T. Rex (May 19, 2023) – "20th Century Boy" b/w "Free Angel" Single: UK

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Released on May 19, 2023, this limited edition 7" picture disc launched Demon Records' campaign celebrating T. Rex's singles from 1973. The release formed part of a wider programme of archival projects that included the Whatever Happened To The Teenage Dream? 5LP and 4CD box sets, together with the Songwriter: 1973 LP.

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Presented as a collector's edition, the single featured photography sourced from the Keith Morris archive and revisited one of Marc Bolan's most enduring recordings. "20th Century Boy", first issued in March 1973, remains one of the most recognisable songs in the T. Rex catalogue and has long been associated with the peak years of the glam rock movement.

The song reached number 3 in the UK charts, remaining in that position for three weeks.

During its chart run, Slade's "Cum On Feel The Noize" occupied the number one position, while releases by Faces and Donny Osmond held the number two slot.

The recording enjoyed a significant revival in 1991 when its inclusion in a Levi's television advertisement starring Brad Pitt returned the song to the UK Top 20, where it reached number 13. Over the years, it has also been recorded by artists including Def Leppard and Siouxsie & The Banshees.

TRACK‑BY‑TRACK NOTES

• 20th Century Boy — One of Marc Bolan's most celebrated compositions and among the defining recordings of the glam rock era. Originally released in March 1973 before later returning to the UK chart following its use in a high-profile television advertising campaign.

• Free Angel — The original B-side accompanying "20th Century Boy". Although issued during the same period as Tanx, the song was not included on the album.

RELEASE HISTORY

This commemorative picture disc edition was issued on May 19, 2023, as the first release in Demon Records' programme devoted to T. Rex's 1973 singles.

Packaged as a limited-edition collector's item, the record utilised photographs from the Keith Morris archive and formed part of a coordinated celebration of the band's 1973 output across multiple formats and archival releases.

NOTES

• Limited Edition 7" Picture Disc.

• Part of Demon Records' T. Rex 1973 campaign.

• Features photographs from the Keith Morris archive.

• "20th Century Boy" was originally released in March 1973.

• The original single reached number 3 in the UK chart and remained there for three weeks.

• The song returned to the UK Top 20 in August 1991 following its use in a Levi's television advertisement starring Brad Pitt.

• The 1991 reissue peaked at number 13.

• The song has been covered by Def Leppard and Siouxsie & The Banshees, among others.

• Neither "20th Century Boy" nor "Free Angel" appeared on Tanx, which was released three weeks later.

RELEASE TABLE

Artist	Title	Label	Country	Catalogue	Date	Format
T. Rex	20th Century Boy	Demon Records	United Kingdom	DEMSING013	May 19, 2023	7" Picture Disc

TRACKLIST TABLE

Format	Catalogue	Tracklisting
7" Picture Disc	DEMSING013	A. 20th Century Boy B. Free Angel

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SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts

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