By 1968, Tyrannosaurus Rex had become a modest success on radio and on record, and had released three albums. While Bolan's early material was rock and roll-influenced folk, by now he was writing dramatic and baroque songs with lush melodies and surreal lyrics filled with Greek and Persian mythology as well as creations of his own. The band became regulars on Peel Sessions on BBC radio, and toured Britain's student union halls. They received bad press from journalists and critics, however, who were annoyed at the exposure they were getting on Peel's radio shows.
By 1969 there was also a shift in sound with Bolan using the electric guitar and Took a full drumkit there was a also a rift between the two halves of Tyrannosaurus Rex. While Bolan and his girlfriend June Child were living a quiet life, Took had fully embraced the anti-commercial/community-spirited/drug-taking ethos of the UK Underground scene centred around Ladbroke Grove. Took was also attracted to anarchistic elements such as Mick Farren/Deviants and members of the Pink Fairies Rock 'n' Roll and Drinking Club. He started writing his own songs and wanted the duo to perform them. After Bolan's refusal and a last tour in the US (which Took was enjoying chemical stumulants), the two departed. Bolan recruted Mickey Finn and released the last album under this name,A Beard of Stars in 1970, before moving in a more rock direction under the shortened name T. Rex in 1970.
Do You Remember?
Tyrannosaurus Rex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her limbs were fierce in symmetry
It throws me into song
The throng have done us wrong
And away she goes, her toes leave gold
Her horn of youth has passed behold
It throws me into song
The throng have done us wrong
Do-oo you remember?
Do-oo you remember?
Pleasures of love
Tresures of love
The voice of light denounce the night
Sweet pilgrims climb the chily heights
It throws me into song
The throng have done us wrong
Do-oo you remember?
Do-oo you remember?
Pleasures of love
Treasures of love
Do-oo you remember?
Do-oo you remember?
Pleasures of love
Treasures of love
[chant till fade...]
The song "Do You Remember?" by Tyrannosaurus Rex is a poetic and dream-like evocation of love and loss. The singer describes the beauty and symmetry of his lover, whose face and limbs are like a cult to him, throwing him into song. However, the rapture is short-lived, as he laments that the throng - possibly a reference to societal conventions or expectations - have done them wrong. The lover walks away, leaving behind a golden trail, as the singer mourns the passing of her youth.
In the second verse, the singer invokes the voice of light, denouncing the night, perhaps symbolizing hope and optimism in the face of darkness and despair. Pilgrims climb the chilly heights, hinting at a difficult and arduous journey towards love and redemption. Again, the singer is thrown into song, but the throng have done them wrong, echoing the earlier sentiment of societal pressures and limitations.
Overall, "Do You Remember?" is a haunting and wistful meditation on love, beauty, and impermanence. The singer's evocative language and imagery create a dream-like atmosphere, where the pleasures and treasures of love are fleeting, but nonetheless leave an indelible impression.
Line by Line Meaning
Her Face was like a cult to me
Her appearance was so captivating to me that it seemed like a religious worship
Her limbs were fierce in symmetry
She had a perfectly proportioned and strong body that was impressive to me
It throws me into song
Just thinking about her fills me with emotion and inspiration for music
The throng have done us wrong
Others in society have caused harm or misfortune to our relationship
And away she goes, her toes leave gold
She is leaving and everything she touches turns to something valuable, as if she is leaving behind treasure
Her horn of youth has passed behold
Her youthful energy and vigor has faded away which is now evident
Do-oo you remember?
Asking if the listener remembers or reminisces about the same things as the singer
Pleasures of love
The satisfaction and joyful experiences that love brings
Treasures of love
The valuable and precious memories and moments that come from love
The voice of light denounce the night
Positive and enlightening messages overpower and overcome the darkness and negativity in the world
Sweet pilgrims climb the chilly heights
People who have a pure and humble heart courageously strive to reach difficult goals or heights
[chant till fade...]
Repeating a chorus or chant until the end of the song
Contributed by Madelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@urvasidevidasi3584
Love everything Marc did
@stavies7525
Fabtastic!!! Always great to hear the Tyrannosaurus roar!
@michaelcameron2292
Otherworldly
@marcstevens3761
I really wonder what T.Rex would have become if Steve had stayed & Marc had let Him play his own songs. I liked the first three albums over the later Glam Ones. Sounded like They put a lot more work into them.
@TheJetfighter666
Thought I knew it all. This is f'n great!
@susankirkland3852
Yes, good to hear the early music
@QwerkPerk
The T. Rex rabbit hole never ends
@randiricci5620
King of the Rumbling Spires!!
@walrtbstudios5430
It took Bolan around five years and at least four other band members to replace him- in addition to being a pretty good percussion player, Steve played bass, drums and was a harmoniser second to none. But Bolan wanted him out, and out he went, fired BEFORE a tour of the US that he was contractually obliged to play anyway. So we’ve got, what, six or seven tracks of the properly electrified Tyrannosaurus Rex before Bolan had all the work for ‘Beard of Stars’ purged of Steve’s contributions. Lucky still to have those I suppose…
@marcstevens8576
Still would like to know who did the backing vocals to some of the tracks on Beard. Mainly "Lofty Skies". It surely wasn't either Marc or Mickey. Don't think it was Tony.