Get It On (T. Rex song)

Last updated

"Get It On"
T.Rex Get It On single cover.jpg
Single by T. Rex
from the album Electric Warrior
B-side "There Was a Time" / "Raw Ramp"
Released2 July 1971
Genre
Length4:25
Label Fly (UK)
Reprise (US)
Songwriter(s) Marc Bolan
Producer(s) Tony Visconti
T. Rex singles chronology
"Hot Love"
(1971)		"Get It On"
(1971)		"Jeepster"
(1971)
Audio
"Get It On" on YouTube

"Get It On" is a song by the English rock band T. Rex, featured on their 1971 album Electric Warrior . Written by frontman Marc Bolan, "Get It On" was the second chart-topper for T. Rex on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it was retitled "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" to avoid confusion with a song of the same name by the group Chase. [4]

Contents

History

Following the success of T. Rex's single, "Hot Love", the band went on a United States tour. While in New York in March 1971, Bolan asked drummer Bill Legend to help him brainstorm drum patterns for a song idea that would later become "Get It On". [5] Bolan claimed to have written the song out of his desire to record Chuck Berry's "Little Queenie", and said that the riff was taken from the Berry tune. In fact, a slightly edited line (And meanwhile, I'm still thinking) from "Little Queenie" is delivered during the fade of "Get It On". [6] According to producer Tony Visconti, this line was an unscripted ad-lib by Bolan during recording. [5]

This was the song that virtually ended the once-solid friendship between Bolan and John Peel, after Peel made clear his lack of enthusiasm for it on air after playing his advance white label copy. Bolan and Peel spoke only once more before the former's death in 1977. [7] [8]

The track was recorded at Trident Studios, London, and the piano on the record was performed by either Rick Wakeman or Blue Weaver. Mark Paytress notes that both pianists may have played separate parts on the song, with Wakeman contributing only the piano glissandos that feature several times throughout the song. [6] Wakeman, who was desperate for work at the time to pay his rent, had bumped into Bolan in Oxford Street, who offered him the session. Wakeman pointed out to Tony Visconti that the record did not actually need a piano player. Visconti suggested that he could add a gliss. Wakeman said that Visconti could do that, to which Bolan replied, "You want your rent, don't you?" Wakeman did, and earned £9 for his efforts. [9]

Saxophones were played by Ian McDonald of King Crimson. Producer Visconti later recalled: "He played all the saxes, one baritone and two altos. I kept the baritone separate but bounced the altos to one track. I bounced the backup vocals to two tracks, making an interesting stereo image." [10] Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (formerly The Turtles) provided back up vocals. [11] [12]

During a December 1971 Top of the Pops performance, Elton John mimed playing a piano on the song. [13] [14]

Track listing and catalogue details

  1. "Get It On" (Marc Bolan) – 4:25
  2. "There Was a Time" (Marc Bolan) – 1:00
  3. "Raw Ramp" (Marc Bolan) – 4:14

Personnel

T. Rex

Chart performance

It spent four weeks at the top in the UK, starting 24 July 1971 [15] ("Hot Love" was number one for six weeks from March to May), [16] and it was the group's biggest hit overall, with Bolan claiming that it sold a million. [17] It peaked on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 10 [18] and at number 12 in the Cash Box Top 100 [19] in March 1972, becoming the band's only major US hit.[ citation needed ] The song reached No. 12 in Canada in March 1972. [20]

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [28] Platinum600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

The Power Station version

"Get It On"
Power Station Get It On single cover.jpg
Single by the Power Station
from the album The Power Station
B-side "Go to Zero"
Released29 April 1985 (1985-04-29) [29]
Recorded1984
Studio Power Station, New York City
Genre Hard rock
Length
  • 5:31 (LP version)
  • 3:43 (45 mix)
Label
Songwriter(s) Marc Bolan
Producer(s) Bernard Edwards
The Power Station singles chronology
"Some Like It Hot"
(1985)		"Get It On"
(1985)		"Communication"
(1985)
Music video
"Get It On (Bang a Gong)" on YouTube

"Get It On" was covered by the Power Station in 1985. Their version – referred to as "Get It On (Bang a Gong)" in the US – was released as their second single from their debut album. The track was a strong hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where the single peaked at number nine (one place higher than the original) in the summer of 1985. [30] Meanwhile, in the UK, the song reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. [31]

The band was originally going have a different guest vocalist on each song on their album and had brought in Robert Palmer first to sing a different song. When Palmer heard that the band had recorded a demo of Get It On, he asked to try out vocals for it also. Afterward, the band then decided to record the entire album with Palmer. [32] This single, along with "Some Like It Hot", became the Power Station's signature songs.

