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T. Rex — Bang A Gong (Get It On)
Album: Electric Warrior
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3606









Released: 1971
Length: 4:20
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Well you're dirty and sweet, clad in black
Don't look back and I love you
You're dirty and sweet, oh yeah
Well you're slim and you're weak
You've got the teeth of a hydra upon you
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl.

[Chorus]
Get it on, bang the gong, get it on
Get it on, bang the gong, get it on

You're built like a car,
You've got a hub cap diamond star halo
You're built like a car, oh yeah
You're an untamed youth that's the truth
With your cloak full of eagles
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl.

[Chorus]

You're windy and wild,
You've got the blues in your shoes and your
Stockings
You're windy and wild, oh yeah
You're built like a car,
You've got a hub cap diamond star halo
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl.

[Chorus]

You're dirty and sweet,
Clad in black, don't look back
And I love you
You're dirty and sweet, oh yeah
You dance when you walk so let's dance,
Take a chance, understand me
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl.

[Chorus]
Comments (129)add comment
Underrated in their (my) time. Glad to see some propers here.
Way ahead of their time -- influenced Bowie, New Wave rock.... gone too soon.
now we are talking....yee hawww....
 marysclark wrote:

Too funny!   very appropriate!  
Doug was great, but The Live Earl Jive was my guy.  And I can assure you he loved T Rex 

 pshand wrote:


I remember that too. Also their "pop up" concert at Pierrefonds hockey arena. I think that's where it was, not positive, even though I was there.



Marc Bolan was gorgeous and as a young school girl I absolutely LOVED T.Rex
 dandueck07 wrote:

I attended a T.Rex concert in the Great White North (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) in 1973/74ish (it was all an "ish" in those days.  Blue Oyster Cult was the main back-up band, and rocked the Field House!  T.Rex came out and instantly sounded like a wild cat trapped in a metal garbage can.  They were very loud and very out of sync.  Almost half the crowd left (as polite Canadians tend to do), but the remaining stragglers booed and threw a few things at the stage after each screeching rendition.  Then came the coup de gras, that is forever etched in my mind.
Marc Bolan took the mic and spoke to the half-crowd, "C'mon Edmonton!  Give us a break.  Even us superstars are human, sometimes."  
Much as I like "Bang A Gong", I can never get past the arrogance of the cocky lead singer, who seemed to think he was a superstar.  Was he that "out of it" that he didn't know the true "superstars" never played in Edmonton in those days?



As far as I'm concerned, Bolan is a superstar ... because of the quality of the music. In the comment section for the previous Devo song, someone said they saw them for $5 in 1989--does that make Devo any less great? I certainly don't hold it against T. Rex that they played in Edmonton. But we can agree that BOC was awesome in those days and that must have been quite a show! 
If it wasn't Saturday night and I wasn't drinking and cooking, I would so get off my ass and pull up the comparison pics of Marc and myself.  Mine was from 1990 and I had that HAIR... hysterical.....
 awhfman wrote:

We used to do a mash-up of this and The Hollies "Long Cool Woman". Think about it!


Perfect match! 
 marysclark wrote:
https://media.giphy.com/media/Vsxv2SHYkcLSg/giphy.gif
 
OK then, marysclark, that is fantabulous, thank you
From 8 to 9 tonight. 
 thurstonvirginia wrote:

I love T. Rex. My only beef is that this is just about the only song of theirs that we ever hear, anywhere, even here. They have so many other good songs -- I've heard this one so much I'd rather hear anything else of theirs.



i'm with you.

i just played lean woman blues and buick mccaine at home the other day...
Bowie was takin' notes when this came out.... ( Blue Jean )
 lizardking wrote:
OMG and LOL, Joe!  I was scrolling thru the comments expecting I'd see my own comment about how this song is called "Gang a Bong" in my household; nice to see it's not just this Joe.  Long Live Radio Paradise and ganging up on bongs!!  

And yeah, this one's a 9 rate for me, I also like Jeepster (8) & Mambo Sun (9) which are also in the RP dB. 



Too  Funny!!  ... I gave them all an 8+!  
We used to do a mash-up of this and The Hollies "Long Cool Woman". Think about it!
 joejennings wrote:

Gang a Bong (Get it On)   

OMG and LOL, Joe!  I was scrolling thru the comments expecting I'd see my own comment about how this song is called "Gang a Bong" in my household; nice to see it's not just this Joe.  Long Live Radio Paradise and ganging up on bongs!!  

