C.K. Burch's Blog, page 2
July 2, 2017
behindthegrooves:On this day in music history: July 2, 1971 -...
On this day in music history: July 2, 1971 - “Get It On” by T.Rex is released. Written by Marc Bolan, it is the ninth UK and fourth US single release for the glam rock band from London, UK fronted by musician Marc Bolan. One of the pivotal figures and icons of the glam rock movement of the 70’s, like his friend and some time rival David Bowie, Marc Bolan finds himself going through numerous musical transformations before achieving stardom. Born Mark Feld in Stoke Newington in the North East London borough of Hackney in 1947, Marc becomes infatuated by the first wave of rock & roll while still a school boy. By the 60’s, he is making moves toward making his dreams of becoming a rock star come true. However, there are numerous set backs and stumbling blocks along the way, making folk rock recordings inspired by his musical hero Bob Dylan, none of which make the charts. Changing his name to Marc Bolan, he forms the band Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1967, at first creating a hybrid of psychedelic folk rock, before evolving into their trademark glam rock sound. In 1970, after shortening their name to T.Rex, Bolan finally makes his major breakthrough with the single “Ride A White Swan” which hits #1 on the UK singles chart in January of 1971. While writing songs for T.Rex’s second album, Bolan takes inspiration from another one of his early rock & roll heroes, Chuck Berry. The initial idea for what becomes “Get It On”, comes when Bolan initially intends to record of cover of Berry’s song “Little Queenie”. Eventually, he changes his mind and writes a new song with that same feel, finishing off “Get It On” quickly. Paying further tribute to Berry, Bolan quotes the lyric “meanwhile, I’m still thinking” (from “Little Queenie”) at the end of “Get It On”. The track is recorded at Wally Heider Studios in Hollywood, CA and Trident Studios in London with producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie), and features T.Rex members Steve Currie (bass) and Bill Legend (drums) and Mickey Finn (congas). Also on the song are Blue Weaver (Bee Gees) (piano), King Crimson saxophonist Ian McDonald and former Turtles members Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman (aka “Flo & Eddie”) on backing vocals. The single is an immediate smash in the UK and rockets to the top on July 24, 1971, spending four weeks at the top. In the US, the record does not have such a fast trajectory. Re-titled “Bang A Gong (Get It On)”, it languishes for five long months before finally charting. Entering the Hot 100 at #87 on January 1, 1972, it peaks at #10 on March 4, 1972. Along with its accompanying album “Electric Warrior”, “Get It On” turns Marc Bolan into a glam rock icon, and becomes one of the definitive songs of the movement. The song has a long life after its run on the charts. In 1985, The Power Station cover “Get It On”, with their version peaking at #9 on the Hot 100 in August of 1985, one position higher than T.Rex’s original.
the signs as oasis lyrics
aries: supersonic // I’m feeling supersonic, give me gin and tonic, you can have it all but how much do you want it?
taurus: stand by me // said I would and I’ll be leaving one day, before my heart starts to burn
gemini: some might say // you’ve made no preparation for my reputation once again
cancer: don’t go away // damn my education, I can’t find the words to say with all the things caught in my mind
leo: let there be love // come on baby blue, shake up your tired eyes, the world is waiting for you, may all your dreaming fill the empty sky
virgo: live forever // lately did you ever feel the pain in the morning rain as it soaks you to the bone?
libra: little by little // true perfection has to be imperfect, I know that that sounds foolish but it’s true
scorpio: cast no shadow // bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say, chained to all the places that he never wished to stay
sagittarius: whatever // you’re free to be wherever you, wherever you please you can shoot the breeze if you want
capricorn: slide away // slide away, and give it all you’ve got. my today fell in from the top. I dream of you and all the things you say. I wonder where you are you now?
aquarius: stop crying your heart out // we’re all of us stars, we’re fading away, just try not to worry, you’ll see us someday
pisces: half the world away // I’m still scratching around in the same old hole, my body feels young but my mind is very old
allweknowisfallen:For all I knowThe best is over and the worst...
For all I know
The best is over and the worst is yet to come.
Is it enough
To keep on hoping when the rest have given up?
