T.Rex (June 30, 1973 Chart) The Groover Down One Place

Week ending June 30, 1973:

The Groover by T. Rex sits at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, dropping one spot from its peak position of No. 4 the previous week.

The single spent nine weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 4, making it the last T. Rex track to reach the top ten. "The Groover" and its B-side "Midnight" were first recorded on 20 March 1973 at Rosenberg Studios in Copenhagen, with overdubs added later in London. The original master tape, later featured on the Bump’n’Grind compilation, includes several extra minutes of Bolan’s guitar solo evolving into a jam.

VIDEO

A promotional video, shot on 3 May, showed Bolan performing in a studio mixed with live footage. Released on 1 June, the single received a lukewarm response compared to earlier hits, though it still hit number 4. By then, acts like David Bowie and Slade were dominating the charts, and some critics suggested T. Rex’s glam reign was fading. .

REVIEWS

UK reviews were particularly harsh, with Steve Peacock of Sounds saying any competent producer could have made it, while Charles Shaar Murray of NME called it more of the same and preferred the B-side. In the US, Cash Box praised it as a dynamic dance track sure to excite fans. Personnel included Marc Bolan (lead vocals, guitar, backing vocals), Mickey Finn (congas), Steve Currie (bass), Bill Legend (drums), and Tony Visconti (producer, backing vocals)