T. Rex (June 1, 1973) - The Groover / Midnight Single: UK

"The Groover" is a high-energy glam rock single that marked the end of T. Rex’s unbroken run of UK Top 10 hits. Released as a standalone non-album single on the band’s own T. Rex Wax Co. imprint, it reached No.4 in the UK — still a strong success but signalling the beginning of a commercial softening as newer glam acts like Slade and David Bowie dominated the charts. It remains a fan favourite for its crunching riff and infectious groove.

RELEASE DETAILS

• Artist: T. Rex

• Label: T. Rex Wax Co. (EMI)

• Date: June 1, 1973

• Catalogue: MARC 5

• Format: 7" Vinyl Single

• Country: UK

• A-Side: “The Groover”

• B-Side: “Midnight”

  • Written by: Marc Bolan

  • Produced by: Tony Visconti

UK 7" Commercial Single (MARC 5)

A. The Groover

B. Midnight

Note: 

Copies were also pressed in Holland to meet demand. Dutch exports can be distinguished by “Made in Holland” on the labels instead of “Gt. Britain”.

UK Variants

• 4-prong push-out centre

• Solid centre

• White-label promo

• Multiple pressing variants (including Dutch-made for UK market)

Rolling Stone, full page advert June 3, 1973

PERSONNEL

• Marc Bolan – lead vocals, guitar, backing vocals

• Mickey Finn – congas

• Steve Currie – bass guitar

• Bill Legend – drums

• Tony Visconti – producer, backing vocals

Chart Performance (UK OCC):

• Entered: June 16, 1973

• Peak: 4 (June 23, 1973)

• Weeks on chart: 9

• Top 10: 4 weeks

THE STORY 

“The Groover” and its B-side “Midnight” were first recorded on March 20, 1973 at Rosenberg Studios in Copenhagen, with later overdubs in London. The original master tape (later released on archival compilations) features several extra minutes of Bolan’s closing guitar solo as the song evolves into a jam. A promotional video was shot on May 3, 1973 featuring Bolan prancing in a film studio intercut with live clips.

The track delivers a heavy, chugging guitar-driven sound with a powerful Bolan vocal performance and a memorable extended guitar solo in the original master (later trimmed for the single). It has a raw, danceable energy typical of peak-era T. Rex but with a slightly heavier edge.

B-Sides The UK 7" carried one non-album B-side, often regarded as strong enough to have been an A-side itself.

“Midnight”

• Recorded: Rosenberg Studios, Copenhagen — March 20, 1973 (with London overdubs)

• A moody, atmospheric track with strong melodic hooks

• Showcases a more reflective side of Bolan’s songwriting while still fitting the glam sound

International Issues 

Australia

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Australia · 1973

Austria

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Ariola — Austria · 1973

Belgium

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — Belgium · 1973

Brazil

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Brazil · 1973

Denmark

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Denmark · 1973

France

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — France · 1973

Germany

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Ariola — Germany · 1973

Greece

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Greece · 1973

Hungary

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Pepita — Hungary · 1973

Ireland

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Ireland · 1973

Israel

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — CBS — Israel · 1973

Italy

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Italy · 1973

Japan

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Japan · 1973

Lebanon

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Lebanon · 1973

Netherlands

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Ariola — Netherlands · 1973

New Zealand

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — New Zealand · 1973

Norway

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Norway · 1973

South Africa

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — South Africa · 1973

Spain

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Ariola — Spain · 1973

Sweden

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Sweden · 1973

Yugoslavia

• The Groover — 7", 45 RPM, Single — T. Rex — Yugoslavia · 1973

SOURCES 

Discogs,

45cat,

Official Charts,

Wikipedia.

This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. All rights to the music, artwork, and trademarks belong to their respective copyright holders.