Marc Bolan And T. Rex (January 28, 1974) – Teenage Dream b/w Satisfaction Pony Single: UK
Released on January 28, 1974 on the T. Rex Wax Co. label through EMI Records, Teenage Dream marked a significant moment in Marc Bolan's career. The single became the first release credited to Marc Bolan And T. Rex, rather than simply T. Rex, reflecting Bolan's increasing desire to place himself at the centre of the band's identity.
Issued as catalogue number MARC 7, the single reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart. Although no longer achieving the chart heights of T. Rex's peak years, it remains one of Bolan's most ambitious and highly regarded compositions.
Unlike most UK singles of the period, Teenage Dream was released on a Monday rather than the industry's traditional Friday release day.
RECORDING
The single was recorded at AIR Studios, 214 Oxford Street, London.
Mastering was completed at Abbey Road Studios, London.
The song was written during a United States tour in August 1973 and became one of the final compositions completed for Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow.
The sessions also marked the final major collaboration between Marc Bolan and Tony Visconti. Within weeks of the single's release the long-running creative partnership would come to an end.
The recording featured Lonnie Jordan of War on piano.
STYLE & THEMES
"Teenage Dream" represented a dramatic departure from the concise glam-rock singles that had built T. Rex's success.
Running almost five minutes in length, the song unfolds as an elaborate and emotional performance featuring orchestration, layered vocals and shifting musical dynamics. Bolan considered it the finest lyric he ever wrote, while Gloria Jones later identified it as her favourite of all his compositions.
The song has often been viewed as a deeply personal statement, reflecting Bolan's changing outlook during a turbulent period of his career.
"Satisfaction Pony" provided a contrasting B-side rooted more firmly in the soul-influenced direction explored throughout the Zinc Alloy era.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Teenage Dream (4:57)
One of Marc Bolan's most ambitious recordings and a key track from Zinc Alloy And The Hidden Riders Of Tomorrow. The original single fades at approximately five minutes, although later reissues restored an additional forty-five seconds recorded during the original sessions.
• Satisfaction Pony (3:26)
Issued as the UK and Japanese B-side. The recording demonstrates the increasingly soul-influenced sound Bolan was exploring during 1973 and 1974.
RELEASE HISTORY
Released on January 28, 1974.
The single entered the UK chart on February 9, 1974 and reached a peak position of No. 13 one week later.
It spent five weeks on the UK chart before leaving in March 1974.
The release appeared in several different international configurations. While the United Kingdom and Japanese editions featured "Satisfaction Pony" as the B-side, German and French editions substituted "Mad Donna", while the Italian release used "Venus Loon".
CHARTS
Chart | Peak |
UK Singles Chart | No. 13 |
Australia | No. 28 |
Canada | No. 73 |
UK CHART RUN
Date | Position |
February 9, 1974 | 18 |
February 16, 1974 | 13 |
February 23, 1974 | 16 |
March 2, 1974 | 21 |
March 9, 1974 | 26 |
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, songwriter
Lonnie Jordan — piano
Tony Visconti — producer
PRODUCTION
Producer: Tony Visconti
Additional Production Credit (some variants): Marc Bolan
Studio: AIR Studios, London
Mastering: Abbey Road Studios, London
Label: T. Rex Wax Co.
Distributor: EMI Records Ltd.
Publishing: Wizard Artists (Bahamas) Ltd.
Catalogue Number: MARC 7
NOTES
• Released on a Monday rather than the usual Friday release date.
• The first release credited as Marc Bolan And T. Rex.
• Reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart.
• Entered the chart on February 9, 1974.
• Remained on the chart for five weeks.
• Recorded at AIR Studios and mastered at Abbey Road.
• Written during Marc Bolan's 1973 American tour.
• One of the final recordings completed with Tony Visconti.
• Bolan regarded "Teenage Dream" as the finest lyric he ever wrote.
• Gloria Jones later identified it as her favourite Bolan composition.
• The original single version fades at approximately five minutes.
• Later reissues restored an additional forty-five seconds recorded during the original sessions.
• The single represented a more mature and dramatic direction than earlier T. Rex hit singles.
• Several label and credit variations were produced during the original pressing run.
• Tony Visconti and Marc Bolan would part company shortly after the single's release.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Catalogue Number | A-Side | B-Side |
UK | MARC 7 | Teenage Dream | Satisfaction Pony |
Japan | Various | Teenage Dream | Satisfaction Pony |
Germany | Various | Teenage Dream | Mad Donna |
France | Various | Teenage Dream | Mad Donna |
Italy | Various | Teenage Dream | Venus Loon |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Tracklisting |
UK Single | Side 1 Teenage Dream (4:57) Side 2 Satisfaction Pony (3:26) |
French Single | Side 1 Teenage Dream (5:00) Side 2 Mad Donna (2:17) |
German Single | Side 1 Teenage Dream (5:00) Side 2 Mad Donna (2:17) |
Italian Single | Side 1 Teenage Dream Side 2 Venus Loon |
Japanese Single | Side 1 Teenage Dream Side 2 Satisfaction Pony |
UK LABEL VARIATIONS
Variant | Description |
Variant 1 | Marc Bolan And T. Rex credited on both sides |
Variant 2 | Marc Bolan credited without T. Rex |
Variant 3 | Marc Bolan And T. Rex with Marc Bolan production credit added |
RUN-OUT ETCHINGS
Tony Visconti Version
Side | Matrix |
Side 1 | YMARC 7A-1 / 3 |
Side 2 | YMARC 7B-1 / 2 |
Tony Visconti & Marc Bolan Version
Side | Matrix |
Side 1 | YMARC 7A-1 / 4 MU |
Side 2 | YMARC 7B-1 / 1 AA |
Mixed Credit Version
Side | Matrix |
Side 1 | YMARC 7A-1 / 1 CD |
Side 2 | YMARC 7B-1 / 1 RL |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & KNOWN VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
Single-Sided Acetate | Two known acetates exist carrying the song's original full title |
Dark/Pale Label Variant | Known copy with dark Side 1 label and pale Side 2 label |
Double A-Side Label Variant | Both labels show Side 1 artwork while each side plays correctly |
Double Satisfaction Pony Labels | Known copy with Satisfaction Pony labels on both sides |
Mixed Label Versions | Copies exist utilising both label designs |
Reversed Mixed Labels | Alternate combination of the two label styles |
Misaligned White Text Variant | Known printing variation affecting Side 1 |
Tony & Marc Producer Credit Variant | Includes both production credits and alternate company information |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 Worlds, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Demon Records, Rockfiles, Official Marc Bolan archives, All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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