Tyrannosaurus Rex (April 19, 1968) – Debora(h) / Child Star Single UK: 7"

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Released on April 19, 1968, Debora(h) was the debut single by Tyrannosaurus Rex and marked the first official release by Marc Bolan's new duo project with Steve Peregrin Took. Issued on Regal Zonophone, the record introduced listeners to the distinctive acoustic sound, whimsical lyrics and mystical imagery that would soon become synonymous with Tyrannosaurus Rex.

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The single represented a dramatic departure from Bolan's earlier solo recordings, establishing a unique musical identity that blended folk influences, poetic storytelling and unconventional instrumentation. Although it reached only No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart, the record laid the foundation for the group's growing cult following.

Both tracks were recorded at Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London.

Production was handled by Tony Visconti for Straight Ahead Productions.

Both sides of the single were issued in mono.

The recordings captured the early Tyrannosaurus Rex line-up and showcased the developing partnership between Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took.

STYLE & THEMES

"Debora(h)" introduced the lyrical fantasy, wordplay and mystical atmosphere that would define Tyrannosaurus Rex's early recordings. Combining acoustic instrumentation with imaginative storytelling, the track immediately distinguished the group from contemporary folk and pop acts.

"Child Star" complements the A-side with a gentler and more introspective mood, reflecting the whimsical and intimate qualities that characterised the duo's earliest work.

Together, the recordings established the blueprint for Tyrannosaurus Rex's unique late-1960s sound.

TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES

SIDE ONE

• Debora(h) (3:07) – The debut Tyrannosaurus Rex single and the group's first chart success.

SIDE TWO

• Child Star (2:50) – A non-album B-side that highlights the duo's delicate acoustic style and poetic approach.

RELEASE HISTORY

The single was released by Regal Zonophone on April 19, 1968 under catalogue number RZ 3008.

Issued with the label's standard blue design, it became Tyrannosaurus Rex's first charting release and reached No. 34 in the UK.

Promotional copies were distributed in a dedicated picture sleeve. Commercial copies were available with both four-prong push-out and solid-centre configurations.

The single also received international releases in several territories including France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United States.

CHARTS

Chart	Peak Position
UK Singles Chart	No. 34

CHART RUN

Date	Position
May 14, 1968	47
May 21, 1968	36
May 28, 1968	34
June 4, 1968	37
June 11, 1968	38
June 18, 1968	49
June 25, 1968	49

PERSONNEL

Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar

Steve Peregrin Took — bongos, vocals

Tony Visconti — producer

PRODUCTION

Producer: Tony Visconti

Production Company: Straight Ahead Productions

Studio: Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London

Label: Regal Zonophone

Country: UK

Format: 7" Single, 45 RPM, Mono

Catalogue Number: RZ 3008

Publisher: Cromwell Music

NOTES

• Released on April 19, 1968.

• Debut Tyrannosaurus Rex single.

• Recorded at Trident Studios, Soho, London.

• Produced by Tony Visconti.

• Both sides were issued in mono.

• Reached No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart.

• Remained on the chart for seven weeks.

• Standard commercial copies were issued on Regal Zonophone's blue label.

• Promotional copies were distributed with a picture sleeve.

• Available in both four-prong push-out and solid-centre pressings.

• The title appears as "Deborah" on some promotional material and picture sleeves.

• A known label error exists with Side A and Side B labels placed on opposite sides of the record.

• Another known variation exists with the "B" side label appearing on both sides.

• One documented copy exists without Sales Tax stamp embossings.

• A green-tinted promotional sleeve is regarded as the original sleeve design.

• A black-and-white sleeve version was produced during the 1990s by Paul Johnson for the Marc Bolan fan club.

• According to the supplied source, only 99 copies of the original sleeve were produced for use with promotional discs.

• The single introduced the acoustic folk-rock style that would become synonymous with early Tyrannosaurus Rex.

RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE

Country	Date	Format	Catalogue Number
UK	April 19, 1968	7" Single	RZ 3008
UK	1968	7" Promo	RZ 3008
UK	1968	7" Solid Centre	RZ 3008
UK	1968	7" Four-Prong Centre	RZ 3008

INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS

Country	Year	Label	Catalogue Number
France	1968	Stateside	FSS 571
Germany	1968	Polydor	59 207
Germany	1968	Polydor Promo	59 207
Japan	1968	Polydor	DP-1598
Netherlands	1968	Stateside	HSS 1276
South Africa	1968	Continental Records	PD.9355
USA	1968	A&M Records Promo	955
Japan	2023	Universal Music Reissue	UIKY-75116

TRACKLIST TABLE

Format	Catalogue Number	Tracklisting
7" Single	RZ 3008	Side One • Debora(h) – 3:07 Side Two • Child Star – 2:50

RUN-OUT ETCHINGS

Side	Matrix / Runout
Side One	7XCAR 6940-1 / 1 KT 11
Side Two	7XCAR 6941-1 / 1 KT P

SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS

Variant	Notes
Promo Copy	Issued in picture sleeve
Four-Prong Centre	Standard UK commercial pressing
Solid Centre	Alternate UK pressing
Label Error Copy	Labels switched between sides
Double B-Side Label Copy	"Child Star" label on both sides
Original Green Sleeve	Promotional issue
1990s Fan Club Sleeve	Produced by Paul Johnson

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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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