And yeah, this one's a 9 rate for me, I also like Jeepster (8) & Mambo Sun (9) which are also in the RP dB. 
 thurstonvirginia wrote:

I love T. Rex. My only beef is that this is just about the only song of theirs that we ever hear, anywhere, even here. They have so many other good songs -- I've heard this one so much I'd rather hear anything else of theirs.


RP has 4 tunes from this album on their list! I rated all 4 of them 8 and they are on "My Favorites" list!  Thanx RP!  
JFC 
I’ve ALWAYS thought this was The Rolling Stones!! wtAF? smh

and I also thought the lyrics were, “…You dirty, sweet, no-mind girl.”

please don’t judge. 🙄
That is one of the best gifs I've ever seen. Also hits home. My mother used to buy those patterns all the time
I love T. Rex. My only beef is that this is just about the only song of theirs that we ever hear, anywhere, even here. They have so many other good songs -- I've heard this one so much I'd rather hear anything else of theirs.
Oh, that low spark of high-heeled boys.  
Fifty years plus and it still rocks and back then it broke ground as glam rock👍
Gang a Bong (Get it On)   
 jtherieau wrote:


This GIF is, for me, EXACTLY in synch with the song! nice...
Great Tune! Iconic! Brings back a lot of memories! Even better now in FLAC W/ great studio phones, amp & DAC!! Thanx RP!  
One of the very first 45's I ever bought! Still love it!!
 jtherieau wrote:


I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!!
 kcar wrote:

Deep Purple's "Hush" was brilliant. I don't think I've ever heard the "Kentucky Woman."


Good cover of the Neil Diamond original.
From Wiki:
Another well-known version is the 1968 recording by Deep Purple. The group's cover had vastly different instrumental feel, if not vocal line. It was their second single release in 1968. It managed to reach #38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Deep Purple played "Kentucky Woman" live on tour in 1968 and 1969, even after Ian Gillan joined the band in the summer of 1969. It has never been on Deep Purple's set list since. The song was also featured in Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
(and yes, this is off topic from T Rex)
 talexb wrote:

Another classic from the 70's, played on my cheap stereo while listening to CHOM-FM in the Banlieu Ouest de Montreal. Quatre Vingt Deux, Virgule Cinq (92.5) with Doug Pringle and the Pringle Program. So good. Fond memories.



I remember that too. Also their "pop up" concert at Pierrefonds hockey arena. I think that's where it was, not positive, even though I was there.

 cc_rider wrote:
 
 I love the last little bit "Meanwhile, I'm still thinkin'"
Nice nod to Chuck Berry.
c.


A segue into "Come Together" would be rather cool...
Deep Purple's "Hush" was brilliant. I don't think I've ever heard the "Kentucky Woman."
CHOM rocked Worked there (no $) did you? Live Earl Jive was #1
 vandal wrote:


One of the best lines, ever... "You're dirty sweet and you're my girl" 
 I love the last little bit "Meanwhile, I'm still thinkin'"
Nice nod to Chuck Berry.
c.
 talexb wrote:
Another classic from the 70's, played on my cheap stereo while listening to CHOM-FM in the Banlieu Ouest de Montreal. Quatre Vingt Deux, Virgule Cinq (92.5) with Doug Pringle and the Pringle Program. So good. Fond memories.
 

Legendary station. I was too young to have a stereo but I had a cheap ass transistor radio.
 jtherieau wrote:
 
Who's the no-fun who didn't like this?
I was an 8th grade girl and didn't have the moves but this tune was incredible....enjoyed the album, Marc Bolan and crew!
Another classic from the 70's, played on my cheap stereo while listening to CHOM-FM in the Banlieu Ouest de Montreal. Quatre Vingt Deux, Virgule Cinq (92.5) with Doug Pringle and the Pringle Program. So good. Fond memories.


One of the best lines, ever... "You're dirty, sweet, and you're my girl" 
 jtherieau wrote:
 
She's in strict time 
Classic glam Rock n’ Roll 8/10. Good job boys.
I saw these guys as a headliner in Chicago in 1972.  Uriah Heep was the intro band.  T-Rex got booed off the stage after Uriah Heep's performance.  I think people just weren't ready for Glam Rock in Chicago.  
Hey Bill, will/do you ever play the Power Station remake of this song?  Just curious.  
Moved 8 to 10. Just might be my all time favorite song.
Thanks RP for playing this gem from 1972, just love that groove!
Congratulations, y'all. Hall of Famers. Well deserved.
I just wish Marc were still around for the induction.
Love this song 9
Who needs TV
You're dirty and sweet, oh yeah.

What an amazing lyric I’m 40+ now and it still makes me feel like a 16 year old.

