T.Rex: "T. Rex Disco Party" Single (1975)

T.Rex’s "T. Rex Disco Party", also known as "Bolan's Jive In '75", comprising three tracks including "Dreamy Lady" backed with "Do You Wanna Dance?" and "Dock of the Bay", was released as a 7-inch vinyl extended play single in the UK by EMI Records under T. Rex Wax Co. (catalog number MARC 11) on September 26, 1975.

Tracks:

A-Side: Dreamy Lady

B-Side: Do You Wanna Dance / Dock of the Bay

Release Date: 26 September 1975

Record Label: EMI Records (UK, MARC 11)

Format: 7-inch vinyl, 45 RPM, Single/EP

Genre: Glam rock / Pop rock / Disco

Producer: Marc Bolan

Songwriters: Dreamy Lady: Marc Bolan

Do You Wanna Dance: Bobby Freeman (cover)

Dock of the Bay: Otis Redding, Steve Cropper (cover, performed by Gloria Jones)

Matrix/Runout:Side A: YMARC 11 A-1

Side B: YMARC 11 B-1

Published By: Wizard Publishing Ltd., Sherwin Music Ltd., Warner Bros. Music Ltd.

Background and Context

T. Rex, led by Marc Bolan, was a pioneering glam rock band that transitioned from the psychedelic folk of Tyrannosaurus Rex in the late 1960s to a chart-topping glam rock act in the early 1970s with hits like "Hot Love," "Get It On," and "Metal Guru." By 1975, the band’s commercial peak had waned in the UK, but Bolan was adapting to new musical trends, incorporating disco and soul elements into T. Rex’s sound. This shift was evident in their 1975 album Bolan’s Zip Gun, which blended glam rock with R&B and funk influences.The "T. Rex Disco Party" single, released in the wake of Bolan’s Zip Gun and before Futuristic Dragon (1976), reflects Bolan’s experimentation with disco. The subtitle "Bolan's Jive In '75" emphasizes the danceable, upbeat vibe of the release. The inclusion of two cover songs on the B-side, one performed by Bolan’s partner Gloria Jones, highlights the band’s engagement with soul and R&B, genres Jones was known for as a soul singer and songwriter.Track DetailsA-Side: "Dreamy Lady"Written by Marc Bolan, this is an original T. Rex track with a disco-inflected glam rock sound. It features Bolan’s signature poetic lyrics and a catchy, danceable rhythm, reflecting the mid-1970s trend toward disco.

Duration: Approximately 2:55 (based on Discogs and streaming platforms).

The song was a moderate hit, aligning with T. Rex’s efforts to stay relevant in a changing musical landscape.

B-Side: "Do You Wanna Dance"

A cover of the 1958 rock and roll classic by Bobby Freeman, reinterpreted by T. Rex with a glam rock flair. Bolan’s version adds a slick, energetic vibe suitable for the disco era.

Duration: Approximately 2:15 (based on typical cover versions).

B-Side: "Dock of the Bay"

A cover of the 1968 soul classic by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper, performed by Gloria Jones (credited as a solo performance on some sources). Jones, Bolan’s partner and a backing vocalist for T. Rex, brings her soulful vocal style to this track, making it a standout on the EP.

Duration: Approximately 2:20 (based on streaming versions).

This track underscores the soul influence on T. Rex’s mid-1970s output and highlights Jones’s role in the band’s evolving sound.

Commercial Performance

Chart Performance: The single reached No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart, staying in the charts for 5 weeks.

T. Rex's "Dreamy Lady" One-Page Advert Record Mirror October 4, 1975.

This was a modest success compared to T. Rex’s earlier string of 11 consecutive UK Top 10 singles from 1970 to 1973 (e.g., "Hot Love," "Get It On"). The lower chart position reflects the decline in T. Rex’s UK popularity by 1975, as glam rock gave way to disco, punk, and other genres.

Recording and Production

Recording Location: The tracks were recorded at Music Recorders Inc., Hollywood, as noted for other 1975 T. Rex singles.

Producer: Marc Bolan, who took a hands-on role in production following his split with longtime producer Tony Visconti in 1974. Bolan’s self-production aimed for a harder, more futuristic sound, though it received mixed reviews from critics at the time.

The inclusion of Gloria Jones on "Dock of the Bay" highlights her significant role in T. Rex’s mid-1970s sound, both as a vocalist and as Bolan’s creative partner.

Cultural and Historical Context

Glam Rock’s Decline: By 1975, glam rock was losing ground to disco, punk, and new wave. T. Rex’s incorporation of disco elements in "Dreamy Lady" and the soulful covers on the B-side was a strategic move to stay relevant, though it didn’t fully recapture their earlier UK chart dominance.

Marc Bolan’s Career: In 1975, Bolan returned to the UK after a period of tax exile in the US and Monaco. He made regular appearances on the TV show Supersonic, directed by Mike Mansfield, to promote T. Rex’s new material, including this single.

Gloria Jones’s Influence: Jones, who gave birth to Bolan’s son, Rolan Bolan, in September 1975, was a key figure in T. Rex’s shift toward soul and R&B. Her performance on "Dock of the Bay" reflects her established career as a soul artist (notably, the original performer of "Tainted Love").

Sleeve: The single typically came with a plain or company sleeve, though some European releases (e.g., Germany, Netherlands) included picture sleeves.

Digital Availability:

"Dreamy Lady" is available on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, often as part of T. Rex compilations or the Futuristic Dragon album reissues.

"Do You Wanna Dance" and "Dock of the Bay" are less commonly featured but appear on select T. Rex anthologies or bootlegs.

Compilations: The tracks are included in releases like The Essential Collection (2002) and Marc Bolan & T. Rex: The Singles 1973-80 (Cherry Red, 2023).

YouTube: Audio for all three tracks is available, including fan uploads and official releases from T. Rex’s catalog.

Critical Reception

The single received mixed reviews at the time, as Bolan’s self-produced work was often criticized for lacking the polish of his earlier Tony Visconti-produced hits.

Japan - T. Rex - 1975

"Dreamy Lady" was praised for its catchy, danceable quality but didn’t achieve the same cultural impact as T. Rex’s early-1970s hits. The B-side covers were seen as a nod to Bolan’s love for classic rock and soul, with Gloria Jones’s "Dock of the Bay" standing out for its soulful delivery.

Retrospectively, the single is appreciated by T. Rex fans and glam rock collectors for its transitional sound, bridging glam rock with disco and soul.

Legacy:

The single is a snapshot of T. Rex’s mid-1970s evolution, reflecting Bolan’s adaptability to new musical trends. While not as iconic as "Get It On" or "Metal Guru," it remains a fan favorite for its disco-glam fusion.

Gloria Jones’s involvement underscores her influence on Bolan’s later work and her role in shaping T. Rex’s sound during this period.

T. Rex’s influence on glam rock, punk, and later genres is well-documented, and this single is part of their broader legacy, celebrated in their 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Sources

Discogs: Detailed credits, tracklists, and vinyl variants for "T. Rex Disco Party"

Wikipedia: Background on T. Rex’s career, discography, and Bolan’s 1975 activities.

Official Charts Company: Chart performance data.