Ride a White Swan

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T. Rex

About Ride a White Swan

"Ride a White Swan" is a song by English band T. Rex. It was released as a stand-alone single on 9 October 1970 by record label Fly, and was the first single credited under the band's new, shorter name. Like all of the band's songs, it was written by the group's singer, guitarist and founder Marc Bolan. The song also appears on the US version of their self-titled debut album (1970). The song was the band's first hit, and, according to Ned Raggett of AllMusic, the song "inadvertently founded glam rock mania" although Bolan did not wear characteristic glam stage clothing until the promotion of follow up single "Hot Love".  


Year:
1995
103 

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T. Rex

T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four underground folk albums under the name. Tony Visconti (their producer for several albums) claimed in a documentary on the band that he had taken to using the abbreviated term "T. Rex" as a shorthand, something that initially irritated Bolan, who gradually came around to the idea and officially shortened the band's name to "T. Rex" at roughly the same time they started having big hits (shortly after going electric). more »

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10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Ride a White Swan" was written by Marc Bolan, who composed all of T. Rex's original songs. It was seen as a turning point in his musical style, moving away from the psychedelic folk of his earlier work and introducing a more pop-rock oriented sound.
Release and Chart Performance
Released in 1970, "Ride a White Swan" was T. Rex's first commercial success. It reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, marking the band's rise to popularity in the UK.
Album Placement
"Ride a White Swan" was not initially included on any of T. Rex's studio albums. However, it later appeared on the compilation album "The Slider".
Meaning of Song
The lyrics of "Ride a White Swan" are rather whimsical and fantastical, full of images like flirting fairies and dragons. In line with Bolan’s love for incorporating mythical and bewitching elements into his songs, some believe the song is akin to a fairy-tale, a romantic ride on a magical white swan.
Marc Bolan's Style Shift
"Ride a White Swan" marked a stylistic shift towards glam rock for Marc Bolan and T. Rex. The song features more electric guitar and percussive elements compared to their earlier acoustic material.
Impact
"Ride a White Swan" left a significant impact on the British music scene. It's often credited with kickstarting the '70s glam rock movement in the UK. Its success led Bolan to further refine the style with subsequent works, notably "Get It On (Bang a Gong)" and "Metal Guru".
Legacy
The song is considered a defining track in T. Rex's discography and one of Marc Bolan's signature songs. Despite being over five decades old, "Ride a White Swan" continues to be appreciated by fans of glam rock and classic rock.
The Associated Fashion
The song has also made significant contributions to fashion. It promoted a glam rock look that consisted of glitter and boas, feathered top hats, velvet trousers, and platform shoes that deeply marked the early 70s.
Music Video
Never officially releasing a music video, Bolan's rock performance with his Les Paul while wearing a satin outfit in the British television program "Top of the Pops" back in 1971, is considered the de facto music video for "Ride a White Swan".
Cover Versions
Numerous artists have covered "Ride a White Swan" over the years, including Belle and Sebastian, Coil, Def Leppard, and even Tony Visconti, T. Rex's longtime record producer.

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