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.
Wind Cheetah
T. Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Herds of African cows
Grazed on her beauty
Fragrant and pale
Young once youthful still now
Muse to the willow and ploughed
Fields arched with orchards
Day whipped his black dray
Opaque orphan of Ring Myrrh coated rider
Guider husband to Matron the King
Streams of yellowy mud
Run to the one that I love
Chained to the chalky
Chalice of night.
The lyrics of T. Rex's song Wind Cheetah are open to interpretation, but some possible meanings could be related to nature, beauty, and love. The first stanza describes a beautiful and fragrant woman who seems to be in harmony with her surroundings, as her beauty is compared to the herds of African cows grazing. The second stanza suggests that the woman is still young at heart, and she serves as a muse to the willow and ploughed fields adorned with orchards and star blooms.
The third stanza is more cryptic, but it seems to introduce a male figure riding in a black dray, possibly symbolizing the passage of time. The rider is coated with Ring Myrrh, a resinous substance with a bittersweet aroma, and he may represent death or decay. He is accompanied by Matron the King, who could be a reference to a goddess or a powerful woman. The last two lines of the third stanza allude to the muddy streams of life, which can be difficult to navigate.
The last stanza appears to express a desire to be with the person the singer loves, even if they are chained to the chalky chalice of night, possibly representing death or darkness. The overall mood of the song is dreamy and evocative, with poetic metaphorical language that invites the listener to find their own meaning in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Her with moon trodden plow
Describing the person who is hardworking and has a connection with the moon
Herds of African cows
Her beauty is admired and compared to a group of cows grazing in Africa
Grazed on her beauty
People are attracted to her beauty and are drawn towards her
Fragrant and pale
Describing her beauty as having a pure and delicate quality to it
Young once youthful still now
Even though she is no longer young, she still possesses a youthful spirit
Muse to the willow and ploughed
She is a source of inspiration and creativity for people who work hard in nature
Fields arched with orchards
Describing the landscape around her, where fields are curved and filled with fruit trees
Blooms of the stars
The fruit trees around her are blooming and shining like stars
Day whipped his black dray
Describing the harshness and frustration of a day's work
Opaque orphan of Ring Myrrh coated rider
Describing the mysterious and unknown identity of the person who is riding a horse with a coat of Ring Myrrh
Guider husband to Matron the King
Possibly referring to a royal family and the roles of a husband and wife in that hierarchy
Streams of yellowy mud
Describing the dirty and unpleasant surroundings around her
Run to the one that I love
Expressing the desire to be with someone she loves
Chained to the chalky
Feeling restricted and trapped by the whiteness and emptiness of her surroundings
Chalice of night
Describing the darkness and mystery of the night, which she may be drawn to
Contributed by James M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Laurie Janes
Could Marc look any more otherworldly in that black cloak sitting on that tree? Always the best. What beautiful poetry.
conesuela1
the perfect song for a snowy day i agree!
LouLà_à TiOUPS
Special and appréciable :))
1stMistyMist1
Today it snowed again so I thought this would be right ! :)
1stMistyMist1
Been away for a time and being back the snow is still here in heaps thought my front lawn is beautifully spring green.
edward johnson
so much to say........ but im tired and just enjoyed the music anyway thanks
1stMistyMist1
Over here the snow is still stubburn .
jiggersotoole
I luv this u tube time machine
trexmarcbolan
cool post K
1stMistyMist1
X:-)