Marc Bolan And T. Rex: Stand By Me Album (1987)

A Posthumous Bolan Bonanza

Marc Bolan And T. Rex’s Stand By Me 2 x Vinyl LP compilation, was released in the UK on November 7, 1987, on Connoisseur Collection (catalogue: VSOP LP 100). This 24-track stereo anthology gathered Bolan's solo and T. Rex rarities, including “Stand By Me” and “The Groover.” Produced by Marc Bolan, Tony Visconti, and John & Shan Bramley, it did not chart. Issued in a gatefold sleeve with liner notes by John & Shan Bramley and design by Acrobat Design Ltd., it’s a treasure trove of Bolan’s glam and psychedelic legacy.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: Connoisseur Collection (UK).

Formats: 2 x Vinyl LP, Compilation, Stereo; CD; Cassette.

℗ & ©: 1987 Connoisseur Collection. Plated by Max*.

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

Stand By Me was released in the UK in 1981 as a 2 x Vinyl LP, CD, and Cassette:

2 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Stereo (Catalogue: VSOP LP 100):

Side A:

The Groover (3:18, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Think Zinc (3:22, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Tenement Lady (2:54, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

Rock On (3:26, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

Free Angel (2:12, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

Telegram Sam (3:45, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

Side B:

Stand By Me (3:00, Marc Bolan) – Producer – John & Shan Bramley

Country Honey (1:46, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

Teenage Riot Structure (3:33, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Solid Gold Easy Action (2:15, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Truck On (Tyke) (3:04, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Pain And Love (3:41, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Side C:

Children Of The Revolution (2:26, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

Solid Baby (2:36, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

20th Century Boy (3:35, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

I Really Love You Baby (3:32, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Visions Of Domino (2:24, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Teenage Dream (4:55, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

Side D:

Metal Guru (2:26, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

Casual Agent (2:55, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Tame My Tiger (2:29, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Precious Star (2:50, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Chariot Choogle (2:44, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Tony Visconti

The Leopards Featuring Gardina & The Mighty Slug (3:30, Marc Bolan) – Producer – Marc Bolan

Packaging: Gatefold sleeve with liner notes by John & Shan Bramley; design by Acrobat Design Ltd.

CD Album Compilation (Catalogue: VSOP CD 100):

A1 The Groover 3:18

A2 Think Zinc 3:22

A3 Tenement Lady 2:54

A4 Rock On 3:26

A5 Free Angel 2:12

A6 Telegram Sam 3:45

A7 Stand By Me 3:00

A8 Country Honey 1:46

A9 Teenage Riot Structure 3:33

A10 Solid Gold Easy Action 2:15

A11 Truck On (Tyke) 3:04

A12 Pain And Love 3:41

B1 Children Of The Revolution 2:26

B2 Solid Baby 2:36

B3 20th Century Boy 3:35

B4 I Really Love You Baby 3:32

B5 Visions Of Domnino 2:24

B6 Teenage Dream 4:55

B7 Metal Guru 2:26

B8 Casual Agent 2:55

B9 Tame My Tiger 2:29

B10 Precious Star 2:50

B11 Chariot Choogle 2:44

B12 The Leopards Featuring Gardina & The Mighty Slug 3:35

Cassette, Compilation (Catalogue: VSOP MC 100):

Side A:

The Groover (3:18)

Think Zinc (3:22)

Tenement Lady (2:54)

Rock On (3:26)

Free Angel (2:12)

Telegram Sam (3:45)

Stand By Me (3:00)

Country Honey (1:46)

Teenage Riot Structure (3:33)

Solid Gold Easy Action (2:15)

Truck On (Tyke) (3:04)

Pain And Love (3:41)

Side B:

Children Of The Revolution (2:26)

Solid Baby (2:36)

20th Century Boy (3:35)

I Really Love You Baby (3:32)

Visions Of Domino (2:24)

Teenage Dream (4:55)

Metal Guru (2:26)

Casual Agent (2:55)

Tame My Tiger (2:29)

Precious Star (2:50)

Chariot Choogle (2:44)

The Leopards Featuring Gardinia & The Mighty Slug (3:35)

Country Variations

The album was released only in the UK

Production and Context

Produced by Marc Bolan, Tony Visconti, and John & Shan Bramley. Liner Notes: John & Shan Bramley. Design: Acrobat Design Ltd. Plated by Max. Released posthumously in 1987, it compiled Bolan’s solo and T. Rex rarities. Stand By Me was a Connoisseur Collection anthology.

Album Chart Performance

The album did not achieve chart success.

Legacy and Collectibility

Legacy and Collectibility

Stand By Me is a Bolan anthology, with “Stand By Me” a rare cover and “The Groover” a glam staple. Verify catalogue VSOP LP 100.Streams on Spotify via reissues preserve the analog sparkle. This compilation is a must-have for Bolan fans and T. Rex collectors.

Do you have Stand By Me in your vinyl stack? Which Bolan track grooves your turntable? Share in the comments!

Sources:

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube