Marc Bolan (June 3, 1966) – The Third Degree Single UK: 7"

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Released on June 3, 1966, The Third Degree was Marc Bolan's second solo single for Decca Records, following the earlier release of The Wizard. Issued during Bolan's pre-Tyrannosaurus Rex period, the single captures a young songwriter refining the distinctive lyrical and musical approach that would later define his career.

Written by Bolan, both sides of the record showcase his growing confidence as a composer and performer during the mid-1960s. The release remains an important document of his artistic development before the formation of Tyrannosaurus Rex and his subsequent success with T. Rex.

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The single was produced by Jim Economides under the Economides Recording banner.

Recording took place at De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London.

The sessions featured bassist John Paul Jones, years before achieving international fame as a member of Led Zeppelin.

Compared with some of Bolan's earlier recordings, the production displays a more energetic and direct approach, hinting at the creative progression that would become increasingly evident over the next few years.

STYLE & THEMES

"The Third Degree" combines rhythmic energy with Bolan's emerging songwriting personality and distinctive vocal delivery.

The accompanying B-side, "San Francisco Poet", reflects the beat poetry and countercultural influences that fascinated many young artists during the mid-1960s.

Together, the two songs demonstrate Bolan's ability to blend folk, beat and early rock influences while developing a musical identity that was already recognisably his own.

TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES

SIDE ONE

• The Third Degree – A lively and confident recording that demonstrates Bolan's growing maturity as a songwriter and performer.

SIDE TWO

• San Francisco Poet – A more reflective composition inspired by the literary and cultural influences popular within the emerging counterculture.

RELEASE HISTORY

The single was released by Decca Records on June 3, 1966.

Issued under catalogue number F.12413, it followed The Wizard and became Bolan's second commercially released solo Decca single.

Although neither side charted upon release, the record has become a highly regarded piece of Bolan's early catalogue and an important milestone in his artistic development.

PERSONNEL

Marc Bolan — vocals, songwriter

John Paul Jones — bass

Jim Economides — producer

PRODUCTION

Producer: Jim Economides

Recording Company: Economides Recording

Studio: De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London

Label: Decca Records

Country: UK

Format: 7" Single, 45 RPM

Catalogue Number: F.12413

NOTES

• Released on June 3, 1966.

• Second solo Decca single by Marc Bolan.

• Followed the release of The Wizard.

• Both tracks were written by Marc Bolan.

• Recorded at De Lane Lea Studios, Kingsway, London.

• Produced by Jim Economides.

• John Paul Jones performed bass on the recording.

• Commercial copies were issued with black Decca labels.

• Promotional demonstration copies featured distinctive blue labels marked "Not For Sale".

• Original UK copies were housed in Decca's red-and-white striped company sleeve with ffrr branding.

• Original pressings featured a four-prong push-out centre.

• Publishing credits were divided between Gauntlet Music and Pall Mall Music.

• A highly accurate reproduction edition was manufactured during 2007.

• The 2007 reproduction lacks a genuine push-out centre and contains altered publishing credits.

• Additional unofficial reproductions have appeared since.

• The recording later gained renewed attention through inclusion in the Apple TV+ series Star City.

• Despite failing to chart, the single is regarded as an important early step in Bolan's artistic evolution.

RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE

Country	Date	Format	Catalogue Number
UK	June 3, 1966	7" Single	F.12413
UK	1966	7" Promo Single	F.12413
UK	2007	7" Repress	F.12413
UK	2020	7" Unofficial Lathe Cut	F.12413

TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)

Format	Catalogue Number	Tracklisting
7" Single	F.12413	Side One • The Third Degree (Bolan) Side Two • San Francisco Poet (Bolan)

RUN-OUT ETCHINGS

Side	Matrix / Runout
Side One	XDRF-38233-T1-1C
Side Two	XDRF-38234-T1-1C

SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS

Variant	Notes
Demonstration Copy	Blue "Not For Sale" label
Commercial Pressing	Black Decca label
2007 Reproduction	Lacks genuine push-out centre
2020 Lathe Cut	Unofficial release

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SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Rockfilesuk

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders.

This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.

No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

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