THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

790-T. Rex-Hot Love.

1971-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.56. A lot of time is spent by people discussing the best ‘intro’s’ to songs, but very little is spoken about the best ‘outro.’ I would like to put this one forward as a strong contender.

Marc Bolan (see also best songs 386 and 67) was born Mark Feld on September 30th, 1947,in Stoke Newington. London, England, he died in a car crash on September 16th, 1977, at the age of 29. Bolan never learned to drive, and it is said the reason was because he had a fear of a premature death. Despite the fear, cars or automotive components are at least mentioned, or are the subject of many of his songs. He appeared twice on the British BBC television music show ‘Top Of The Pops’ in March 1971 to promote this song, where he was dressed for the first time in shiny satin stage-wear, and glittery makeup, (the latter at the suggestion of his stylist Chelita Secunda, 1945-2000)) music historians see this as a crucial trigger in what was to become known as ‘Glam Rock.’

‘Hot Love’ was released on February 12th, 1971, as a stand alone single, and later added to re-issues of ‘Electric Warrior,’ the second studio Album by T. Rex, from September 1971. ‘Hot Love’ was the second single release by Marc Bolan as the newly revamped ‘T. Rex,’ and was the follow up to ‘Ride a White Swan,’ (UK Number 2-1971) overall it was the ninth single issued by the group, as the previous incarnation as ‘Tyrannosaurus Rex’ had already released seven singles. ‘Hot Love’ which was the first of four UK Number 1 singles for T. Rex, but only reached Number 72 in America on the Billboard Hot 100, was written by Marc Bolan, and produced by Tony Visconti. Also performing on the track alongside Marc Bolan (lead vocals, and guitar) were band members Steve Currie, (1947-1981) (bass guitar) Mickey Finn, (1947-2003) (handclaps) and Bill Legend (drums.) As well as producing, Tony Visconti also did the string arrangement, and Howard Kaylan, and Mark Volman, provided the backing vocals.

Tony Visconti (see also best songs 386-302-209-118 and 67) was born Anthony Edward Visconti on April 24th, 1944, in New York City, New York, United States, his commercial breakthrough came in 1970 when producing ‘Ride a White Swan,’ for T. Rex. Tony Visconti who has released two studio Albums,’Visconti’s Inventory,’ in 1977, and ‘It’s a Selfie, in 2019, is one of the most influential, and successful music producers in ‘Pop Music’ history. His credits include producing 14 Albums with David Bowie, (1947-2016) 11 Albums with Tyrannosaurus Rex, and then T. Rex, and an Album with Morrissey, ‘Ringleader of the Tormentors,’ in 2006. Tony Visconti has also produced for dozens of other artists including two Albums for ‘Badfinger,’ in 1969, and 1970, two Albums with ‘Sparks,’ in 1975, and 1997, and two Albums with the ‘Boomtown Rats,’ in 1980, and 1982.

Bill Legend who was born William Arthur Fifield, on May 8th, 1944, in Barking, Essex, England, is the only surviving member of the classic T. Rex line up, having joined the group after the release of ‘Ride a White Swan.’ ‘Hot Love’ was the first T. Rex song that he played the drums on, and he would go on to play on the groups next four studio Albums between 1971-1974. It was Marc Bolan who gave him his stage name, as he had previously been drumming for a band called ‘Legend.’

The backing vocals on ‘Hot Love’ were provided by Howard Kaylan, and Mark Volman, who in 1965 had both been founding members of the American Rock band ‘The Turtles,’ After the demise of The Turtles in 1970, and due to contractual problems, the duo began working under the names of ‘Flo & Eddie,’ they then joined the American Rock group,’The Mothers of Invention,’ playing alongside Frank Zappa. The pair would go on to produce Albums for other artists, as well as providing backing vocals on over 100 Albums.

‘Well, she’s faster than most and she lives on the coast, uh-huh. Well, she’s faster than most and she lives on the coast, uh-huh. I’m her two-penny prince and I give her hot love, uh-huh.’