Ride a White Swan
Marc Bolan
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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.
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Release and Chart PerformanceReleased 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.
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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".
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Meaning of SongThe 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.
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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.
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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".
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LegacyThe 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.
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The Associated FashionThe 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.
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Music VideoNever 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".
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Cover VersionsNumerous 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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"Ride a White Swan Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 7 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6814101/Marc+Bolan/Ride+a+White+Swan>.
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