Get It On (July 23, 2026) The Song That Influenced Prince — twice

Classic Rock Magazine (Louder) reports on the creation of Marc Bolan’s 1971 classic Get It On, its chart success, its musical inspirations, and the song’s direct influence on Prince — twice.   The article includes Bolan’s own 1971 reflections on the track, session details from Trident Studios, and the song’s later reintroduction to new audiences.

Classic Rock Magazine (via LouderSound) published a new feature on 13 July 2026 exploring the story behind Marc Bolan’s 1971 T. Rex classic Get It On, the band’s only major US hit and one of the defining singles of the glam‑rock era.

The article contrasts Bolan’s earlier single Hot Love — half of which is simply the repeated “La, la, la” refrain — with the sophistication and vivid imagery of Get It On, released on 2 July 1971.

Bolan drew inspiration from Chuck Berry’s Little Queenie, even echoing the ad‑libbed line “...and meanwhile, I’m still thinking” as the track fades out.

Recorded at Trident Studios in London and produced by Tony Visconti, the session featured notable contributors: Rick Wakeman performing piano glissandos for £9, Ian McDonald (King Crimson) layering four saxophone tracks, and Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (The Turtles) providing backing vocals.

The single became the sound of summer 1971, spending four weeks at No.1 in the UK and reaching No.10 in the USA, where it was retitled Bang A Gong (Get It On) due to an existing song with the same name.

The feature notes how the 1985 cover by The Power Station reintroduced Bolan’s song to a new generation, though Bolan himself never lived to see it, having passed in 1977 at age 29.

His legacy, the article argues, is secured by the golden run of early‑70s singles — with Get It On standing as one of his most accomplished works.

Crucially for Prince fans, LouderSound highlights that Get It On served as a template for Prince’s 1991 hit Cream, not only melodically but lyrically: Bolan’s

“you’re dirty‑sweet and you’re my girl” mirrors Prince’s “you’re filthy‑cute and baby you know it.”

The article adds that Prince repeated the homage again on Peach, underscoring Bolan’s lasting influence on him.

The feature closes with Bolan’s own 1971 comment to Record Mirror:

“I honestly believe Get It On was one of the best things I’ve ever done.

The only kind of criticism I’m going to accept about it is that if someone can say, ‘Well, that’s out of tune or the guitar work is crap.’ OK, but I know it isn’t.”

for more about Marc Bolan see our website Glam Slam Boogie

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