Hubcap diamond star halo... gotta be one of the best moments pen touched paper... then music decoration!!
Straight up karaoke fodder now. But I still give it a 9.
In meiner Jugend war es uncool, auf T.Rex zu stehen. Galt als Mädchenband, weil Bolan so gut aussah. Aber die Dinge ändern sich: Most of T.Rex is cool now!
 Tomasni wrote:
Long Live   Radio Paradise        
Rating to me is 8 - Most Excellent   considering 9
 
Up your vote!  This one is pure pop 9ness....Long Live RP!!
Never heard better pop song. Peharps one of the Beatles ...
 dandueck07 wrote:
I attended a T.Rex concert in the Great White North (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) in 1973/74ish (it was all an "ish" in those days.  Blue Oyster Cult was the main back-up band, and rocked the Field House!  T.Rex came out and instantly sounded like a wild cat trapped in a metal garbage can.  They were very loud and very out of sync.  Almost half the crowd left (as polite Canadians tend to do), but the remaining stragglers booed and threw a few things at the stage after each screeching rendition.  Then came the coup de gras, that is forever etched in my mind.
Marc Bolan took the mic and spoke to the half-crowd, "C'mon Edmonton!  Give us a break.  Even us superstars are human, sometimes."  
Much as I like "Bang A Gong", I can never get past the arrogance of the cocky lead singer, who seemed to think he was a superstar.  Was he that "out of it" that he didn't know the true "superstars" never played in Edmonton in those days?
 
I remember the show from that tour just down the road in Calgary... I don't think my T Rex albums ever came out of their covers after that. 
 djengs wrote:
Good memories. There was a new cute girl that moved into an apartment down the street who seemed interested in me. She invited me over to her place- it was summer, her single mother had to work- so I had some high hopes as a soon to be 8th grader, she just finishing 8th (older woman!). She also had a younger brother who knew what we were thinking and would not leave, no matter what. We would listen to the radio and try to invent reasons for him to go somewhere, go find a friend, anything, even though they were banned from going anywhere until mom got home. Still, she moved so well to this song...anyway, eventually he squealed and I could not come over any more. I learned a lot about sexual tension that summer. 

Of course I never had a chance once school started- she went into high school and could not be seen with a kid from junior high. I guess I learned a few things about social order as well. The realization she wasn't so much attracted to me as she was bored and isolated came later.
 

Thumbs up, great story!
Was the band's, Marc Bolan  related to the late,great guitar player, Tommy Bolan?  

Don't let your mind go post toasties....
Someone has got to mention the Phlorescent Leech (Flo) & Eddie as backing vocs.
Wow, its been a long time since I heard this one.  Brings back lots of memories.
Got to give this a 10. One of my favorite songs when growing up. Infectious. Nothing else by T Rex comes close.
 dandueck07 wrote:
….Was he that "out of it" that he didn't know the true "superstars" never played in Edmonton in those days?
 
I think he was "out of it" ISH!!  

I've always liked this one, esp. with my little fix-a-roo to "Gang a Bong" ...Long Live RP!!
 dandueck07 wrote:
I attended a T.Rex concert in the Great White North (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) in 1973/74ish (it was all an "ish" in those days.  Blue Oyster Cult was the main back-up band, and rocked the Field House!  T.Rex came out and instantly sounded like a wild cat trapped in a metal garbage can.  They were very loud and very out of sync.  Almost half the crowd left (as polite Canadians tend to do), but the remaining stragglers booed and threw a few things at the stage after each screeching rendition.  Then came the coup de gras, that is forever etched in my mind.
Marc Bolan took the mic and spoke to the half-crowd, "C'mon Edmonton!  Give us a break.  Even us superstars are human, sometimes."  
Much as I like "Bang A Gong", I can never get past the arrogance of the cocky lead singer, who seemed to think he was a superstar.  Was he that "out of it" that he didn't know the true "superstars" never played in Edmonton in those days?
 

