THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

67-T. Rex-20th Century Boy.

1973-Number 3 single. When it was re-issued in 1991 it made Number 13.

Best Bit-At 1.37. If you think that this song is so last century, then let me tell you something, it’s still ahead of it’s time, even now!!

Marc Bolan (see also best songs 790 and 386) was born Mark Feld on September 30th, 1947, in Hackney, London, England, he died on September 16th, 1977, when a car he was a passenger in struck a fence post, and then a tree. Bolan was killed instantly, while the cars driver Gloria Jones (see also best songs 848) suffered a broken arm and broken jaw, Bolan was 29 years old.

Marc Bolan recorded one of his first songs in 1964, which was called ‘All at Once,’ the track remained unreleased until 2008 when a very limited edition seven-inch vinyl of the original tape recording was issued. Soon after he began using the stage name ‘Toby Tyler,’ but no recordings have been issued under that name. On signing with Decca Records in 1965 he changed his stage name to Marc Bolan, as a tribute to Bob Dylan, (see also best songs 792-358-103-36 and 7) choosing the first two letters of ‘Bob,’ and the last three letters of ‘Dylan.’ Using his new name he released his first single ‘The Wizard’ on November 19th, 1965, with Jimmy Page, (see also best songs 361-135 and 66) and Big Jim Sullivan (1941-2012) among the musicians providing the backing track. In 1967, and now under the management of Simon Napier-Bell, Bolan became a member of the ‘Mod/Rock’ band ‘Johns Children,’ where he became their main songwriter. His tenure with ‘Johns Children’ was brief, and he would quickly create his own band ‘Tyrannosaurus Rex,’ playing an experimental mixture of ‘Psychedelic Folk’ music on the first three Album releases, and then a fourth and final Album of more mellow ‘Psychedelic Rock.’ By 1970 Bolan began to change the band’s style towards ‘Electric Rock’, and shortened their name to T. Rex.

The discography of Tyrannosaurus Rex includes four studio Albums released between 1968-1970, and then eight studio Albums issued between 1970-1977 as T. Rex. As Tyrannosaurus Rex there were six singles released, of which three made the UK top 40, and it was the 1972 re-issue of ‘Debora.’ and ‘One Inch Rock’ as a double ‘A’ side which charted the highest when making Number 7 in 1972. As T. Rex they released 22 singles, of which 17 made the UK top 40, with four of those reaching Number 1. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart their only top 40 hit was ‘Bang a Gong (Get It On,’) which reached Number 10 in 1971.

’20th Century Boy’ was issued as a stand alone single on March 2nd, 1973, two weeks before the release of the bands eighth studio Album ‘Tanx,’ it was written by Marc Bolan, and produced by the legendary Toni Visconti (see also best songs 790-386-302-209 and 118.) ’20th Century Boy’ was recorded on December 3rd, 1972, in the Toshiba Recording studios in Tokyo, Japan, the backing vocals, hand claps, acoustic guitar, and saxophones were recorded in England when the band returned after their tour. According to Marc Bolan, some of the lyrics are based on quotes taken from notable celebrities, such as Muhammad Ali, (1942-2016) who is famously remembered for saying ‘Sting like a bee.’ People have argued for a long time as to what Bolan is actually singing in the songs first line. The correct lyrics are,’Friends say it’s fine, friends say it’s good, everybody says it’s just like Robin Hood,’ while some people incorrectly hear, ‘Friends say it’s fine, friends say it’s good, everybody says it’s just like Rock ‘N’ Roll.’

‘I move like a cat, charge like a ram, sting like a bee, babe, I wanna be your man, hey! Well, it’s plain to see you were meant for me, yeah, I’m your boy, your 20th century toy yeah!’