On 13 July 1985, the Power Station (as well as Duran Duran), had a participation at Live Aid , on the Philadelphia concert, in which the band performed the song, this time with the British singer Michael Des Barres on vocals. [33]

The female dancer featured in the video is American dancer/singer-songwriter Sara Carlson. [34]

The song also was performed live with Michael Des Barres on vocals, in the Miami Vice episode "Whatever Works", [35] which featured all of the then-touring group in cameo roles.

Track listings

7" vinyl single

  • US: Capitol / B-5479
  • UK: Parlophone / R 6096
  • Australia: EMI / A1510
  • Europe: EMI / 20 0632 7
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Get It On" Marc Bolan 3:43
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Go to Zero" Guy Pratt, Robert Palmer 4:57

12" vinyl single

  • US: Capitol / V8646
  • UK: Parlophone / 12R 6096
  • Europe: Parlophone / 1C K 060 20 0631 6
  • Canada: Capitol / V 75107
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Get It On" (LP version)Bolan5:31
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Get It On" (45 mix)Bolan3:43
2."Go to Zero"Pratt, Palmer4:57

Charts

Chart (1985)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [36] 8
US Billboard Hot 100 [30] 9
US Billboard Top Rock Tracks [30] 19
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales [30] 47
Irish Singles Chart [37] 12
UK Singles Chart [31] 22

Other cover versions

Sampling and references

British dance act Bus Stop (known in the US as "London Bus Stop") sampled the vocals from the T. Rex original in their 2000 pseudo-cover of the song, which charted at No. 59 in the UK. [44]

English rock band Def Leppard named their twelfth studio album, Diamond Star Halos , after a line in the song. [45]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Bolan</span> English guitarist and singer (1947–1977)

Marc Bolan was an English guitarist, singer-songwriter and poet. He was a pioneer of the glam rock movement in the early 1970s with his band T. Rex. Bolan strongly influenced artists of many genres, including glam rock, punk, post-punk, new wave, indie rock, Britpop and alternative rock. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of T. Rex.

<i>Electric Warrior</i> 1971 studio album by T. Rex

Electric Warrior is the second studio album by English rock band T. Rex, released on 24 September 1971 and their sixth since their 1968 debut as Tyrannosaurus Rex. The album marked a turning point in the band's style, moving away from the folk-oriented sound of the group's previous albums and pioneering a more flamboyant, pop-friendly glam rock style.

<i>The Slider</i> 1972 studio album by T. Rex

The Slider is the seventh studio album by English rock band T. Rex, and the third since abbreviating their name from Tyrannosaurus Rex. It was released on 21 July 1972 by record labels EMI and Reprise. Two number-one singles, "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru", were released to promote the album. Issued at the height of the band's popularity, The Slider received acclaim from critics, reaching number 4 in the UK Albums Chart and number 17 in the US.

<i>A Beard of Stars</i> 1970 studio album by Tyrannosaurus Rex

A Beard of Stars is the fourth studio album by English psychedelic folk band Tyrannosaurus Rex, and their last before changing their name to T. Rex. It was released in March 1970 by record label Regal Zonophone.

<i>Unicorn</i> (Tyrannosaurus Rex album) 1969 studio album by Tyrannosaurus Rex

Unicorn is the third studio album by English psychedelic folk band Tyrannosaurus Rex. It was released on 16 May 1969 by record labels Regal Zonophone and Blue Thumb, and was the last Tyrannosaurus Rex album to feature Steve Peregrin Took.

<i>Prophets, Seers & Sages: The Angels of the Ages</i> 1968 studio album by Tyrannosaurus Rex

Prophets, Seers & Sages: The Angels of the Ages is the second studio album by English psychedelic folk band Tyrannosaurus Rex. It was released on 1 November 1968 by record label Regal Zonophone.