Great story. Half the fun of rock 'n roll all these decades has been taking the piss out of moronic rockers. So many; so many ops! 
Yeah Bill! Totally heard Marc Bolan in that Wilco tune.
Nice!
I attended a T.Rex concert in the Great White North (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) in 1973/74ish (it was all an "ish" in those days.  Blue Oyster Cult was the main back-up band, and rocked the Field House!  T.Rex came out and instantly sounded like a wild cat trapped in a metal garbage can.  They were very loud and very out of sync.  Almost half the crowd left (as polite Canadians tend to do), but the remaining stragglers booed and threw a few things at the stage after each screeching rendition.  Then came the coup de gras, that is forever etched in my mind.
Marc Bolan took the mic and spoke to the half-crowd, "C'mon Edmonton!  Give us a break.  Even us superstars are human, sometimes."  
Much as I like "Bang A Gong", I can never get past the arrogance of the cocky lead singer, who seemed to think he was a superstar.  Was he that "out of it" that he didn't know the true "superstars" never played in Edmonton in those days?
pure class
 mcYammer wrote:
C'mon!!! A hubcap diamond star halo!?!?
unbeatable

 
I think she's a Transformer.
Dirty and sweet!
Sometimes you just gotta have it PRIMITIVE!
 1wolfy wrote:
 ....sounds like she moved in mysterious ways.  Cool story. thanks for sharing..I can relate  djengs wrote:
Good memories. There was a new cute girl that moved into an apartment down the street who seemed interested in me. She invited me over to her place- it was summer, her single mother had to work- so I had some high hopes as a soon to be 8th grader, she just finishing 8th (older woman!). She also had a younger brother who knew what we were thinking and would not leave, no matter what. We would listen to the radio and try to invent reasons for him to go somewhere, go find a friend, anything, even though they were banned from going anywhere until mom got home. Still, she moved so well to this song...anyway, eventually he squealed and I could not come over any more. I learned a lot about sexual tension that summer. 

Of course I never had a chance once school started- she went into high school and could not be seen with a kid from junior high. I guess I learned a few things about social order as well. The realization she wasn't so much attracted to me as she was bored and isolated came later.

 

 
me too. i'd still seek out that little brother and give him his long due wedgy.
 ....sounds like she moved in mysterious ways.  Cool story. thanks for sharing..I can relate  djengs wrote:
Good memories. There was a new cute girl that moved into an apartment down the street who seemed interested in me. She invited me over to her place- it was summer, her single mother had to work- so I had some high hopes as a soon to be 8th grader, she just finishing 8th (older woman!). She also had a younger brother who knew what we were thinking and would not leave, no matter what. We would listen to the radio and try to invent reasons for him to go somewhere, go find a friend, anything, even though they were banned from going anywhere until mom got home. Still, she moved so well to this song...anyway, eventually he squealed and I could not come over any more. I learned a lot about sexual tension that summer. 

Of course I never had a chance once school started- she went into high school and could not be seen with a kid from junior high. I guess I learned a few things about social order as well. The realization she wasn't so much attracted to me as she was bored and isolated came later.

 


C'mon!!! A hubcap diamond star halo!?!?
unbeatable
 {#Bananajam}Broken_Ear wrote:
{#Dancingbanana}{#Jump}{#Guitarist}{#Kiss}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana} hell yeah...

 


 djengs wrote:
Good memories. There was a new cute girl that moved into an apartment down the street who seemed interested in me. She invited me over to her place- it was summer, her single mother had to work- so I had some high hopes as a soon to be 8th grader, she just finishing 8th (older woman!). She also had a younger brother who knew what we were thinking and would not leave, no matter what. We would listen to the radio and try to invent reasons for him to go somewhere, go find a friend, anything, even though they were banned from going anywhere until mom got home. Still, she moved so well to this song...anyway, eventually he squealed and I could not come over any more. I learned a lot about sexual tension that summer. 

Of course I never had a chance once school started- she went into high school and could not be seen with a kid from junior high. I guess I learned a few things about social order as well. The realization she wasn't so much attracted to me as she was bored and isolated came later.

 
Bummer. Thanks for the great story, though. It's chock full of life lessons. 
so greasy!
Good memories. There was a new cute girl that moved into an apartment down the street who seemed interested in me. She invited me over to her place- it was summer, her single mother had to work- so I had some high hopes as a soon to be 8th grader, she just finishing 8th (older woman!). She also had a younger brother who knew what we were thinking and would not leave, no matter what. We would listen to the radio and try to invent reasons for him to go somewhere, go find a friend, anything, even though they were banned from going anywhere until mom got home. Still, she moved so well to this song...anyway, eventually he squealed and I could not come over any more. I learned a lot about sexual tension that summer. 

