T. Rex (March 11, 1977) – "The Soul Of My Suit" Single: UK
Released on March 11, 1977 on the T. Rex Wax Co. label as catalogue number MARC 16, The Soul Of My Suit was the second single issued from Dandy In The Underworld, the final studio album released during Marc Bolan's lifetime.
The single was issued at a time when T. Rex were enjoying a significant resurgence in popularity. Following the success of "I Love To Boogie" and "Dandy In The Underworld", the release continued the momentum generated by the band's late-career revival..
Although it did not become a major hit, the single reached No. 42 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the chart for three weeks.
"The Soul Of My Suit" was recorded during the Dandy In The Underworld sessions.
The recording was made either at AIR Studios, 214 Oxford Street, London, or at Abbey Road Studios, London.
The single was cut at Abbey Road Studios.
"All Alone" originated from earlier sessions recorded at Music Recorders Inc., Hollywood, California and was taken from the Futuristic Dragon period.
Both tracks were written and produced by Marc Bolan.
STYLE & THEMES
"The Soul Of My Suit" is one of the most memorable compositions from Dandy In The Underworld. The song combines the melodic accessibility of classic T. Rex with the more reflective lyrical approach that characterised Bolan's final studio work.
The recording balances glam rock energy with a mature sense of songwriting, demonstrating the creative confidence Marc Bolan had regained during 1976 and 1977.
"All Alone" provides a contrasting and more introspective companion piece, reflecting the broader stylistic range of Bolan's later recordings.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• The Soul Of My Suit – Taken from Dandy In The Underworld and selected as the album's second UK single.
• All Alone – Originally recorded during the Futuristic Dragon era and chosen as the single's B-side.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released on March 11, 1977.
Issued through EMI and T. Rex Wax Co., it became the final T. Rex single to chart before Marc Bolan's passing later that year.
The release entered the UK Singles Chart on April 2, 1977 and reached a peak position of No. 42 one week later.
The single remained on the chart for three weeks.
CHARTS
Chart | Peak Position |
UK Singles Chart | No. 42 |
UK CHART RUN
Date | Position |
April 2, 1977 | 50 |
April 9, 1977 | 42 |
April 16, 1977 | 46 |
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar, songwriter, producer
PRODUCTION
Producer: Marc Bolan
Lacquer Cut: Melvyn Abrahams ("MELYS")
Studio: AIR Studios and/or Abbey Road Studios, London
B-Side Studio: Music Recorders Inc., Hollywood
Label: T. Rex Wax Co.
Distributor: EMI
Catalogue Number: MARC 16
Release Date: March 11, 1977
NOTES
• Released on March 11, 1977.
• Reached No. 42 on the UK Singles Chart.
• Charted for three weeks.
• Issued from Dandy In The Underworld.
• Produced entirely by Marc Bolan.
• Cut at Abbey Road Studios.
• "All Alone" originated from sessions recorded at Music Recorders Inc., Hollywood.
• Lacquer cutting was carried out by Melvyn Abrahams, identified by the "MELYS" inscription in the run-out grooves.
• The A-side represented the continuing creative revival that Marc Bolan had enjoyed throughout 1976 and 1977.
• Remains one of the key singles from Bolan's final studio album.
• A rare single-sided acetate survives bearing an Abbey Road label.
• International issues were released in Australia, France, Germany and Japan.
• The single became the final UK charting T. Rex release before Marc Bolan's passing on September 16, 1977.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Label | Catalogue Number | Format | Year |
UK | T. Rex | MARC 16 | 7", 45 RPM Single | 1977 |
UK | T. Rex | MARC 16 | 7", 45 RPM Promo | 1977 |
UK | T. Rex | MARC 16 | 7", Stereo, Solid Centre | 1977 |
Australia | EMI | T.REX-11417 | 7", 45 RPM Single | 1977 |
Australia | EMI | T.REX-11417 | 7", Promo | 1977 |
France | T. Rex | 2C 006 99038 | 7", 45 RPM Single | 1977 |
Germany | Ariola | 17 855 AT | 7", 45 RPM Single | 1977 |
Japan | EMI | EMR-20218 | 7" Single | 1977 |
Japan | EMI | EMR-20218 | Promo | 1977 |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
UK Single | MARC 16 | Side 1 • The Soul Of My Suit Side 2 • All Alone |
International Editions | Various | Side 1 • The Soul Of My Suit Side 2 • All Alone |
SOURCE ALBUMS
Track | Original Album |
The Soul Of My Suit | Dandy In The Underworld (BLN 5005) |
All Alone | Futuristic Dragon (BLN 5004) |
RUN-OUT ETCHINGS
Standard UK Pressing
Side | Matrix |
Side A | YMARC 16 A-1U / 1 G / MELYS |
Side B | YMARC 16 B-1U / 1 T / MELYS |
Alternative Pressing
Side | Matrix |
Side A | YMARC 16 A-1U / MELYS |
Side B | YMARC 16 B-1U / MELYS |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
EMI Promo Copy | Promotional pressing issued to radio and media |
Solid Centre Version | Commercial solid-centre pressing |
Single-Sided Acetate | Known Abbey Road acetate exists |
Possible Irish Pressing | Copy exists without mothers and stampers, suggesting possible Irish manufacture |
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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