Teenage Dream (Marc Bolan song)
Encyclopedia
"Teenage Dream" is a 1974 single
by Marc Bolan and T. Rex
, taken from the album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow
.
and Bolan, and featured Lonnie Jordan
of War
on piano
. It was released as a single in February 1974, and spent five weeks in the UK top 40
, peaking at number 13. Biographer Mark Paytress called it Bolan's "coming out record", saying that it was "so drenched in melodramatic resignation that it was less a lament than a lordly glimpse through the iron bars of an increasingly detached existence". The song was described by Allmusic as "a virtual mini-opera", with "soaring strings, wailing guitars, towering chorales, and a genuinely foreboding sense of drama". Bolan regarded "Teenage Dream" as the best lyric he had written. It was also chosen by Bolan's former partner Gloria Jones
as her favourite Bolan lyric. He wrote and recorded the song while on tour in the United States in August 1973. It was one of the last tracks written for the Zinc Alloy album and these sessions were the last time Bolan recorded with Visconti.
and Germany
with "Mad Donna" as the B-side. In Italy it was released with "Venus Loon" on the B-side. The Japanese single on the Odeon label featured "Satisfaction Pony" on the reverse.
In the US, "Teenage Dream" was included on the album Light of Love
.
A version of the song was recorded for the BBC
, and this was released on the album The BBC Recordings 1970-1976 in 2007.
"Teenage Dream" was used in the soundtrack of the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
.
French/German single:
Italian single:
; Bill Legend of T. Rex drums on this version - for the second time round. This single was reissued in 2009 along with a promotional video filmed at the Roundhouse London - featuring Read and Legend with T. Rex fans. It was also recorded by former T. Rex drummer Mickey Finn
on his 2002 album Renaissance
. In a 2007 concert to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Bolan's death, "Teenage Dream" was performed by Marc Almond
.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by Marc Bolan and T. Rex
T. Rex (band)
T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name...
, taken from the album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow
Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow
Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow – A Creamed Cage in August is the ninth studio album by Marc Bolan & T. Rex, released in February 1974. When originally released the initial pressings were a multi-layered triple gatefold sleeve, a latticework image of the current cover featuring...
.
Background and recording
After releasing records under the 'T. Rex' name since 1970, "Teenage Dream" was the first release to be credited to 'Marc Bolan and T. Rex' "Teenage Dream" was co-produced by Tony ViscontiTony Visconti
Anthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
and Bolan, and featured Lonnie Jordan
Lonnie Jordan
Leroy "Lonnie" Jordan was a founding member of War, an American funk band in the 1970s and 1980s. Jordan had a number of roles over the years, acting as vocalist and playing guitar, piano, synthesizer, and percussion...
of War
War (band)
War is an American funk band from California, known for the hit songs "Low Rider", "Spill the Wine", "The Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?". Formed in 1969, War was a musical crossover band which fused elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae...
on piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. It was released as a single in February 1974, and spent five weeks in the UK top 40
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, peaking at number 13. Biographer Mark Paytress called it Bolan's "coming out record", saying that it was "so drenched in melodramatic resignation that it was less a lament than a lordly glimpse through the iron bars of an increasingly detached existence". The song was described by Allmusic as "a virtual mini-opera", with "soaring strings, wailing guitars, towering chorales, and a genuinely foreboding sense of drama". Bolan regarded "Teenage Dream" as the best lyric he had written. It was also chosen by Bolan's former partner Gloria Jones
Gloria Jones
Gloria Richetta Jones is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She recorded the 1964 northern soul song, "Tainted Love", later a hit for the British synth-pop duo, Soft Cell. She was the girlfriend of glam rock artist Marc Bolan of the band T...
as her favourite Bolan lyric. He wrote and recorded the song while on tour in the United States in August 1973. It was one of the last tracks written for the Zinc Alloy album and these sessions were the last time Bolan recorded with Visconti.
Other releases
The song was released as a single in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with "Mad Donna" as the B-side. In Italy it was released with "Venus Loon" on the B-side. The Japanese single on the Odeon label featured "Satisfaction Pony" on the reverse.
In the US, "Teenage Dream" was included on the album Light of Love
Light of Love
Light of Love is a US-only album released by British rock band T. Rex in 1974. It is composed of tracks previously released in the UK on the album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow, together with songs recorded in the Spring of 1974 at Music Recorders Inc. Studios in Hollywood. The album...
.
A version of the song was recorded for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, and this was released on the album The BBC Recordings 1970-1976 in 2007.
"Teenage Dream" was used in the soundtrack of the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a 2010 comedy film directed by Edgar Wright, based on the graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O'Malley. The film is about Scott Pilgrim , a young Canadian musician, meeting the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers , an American delivery girl...
.
Track listing
UK/Japanese single:- "Teenage Dream" - 5:48
- "Satisfaction Pony"
French/German single:
- "Teenage Dream"
- "Mad Donna"
Italian single:
- "Teenage Dream"
- "Venus Loon"
Cover versions
"Teenage Dream" was recorded and released as a single in 1994 by Darryl ReadDarryl Read
Darryl Read is a British poet, singer, guitarist, drummer, actor, and writer. Read is among the forerunners of punk rock...
; Bill Legend of T. Rex drums on this version - for the second time round. This single was reissued in 2009 along with a promotional video filmed at the Roundhouse London - featuring Read and Legend with T. Rex fans. It was also recorded by former T. Rex drummer Mickey Finn
Mickey Finn (musician)
Mickey Finn or occasionally Micky Finn , was the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in his band Tyrannosaurus Rex , and later, the 1970s glam rock group, T.Rex...
on his 2002 album Renaissance
Renaissance (Mickey Finn's T. Rex album)
Renaissance is a 2002 live album by Mickey Finn's T. Rex. The band plays songs made popular by the original T. Rex during the late 1960s and 1970s.-Track listing:# "Ride a White Swan"# "I Love To Boogie"# "Telegram Sam"# "Metal Guru"# "New York City"...
. In a 2007 concert to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Bolan's death, "Teenage Dream" was performed by Marc Almond
Marc Almond
Marc Almond is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who originally found fame as half of the seminal synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell...
.