Essential Listening | T.Rex: The Spark That Lit Glam Rock

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Before glitter, platform boots, and electric swagger ruled the airwaves, there was Tyrannosaurus Rex, a mystical acoustic duo made up of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took. Their early sound was folky, whimsical, and drenched in fantasy imagery, think elves, wizards, and bongos. But everything changed in 1969 when Took left and Mickey Finn stepped in. Bolan traded his acoustic for an electric guitar, added some glam flair, and just like that, a new sound, and era, was born.

The newly shortened T.Rex hit the charts in October 1970 with Ride a White Swan, a shimmering, hypnotic track that basically invented glam rock overnight. With Steve Currie on bass and Bill Legend on drums, the band became unstoppable—racking up ten Top 10 singles (including four No.1s) and turning Bolan into a full-blown teen idol.

Their secret? A mix of sped-up Chuck Berry riffs, irresistible grooves, and Bolan’s cryptic yet effortlessly cool lyrics. But by 1973, the magic began to fade. The glam scene got crowded, Slade were louder, David Cassidy was prettier, and Bolan’s chart dominance started to slip. Still, his influence didn’t vanish. A few years later, the rising punk movement looked back and saw Bolan as one of their spiritual godfathers: raw, rebellious, and always ahead of his time.

So, if you’re new to T.Rex or just want to revisit their glittering legacy, here are 10 essential T.Rex songs you’ve got to hear.

The Groover with its stomping beat, crunchy guitar, and the band chanting their own name at the start, was Bolan’s final Top 10 UK hit.

It’s short, punchy, and pure glam attitude, the sound of T. Rex going out on top.

With its infectious groove and cheeky car metaphors, Jeepster is pure fun. Released in 1971, it’s got a driving rhythm and a raw, almost punk-like energy that still feels alive.

Producer Tony Visconti even told Bolan to jump while playing, which caused the mic stands to rattle, a sound they kept in the final mix. Sometimes, imperfection makes magic.

Children of the Revolution is teenage rebellion bottled into a three-minute anthem. Recorded with Elton John on piano and Ringo Starr on drums (yes, really), it began as a 20-minute jam for the film Born to Boogie.

The result? A thunderous, riff-heavy masterpiece about breaking free and doing your own thing.

Before glitter and electric guitars took over, there was Ride a White Swan. Released in 1970, this was the moment T. Rex made the leap from psychedelic folk to electric glam.

No drums here, just handclaps, tambourine, layered guitars, and a capo that gave it that sparkling sound. It’s simple, it’s stylish, and it’s the song that started glam rock.

This one’s something special. Cosmic Dancer is hauntingly beautiful, opening with delicate acoustic guitar and Bolan’s wistful vocals. The lyrics dive deep into life, death, and the meaning of it all — I danced myself right out the womb... I danced myself into the tomb.

It’s reflective, poetic, and utterly timeless — a softer, more emotional side of glam rock that still gives chills.

Metal Guru is Bolan at his most mystical. With its lush string arrangements, bold guitars, and energetic production, it’s a perfect blend of rock and pop.

Bolan once said the song was about a godhead, someone special who’s all alone without a telephone. It’s cryptic, spiritual, and totally Bolan. And fun fact — his obsession with Cadillacs might have played a role here, too.

Released in 1971, Hot Love gave T. Rex their first UK number one, staying there for six weeks. This track was a turning point, the moment Bolan traded his folk roots for full-blown glam rock stardom.

It’s got that simple beat, catchy guitar, and, for the first time, a full drum kit. Add in a bit of 1950s rock and bubblegum pop flair, and you’ve got a song that defined a new era.

Telegram Sam was T. Rex’s third UK number one, sitting at the top for two weeks, and for good reason. It’s catchy, playful, and pure glam gold.

The song was written about Bolan’s manager, Tony Secunda, his main man who kept both his career (and reportedly his other habits) running. With a punchy riff and a groove similar to Get It On, this one’s impossible not to move to.

If there’s one song that captures the spirit of glam rock, it’s 20th Century Boy. Released as a single in March 1973, it’s pure, unfiltered Bolan — loud, confident, and irresistibly cool.

The lyrics were inspired by quotes from celebrities like Muhammad Ali, which explains the famous line, sting like a bee. Built on a monster guitar riff and Bolan’s trademark swagger, this track still feels fresh and powerful decades later.

Featured on T. Rex’s 1971 album Electric Warrior, Get It On is pure glam rock gold. Marc Bolan admitted he wrote it because he wanted to capture the feel of Chuck Berry’s Little Queenie, even borrowing a bit of the riff.

The result? A sleek, swaggering anthem that oozes attitude and sex appeal. The track shot to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, where it ruled for four weeks, and even cracked the U.S. Top 10, making it T. Rex’s biggest international hit and a defining moment in the glam rock era

Legacy

Marc Bolan and T. Rex didn’t just make music, they created a world of sparkle, rhythm, and rebellion. Their songs still shimmer with that electric mix of innocence and attitude that defined the early ’70s.

Glam rock might have come and gone, but Bolan’s magic? That’s forever.