Of course I never had a chance once school started- she went into high school and could not be seen with a kid from junior high. I guess I learned a few things about social order as well. The realization she wasn't so much attracted to me as she was bored and isolated came later.
Glam Rock pioneer.
absolutely right
This song has aged perfectly. Timeless.
Only topped by Hot Love. 
Wow!  Great tune.
{#Dancingbanana}{#Jump}{#Guitarist}{#Kiss}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana} hell yeah...
I rate it 9! And that's not one of my favourite tracks of T Rex! 
More Marc Bolann please! 
stop ... what ... ever ... I ... was ... do ... ing ...
They were Brit's OK: 'Take a chaance, daance and romaance...'
A classic 10 !
c'mon children
it's time to shake a tail feather{#Cool} 
I remember reading that he wanted to work on his guitar playing and just get better. Huge loss. Electric Warrior, Slider, and Tanx was a good run. And he should be in the Hall of Fame.

mintra wrote:
I saw him at the motorway service sation in Sandbach a couple of weeks before he died - , however I think I would have been happier to see him playing live.   One wonders what he would have done if he had still been around.

 

I think maybe Prince might have learnt a thing or two from this guy.
yeah bang a gong - nice weekend and merry christmas to all of you
I saw him at the motorway service sation in Sandbach a couple of weeks before he died - , however I think I would have been happier to see him playing live.   One wonders what he would have done if he had still been around.
 Poacher wrote:


Still missed

 
We really need to get Deborah, Metal Guru and 20th Century Boy up and going here at Radio Paradise!
The music of T-Rex was put in a magnific context in the film "Billy Elliot". Makes you smile, dance and cry all in one. And leaves you in a very good mood!!
Those were the days {#Bananajumprope} turned it on sooo often
When I'm sad, I slide  {#Cry}
Great song ... there is something magical about almost everything this band put out.
 skyguy wrote:
Daunce take a chaunce!

 
yeah, this little part always makes me smile...
"way back machine"
Junior High School, at any party or gathering of friends, this one was high up in the mix. One of my all-time favorites, and always will be. 10+ from here. 
poetic Genius
Just can't help tapping your foot to this...


{#Hug}


Still missed
I can't decide between "8 - Most Excellent" and "9 - Outstanding"

Regardless, this song is &^$%$#'ng awesome. 
Hell of a set, this is why I love this station.
Daunce take a chaunce!
My favorite part:  when the backup singers stop singing the chorus near the end ... except the one guy who doesn't.
it's really great to hear T.Rex here. Both Electric Warrior and Slider albums are totally great!
 Gregorama wrote:
I uploaded 20th Century Boy and the Slider and they got the thumbs down from BIll. Maybe he'd reconsider if more folks asked him nicely. More T-Rex!
 
C'mon Bill. Lay a little "Lean Woman Blues" on the listeners. Thanks for including this album on the playlist but there are many more RP worthy tracks...keep mining the vinyl. 
In November of 1971, I was driving up the 15 towards Las Vegas with my girlfriend, and a couple of other friends following her older sister and husband.
We were headed to Brian Head, Utah for a long weekend of skiing.
My first time skiing.

It was getting late and we were listening to glorious AM radio from Las Vegas and this song came on.

I ended up spraining my ankle so bad they thought I broke it.
It still was a fun trip overall.

So every time I hear this song it reminds me of that trip.

I saw my old girlfriends sister a few years back, and she brought up that ski trip and thought I hated it because I also got a speeding ticket along with that nasty ankle injury.
I told her I remembered the good stuff and forgot about the not so good stuff.

Especially the music..
 rabbi_phil wrote:
" hey honey...i dont want to drive....you drive.....ok?
 

Not funny. I happened to be passing Golders Green crematorium in London and saw a funeral procession go by. There was a floral tribute in the shape of a guitar and I realized it was Marc Bolan. Particular significance for me as a kid I used to see him play acoustic guitar at the London Roundhouse circa '68/'69 as Tyrannosaurus Rex. RIP Marc.
I like The Turtles guys on backing vocals of many T.Rex
 rabbi_phil wrote:
" hey honey...i dont want to drive....you drive.....ok?
 
Ouch.
" hey honey...i dont want to drive....you drive.....ok?
Love the cover. The album cover. The cover of the album.
Glam, Bam, thank you man!
Gregorama wrote:
I uploaded 20th Century Boy and the Slider and they got the thumbs down from BIll. Maybe he'd reconsider if more folks asked him nicely. More T-Rex!
Only 3 songs that rock per day!!!!!
T-Rex has the distinction of having put on the absolutely worst concert I saw back in my misspent youth. Arlington, TX in 1972, I think.
I uploaded 20th Century Boy and the Slider and they got the thumbs down from BIll. Maybe he'd reconsider if more folks asked him nicely. More T-Rex!
I understand this choice entirely. Coming on the heels of Morphine's Buena, it hits you upside the head. I actually laughed out loud when this started. It sounds great, but the transition was a thing of beauty.