work and want to have some fun during my time off.
I've got to take my problem to the United Nations
My issue is so serious that I need to seek help from the highest international authority.
I done told my congressman and he said, "Whoa, take this boy"
Even my elected representative has acknowledged the severity of my situation and wants to help me.
Whoa, there ain't no cure
Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to my woes.
for the summertime blues
These intense feelings of sadness and frustration are specific to the summertime season.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Eddie Cochran, Jerry Neal Capehart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Kreatura84
ONE OF THE MOST CHARISMATIC MUSIC ARTISTS EVER.
R.I.P. MARC BOLAN🔥
@rokhard1000
Marc bolan is in my list of immortals, there is no comparison, so ahead of his time 🤘
@luizagripino502
Muiiito bommmm!!!
@michaelsix9684
well done, this was fifty years ago, wow still rocks
@vaneipontes3279
Simply Fantástic 🎵🎼🎶🎸😎👊
Marc Bolan (R.I.P)
@tina.singh27
Waw, what a show 😍
Great and charismatic Marc ♥️
@michaelplatter3281
The Studio Version is awesome, but this live Version is incredibly
@golferrobd
A little over 50 years ago in Alexandria VA this was their encore song. Summerime Blues was never done better.
@golferrobd
Saw them in Wash DC in February 1972; same setlist as this March concert in London. Summertime Blues closed the show. Amazing show!!!
@r1273m
Of course the old geezers among us like myself remember this from the late 1950's with Eddie Cochran.