T.Rex: "20th Century Boy" Single (1991)

Marc Bolan & T.Rex’s "20th Century Boy", a single with B-sides "Midnight" and "The Groover", was released in September 1991 as a 7-inch vinyl along with a 12-inch vinyl and 5-inch CD single in the UK.( both including the additional track "Telegram Sam"(Live)

The release was in conjunction with Levi’s 501 Campaign, hence its catalogue number of MARC 501, where "20th Century Boy" was featured in the advert directed by Chris Hartwill.

The ad features Brad Pitt as a prisoner released from a Mexican jail, handed a camera but no pants, highlighting the Levi’s 501 jeans. The ad’s rebellious, youthful vibe was amplified by "20th Century Boy", which became synonymous with Pitt’s breakout moment.

Impact:

The ad boosted Pitt’s career (leading to Thelma & Louise) and drove renewed interest in T. Rex, prompting the reissue

of "20th Century Boy" as MARC 501. The single’s success (No. 13 UK) was a direct result of the ad’s cultural impact.

Chart Performance:

Reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart in 1991, driven by the Levi’s ad exposure.

Purpose of MARC 501:

Released by Marc On Wax to capitalize on the Levi’s ad, the single included "Midnight" and "The Groover" to appeal to both new listeners and longtime fans, while promoting the forthcoming Telstar album "The Ultimate Collection".

Track Details (MARC 501 Single)

A-Side: "20th Century Boy"

Original Release: March 1973 (EMI MARC 4, B-side: "Free Angel").

Details: Recorded on 3 December 1972 at Toshiba Recording Studios, Tokyo, with overdubs in London. Produced by Tony Visconti (credited, though Bolan and Mick O’Halloran handled the session). A glam rock anthem with a iconic riff, it originally peaked at No. 3 in the UK. Its 1991 reissue hit No. 13 due to the Levi’s ad. Lyrics reference Muhammad Ali’s “sting like a bee.”

Significance: A cornerstone of T. Rex’s catalog, celebrated for its raw energy and enduring appeal in media (e.g., The Truman Show, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, 20th Century Boys manga).

B-Side: "Midnight"

Original Release:

B-side "The Groover" (June 1973, EMI MARC 5).

Details: Produced by Marc Bolan during the Tanx sessions (1972–1973). A mellow, atmospheric track with poetic lyrics and soulful backing vocals, it’s a lesser-known gem for fans.

Duration: ~2:47.

B-Side: "The Groover"

Original Release:

June 1973 (EMI MARC 5, B-side: "Midnight").

Details: Produced by Tony Visconti, it reached No. 4 in the UK in 1973. A high-energy glam rock track celebrating T. Rex’s groove, it was a fan favorite and live staple.

Duration: ~3:20.

Significance: Included on the Telstar compilation, reinforcing its status as a key T. Rex track.

The Ultimate Collection (Telstar, 1991)

The MARC 501 single was explicitly tied to the Telstar Records compilation "The Ultimate Collection" (Catalog: TCD 2539 for CD, STAR 2539 for LP, Telstar Records, 1991), which capitalized on the Levi’s-driven resurgence of "20th Century Boy." This album, licensed from Marc On Wax Ltd. and Castle Communications Plc. courtesy of Cube Records, was a 24-track CD (with additional tracks on cassette) designed to showcase T. Rex’s career highlights.

Album Details

Release Date: September 1991

Label: Telstar Records (TCD 2539 for CD, STAR 2539 for LP)

Barcode: 5014469525399

Format: CD, LP, Cassette (cassette includes four bonus tracks)

Length: ~1:17:52 (CD)

Track Listing (CD, 24 tracks):

“20th Century Boy” (3:40, 1973, #3 UK, 9 weeks)

“Metal Guru” (2:27, 1972, #1 UK, 14 weeks)

“I Love to Boogie” (2:12, 1976, #13 UK, 9 weeks)

“Deborah” (3:09, 1968, #34 UK, 7 weeks)

“New York City” (3:56, 1975, #15 UK, 8 weeks)

“Telegram Sam” (3:46, 1972, #1 UK, 12 weeks)

“Hot Love” (4:57, 1971, #1 UK, 17 weeks)

“Dreamy Lady” (2:53, 1975, #30 UK, 5 weeks)

“One Inch Rock” (1:43, 1968, #28 UK, 7 weeks)

“The Soul of My Suit” (2:35, 1977, #42 UK, 3 weeks)

“London Boys” (2:21, 1976, #40 UK, 3 weeks)

“Ride a White Swan” (2:14, 1970, #2 UK, 20 weeks)

“Get It On” (4:26, 1971, #1 UK, 13 weeks)

“Light of Love” (3:16, 1974, #22 UK, 5 weeks)

“Children of the Revolution” (2:28, 1972, #2 UK, 10 weeks)

“Jeepster” (4:11, 1971, #2 UK, 15 weeks)

“Laser Love” (3:34, 1976, #41 UK, 4 weeks)

“Zip Gun Boogie” (3:17, 1974, #41 UK, 3 weeks)

“The Groover” (3:20, 1973, #4 UK, 9 weeks)

“King of the Rumbling Spires” (2:10, 1969, #44 UK, 1 week)

“Plateau Skull [Previously Unreleased]” (3:51, 1991)

“Truck On (Tyke)” (3:05, 1973, #12 UK, 11 weeks)

“Solid Gold Easy Action” (2:22, 1972, #2 UK, 11 weeks)

“Teenage Dream” (5:48, 1974, #13 UK, 5 weeks)

Cassette Bonus Tracks: The cassette version includes four additional tracks (not specified in sources but noted as bonuses).