<i>T. Rex</i> (album) 1970 studio album by T. Rex

T. Rex is a 1970 album by Marc Bolan's band T. Rex, the first under that name and the fifth since their debut as Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1968. It was released on 18 December by record labels Fly and Reprise. The album continued the shift begun by its predecessor from the band's previous folk style to a minimal rock sound, with an even balance of electric and acoustic material.

<i>Tanx</i> 1973 studio album by T. Rex

Tanx is a 1973 album by rock band T. Rex, the eighth since their debut as Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1968, and the fourth under the moniker T. Rex. It was released on 16 March by record label EMI. Tanx was a musical departure from previous works: still containing tracks in the vein of The Slider, singer and songwriter Marc Bolan showed his interest for soul music, funk and gospel. Female backing singers appeared on a few tracks. New instruments such as mellotron were used, played by producer Tony Visconti, allowing the T. Rex sound to evolve.

<i>My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now Theyre Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows</i> 1968 studio album by Tyrannosaurus Rex

My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows is the debut album by psychedelic folk band Tyrannosaurus Rex. The release of the album was planned for early May but delayed until 5 July 1968 by record label Regal Zonophone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Love (T. Rex song)</span> 1971 single by T. Rex

"Hot Love" is a song by English glam rock band T. Rex, released as a standalone single on 12 February 1971 by record label Fly. It was the group's first number one placing on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained at the top for six weeks beginning on 14 March 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telegram Sam</span> 1972 song written by Marc Bolan

"Telegram Sam" is a song written by Marc Bolan for the British rock group T. Rex, appearing on their 1972 album The Slider. The song was their third UK number one single, remaining at the top of the charts for two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metal Guru</span> 1972 single by T. Rex

"Metal Guru" is a song by the British rock band T. Rex, written by Marc Bolan. It was the band's fourth number one on the UK Singles Chart when it topped the chart for four weeks from May–June 1972. It was also included on the album The Slider in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride a White Swan</span> 1970 single by T. Rex

"Ride a White Swan" is a song by English band T. Rex. It was released as a stand-alone single on 9 October 1970 by record label Fly, and was the first single credited under the band's new, shorter name. Like all of the band's songs, it was written by the group's singer, guitarist and founder Marc Bolan. The song was included on the US version of the 1970 album, T. Rex.

<i>Bolan Boogie</i> 1972 compilation album by T. Rex

Bolan Boogie is a compilation album by the English glam rock band T. Rex. After Marc Bolan had left Fly Records to form his own label distributed through EMI/T. Rex Wax Co, his former label released this compilation in 1972 with recent single A- and B-sides recorded in 1970 and 1971, many of which had not appeared on previous albums. Also included are album tracks from Tyrannosaurus Rex's Unicorn (1969), A Beard of Stars (1970) and T. Rex's T. Rex (1970).

<i>Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow</i> 1974 studio album by Marc Bolan & T. Rex

Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow is an album by English rock band T. Rex, the ninth since Tyrannosaurus Rex's debut LP. It was released in March 1974 on the T.Rex record label, distributed by EMI. It was the first and only album to be released under the moniker "Marc Bolan & T. Rex".

<i>Light of Love</i> 1974 studio album by T. Rex

Light of Love is a US-only album released by British rock band T. Rex in 1974. It is composed of 3 tracks previously released in the UK on the album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow, together with 8 songs recorded in the Spring of 1974 at Music Recorders Inc. Studios in Hollywood which would later appear on the album Bolan's Zip Gun. The album was engineered by Gary Ulmer and, in the absence of Tony Visconti, was produced by Marc Bolan himself. The album marked the first time that a T. Rex album had been produced without Tony Visconti and also marked Bolan's debut in this role. "Till Dawn", was re-recorded for Bolan's Zip Gun with Bolan at the controls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. Rex (band)</span> English rock band

