Metal Guru

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Metal Guru" is a song by the British rock band T.Rex, written by Marc Bolan. It was the band's the fourth (and final) number one on the UK Singles Chart when it topped the chart for four weeks in May-June 1972.

Despite coming only ten months after the success of "Get It On", it failed to chart in the United States.

Bolan himself described the song's apparent religious references as this:

"Is a festival of life song. I relate 'Metal Guru' to all Gods around. I believe in a God, but I have no religion. With 'Metal Guru', it's like someone special, it must be a Godhead. I thought how God would be, he'd be all alone without a telephone. I don't answer the phone any more. I have codes where people ring me at certain times."

The song's distinctive rolling riff was imitated by not only The Smiths on their 1986 hit single "Panic" but also by Louis XIV on the song "A Letter To Dominique".

In 2005, rock band Rooney covered the song for the Herbie: Fully Loaded soundtrack.

Preceded by "Amazing Grace" by The Pipes & Drums & Military Band of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

UK number one single May 16, 1972

Succeeded by "Vincent" by Don McLean