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.
The Third Degree
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she read my head and I can see
Philosophising mad psychiatrist
closing of my mind in darkness
Beware of the third degree
Everywhere I go people follow me
They look, they smile, they cannot see
I am too much for them to take in
Beware of the third degree
Everywhere I go people always say
It's sad to see him act this way
Philosophising mad psychiatrist
just closing of my mind in darkness
Beware of the third degree, yeah
Sanity baby is all I got
I'm as sane as you believe it or not
Philosophising mad psychiatrist
just closing my mind in darkness
Everywhere I go people laugh at me.
The lyrics of T. Rex's song The Third Degree reflect the paranoia and frustration of a person who feels like they are constantly being questioned, followed and misunderstood. The repeated warning to "beware of the third degree" suggests that the singer is wary of being interrogated or subjected to intense scrutiny by those around them. The mention of a "philosophising mad psychiatrist" further implies that the singer may be struggling with mental health issues but is unable to find solace or understanding from those who are supposed to help.
The repetition of the phrase "closing of my mind in darkness" highlights the sense of isolation and despair that the singer feels, and suggests that they are unable to escape from their own thoughts and struggles. The final lines of the song, "everywhere I go people laugh at me", suggest that the singer's struggles are not taken seriously by those around them, which only adds to their already overwhelming sense of alienation.
Overall, The Third Degree is a poignant and relatable song that touches on themes of mental health, isolation and societal pressure. The lyrics are both introspective and insightful, and draw the listener into the singer's world in a way that is both engaging and emotive.
Line by Line Meaning
Everywhere I go people question me
People constantly question me and what I do
she read my head and I can see
Someone is able to read my thoughts and intentions
Philosophising mad psychiatrist
A psychiatrist who is overly concerned with philosophical discussions
closing of my mind in darkness
My mind is being closed off to new ideas and perspectives
Beware of the third degree
Be careful of people who interrogate and question you aggressively
Everywhere I go people follow me
People everywhere are watching my every move
They look, they smile, they cannot see
People see the surface but can't understand what's going on inside
I am too much for them to take in
People can't handle all of who I am
they only say that I am faking
People think that I am not genuine
Everywhere I go people always say
People always have something negative to say about me
It's sad to see him act this way
People pity and judge me for my behavior
Sanity baby is all I got
All I have is my sanity, which is being questioned
I'm as sane as you believe it or not
Whether or not I am sane depends on your perception and belief
Everywhere I go people laugh at me.
People mock and ridicule me wherever I go
Contributed by Christopher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Heli-Crew HGS
What a find! I had no idea that this record existed.
WedgePee
Because Decca didn’t promote it well and consequently it sold very few copies. Luckily we have YouTube and 45cat to find all these rare obscure gems.
M N
OMFG.....I was watching Krays movie and this was playing....I thought, ey up....EY.....UP....I know those chords.....then Marc started singing.....I aint heard this song for YEARS AND YEARS - X
Aurora
THE MESSAGE IS VERY CLEAR!!!🤗🙂
Marcio Ivam de Brito Teixeira
Raridade. Obrigado.
Terry Hayes
Just early T.Rex , sans Beep and Tony, but the magic lies with Marc xx
Kcuhc
This is pre the Famous Mac Bolan/Bessie Smith vocal wobble.
Steve Murray
Likey!
Sounds a tad like Sir Douglas..
Bozidar Andjelkovic
"Rise and fall of Cray brothers" brought me here
Cap'n Jack
Are you sure it's that Kray film? There are so many films based on the Krays. I couldn't find this song in the soundtrack. Would like to know which film this song is featured in.