T. Rex were an English rock band formed in London in 1967 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan, who was their leader, frontman and only consistent member. Though initially associated with the psychedelic folk genre, Bolan began to change the band's style towards electric rock in 1969, and shortened their name to T. Rex the following year. This development culminated in 1970 with their first significant hit single "Ride a White Swan", and the group soon became pioneers of the glam rock movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teenage Dream (T. Rex song)</span> 1974 single by Marc Bolan and T. Rex

"Teenage Dream" is a 1974 single by Marc Bolan and T. Rex, appeared also on the album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Groover (T. Rex song)</span> 1973 single by T. Rex

"The Groover" is a 1973 single by the British glam rock band T. Rex. Neither the track nor its B-side are taken from an album. However, they are often added as bonus material on re-releases of the 1974 album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow.

"King of the Rumbling Spires" is a single by Tyrannosaurus Rex, released in July 1969. It featured the duo of Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrine Took and was written by Bolan. It was a minor chart hit, the first by the group to contain electric guitar instead of acoustic, and was Took's last appearance with the duo on record.

References

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  6. 1 2 Paytress, Mark, Bolan: The Rise And Fall Of The 20th Century Superstar, p. 182, Omnibus Press (2003), ISBN   978-0-7119-9293-1
  7. ↑ Paytress, Mark, Bolan: The Rise And Fall Of The 20th Century Superstar, p. 182-3, Omnibus Press (2003), ISBN   978-0-7119-9293-1
  8. ↑ Peel, John, Margrave of the Marshes, p.236, 238–9, Bantam Press (2005), ISBN   978-0-593-05252-5
  9. ↑ "The Birth of Glam". The Glory of Glam. 29 June 2010. BBC. BBC Radio Two.
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  11. ↑ "Bang A Gong (Get It On) by T. Rex Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  12. ↑ Sharp, Ken (17 June 2013). "The Confessions of Kaylan". recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  13. ↑ "Video clip from 27 December 1971 Top of the Pops". BBC. 27 December 1971. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  14. ↑ "Top of the Pops 2 episode featuring this performance". BBC. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  15. 1 2 "The Official Charts Company – T.Rex – Get It On". Official Charts . Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  16. ↑ "The Official Charts Company – T.Rex – Hot Love". Official Charts . Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  17. ↑ Kutner, Jon; Leigh, Spencer (26 May 2010). 1,000 UK Number One Hits. Omnibus Press. ISBN   9780857123602 . Retrieved 14 August 2017– via Google Books.
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  19. 1 2 "Cash Box Top 100 3/18/72". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  20. 1 2 "RPM Volume 17 No. 5, March 18, 1972 – RPM". Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
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  22. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Week 36, 1971" (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  23. ↑ "irishcharts.ie search results". Archived from the original on 5 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  24. ↑ "norwegiancharts.com – T. Rex – Get It On" . Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  25. ↑ "T. Rex – Get It On – hitparade.ch" (in German). Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  26. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1972/Top 100 Songs of 1972". Musicoutfitters.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
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  29. ↑ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 27 April 1985. p. 14. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  30. 1 2 3 4 "allmusic ((( The Power Station > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))" . Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  31. 1 2 "The Official Charts Company – Power Station – Get It On". Official Charts . Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  32. ↑ "allmusic ((( The Power Station > Biography )))" . Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  33. ↑ "Power station from Live Aid video". NME . Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  34. ↑ Sara Carlson music dance art|My Story @saracarlson.net Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  35. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
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  39. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 282.
  40. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 923.
  41. ↑ John, Elton. "Elton collaborated with @U2 on an interpretation of 'Bang a Gong (Get It On)' for the new album 'Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex'. It's out now on CD, Vinyl and Digital". Elton John's Twitter account. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  42. ↑ Graff, Gary (September 2020). "U2, Elton John and other stars celebrate Marc Bolan and T. Rex in new tribute album". Cleveland.com. Cleveland.com / Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  43. ↑ "ICEHOUSE, Simple Minds - Get It on (Lyric Video)". YouTube . 25 November 2023.
  44. ↑ "The Official Charts Company – Bus Stop Featuring T Rex – Get It On". Official Charts . Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  45. ↑ Gallucci, Michael (25 May 2022). "Def Leppard, 'Diamond Star Halos': Album Review". Ultimate Classic Rock . Retrieved 4 January 2024.
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