Songs That Pay Tribute To the Glam Rock Band T Rex

By Doug Poe

Technology for the most part has left me behind, as I continue to prefer reading physical newspapers and books as well as using a phone primarily to call someone. I also enjoy listening to bands on vinyl, although I do appreciate the convenience of digital music.

Another facet of technology that I have found convenient is the DVR, which I have found to be easier to use than all of its analog predecessors. I thought I had mastered that recording device until a few weeks ago, when I accidentally taped a program I had no desire to ever watch.

Deciding to give it a preview for a few seconds before deleting it, I was immediately impressed with the show's musical intro. It turned out that Lip Sync Battle has chosen as its theme song "20th Century Boy", one of many of my favorite tunes by Marc Nolan's old glam rock band T. Rex.

Most people know T. Rex for their one hit "Bang a Gong" or because that group is mentioned in several popular songs by other bands. Here are seven such tunes, which pay tribute to T. Rex, including one by the band itself.

The Wake Up Bomb by REM

Michael Stipe admits to practicing his T. Rex moves and making the scene while getting drunk and singing along with Queen on this track from the album New Adventures In Hi-Fi.

All the Young Dudes by Mott the Hoople

David Bowie wrote this classic, on which Ian Hunter says he does not need TV because he has T. Rex.

You Better You Bet by the Who

The opening single from Face Dances has Roger Daltrey singing Pete Townshend's line about drinking himself blind while listening to Marc Nolan and his band.

Kool in the Kaftan by BA Robertson

A frequent songwriting partner of Mike Rutherford of Genesis, the Scottish artist mentioned the glam band in this track from a solo album.

Mambo Sun by the Bongos

On a rare live recording of their cover of Nolan's funky number, singer and guitarist Richard Barone introduces them as one of his favorite bands.

Prime Mover by Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction

Unlike what Bowie had written a few decades before, these guys admit to loving both TV and T. Rex on this title track.

The Groover by T. Rex

Bolan cleverly says "T are E. X." when opening this song from a compilation called Bump n Grind.

Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio by the Ramones

The punk legends include Nolan and his group on this hit from The Chinese Wall Album.