Producers: Primarily Tony Visconti (most tracks), with Marc Bolan producing select tracks (e.g., "I Love to Boogie," "The Soul of My Suit").

Personnel (key contributors across T. Rex’s career):

Marc Bolan: Vocals, guitar, harmonium, etc.

Mickey Finn: Percussion, backing vocals

Steve Currie: Bass

Bill Legend: Drums

Gloria Jones, Sue & Sunny, Flo & Eddie: Backing vocals

Additional musicians: Ian McDonald (saxophone), Burt Collins (flugelhorn), Dino Dines (keyboards).

Packaging: CD in a jewel case with a 6-page booklet (liner notes, photos); LP and cassette versions also available.

Connection to MARC 501The MARC 501 single explicitly promoted "The Ultimate Collection", as noted on its sleeve or label, with "20th Century Boy" and "The Groover" featured as tracks 1 and 19, respectively, on the album.

UK 12-inch sleeve featuring "Telegram Sam" (live) additional track.

The single’s release was a strategic tie-in to the Levi’s ad, boosting the album’s visibility. The compilation itself was marketed as a definitive overview of T. Rex’s career, capitalizing on the renewed interest in "20th Century Boy."

Levi’s Branding: The album’s packaging references Levi’s as a registered trademark (used with permission from Levi Strauss UK Ltd.), reinforcing the commercial synergy.

Album Context and Significance Purpose:

Released by Telstar Records in 1991, The Ultimate Collection was a response to the Levi’s ad-driven resurgence of T. Rex’s popularity. It aimed to provide a comprehensive single-disc overview of T. Rex’s hits, spanning their psychedelic folk beginnings as Tyrannosaurus Rex (e.g., "Deborah," "One Inch Rock") to their glam rock peak (e.g., "20th Century Boy," "Metal Guru") and later works (e.g., "I Love to Boogie").

Track Selection:

The album covers 1968–1977, including 11 UK Top 10 singles (e.g., four No. 1s: "Hot Love," "Get It On," "Telegram Sam," "Metal Guru") and lesser-known tracks like the previously unreleased "Plateau Skull" (slated for a forthcoming album, Savage Beethoven).

Chart Performance:

Specific chart data for the album is inconsistent, but it benefited from the 1991 reissue of "20th Century Boy" and the broader T. Rex revival. Some sources suggest it charted modestly, though not as high as T. Rex’s 1970s albums like Electric Warrior (No. 1 UK).

Reception: Fans and reviewers praised the compilation for its breadth, covering T. Rex’s evolution from folk to glam rock. Amazon reviews highlight favorites like "20th Century Boy," "Metal Guru," and "Get It On," with customers appreciating the CD’s condition and song selection. One reviewer noted it as a “good starting point” for T. Rex fans.

Cultural and Historical Context

Levi’s Campaign Impact:

The 1991 Levi’s "Camera" ad was a cultural milestone, not only for Brad Pitt’s career but also for reviving T. Rex’s music. The ad’s use of "20th Century Boy" mirrored earlier Levi’s successes (e.g., Marvin Gaye’s "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" in 1985), driving chart success for reissued singles.

T. Rex’s Legacy:

By 1991, Marc Bolan’s death (16 September 1977) had left T. Rex as a cult act in the US but a glam rock cornerstone in the UK. The Levi’s ad and The Ultimate Collection reintroduced Bolan to new audiences, reinforcing his influence on punk, new wave, and later genres. T. Rex’s 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction underscores this legacy.

Marc On Wax and Telstar:

Both labels played key roles in preserving Bolan’s catalog post-1977. The Ultimate Collection was licensed from Marc On Wax Ltd. and Cube Records, ensuring authenticity and access to T. Rex’s master recordings.

UK 5-inch CD sleeve featuring "Telegram Sam" (live) additional track.

Fan Club: The album’s packaging references the official Marc Bolan Fan Club (PO Box 122, Belton, Nr Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN9 1QE, England), promoting rarities and merchandise.

Critical Reception

MARC 501 Single:

The 1991 reissue was praised for leveraging the Levi’s ad’s popularity, with "20th Century Boy" lauded as a timeless glam rock anthem. Critics noted its fit with Pitt’s rebellious image.

The Ultimate Collection:

Reviewers appreciated its comprehensive scope, from Tyrannosaurus Rex’s folk era to T. Rex’s glam rock hits. The inclusion of "Plateau Skull" was a highlight for collectors, though some felt the compilation leaned heavily on well-known singles. Amazon reviews give it 5 stars for sound quality and track selection.

Levi’s Ad:

The ad was a critical and cultural success, often cited as one of Pitt’s best early roles and a benchmark for music-driven advertising.