Telegram Sam

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“Telegram Sam”
Single by T. Rex
Released	1972
Format	7" single
Recorded	1971
Genre	Glam rock
Length	3:45
Label	Fly (UK); Reprise (US)
Writer(s)	Marc Bolan
Producer	Tony Visconti
T. Rex singles chronology
Get It On (1971) Telegram Sam' (1972) Jeepster (1972)

Telegram Sam was the third UK number one single for the British rock group T. Rex. It also appeared on their 1972 album The Slider.

Perhaps best known for bringing the term "mainman" into popular culture, it was number one for two weeks, before being knocked off the top by "Son of My Father" by Chicory Tip (which also kept "American Pie" by Don McLean from reaching #1).

The lyrics feature numerous figures such as Bobby (who's a natural born poet who's just outta sight), Golden Nose Slim (who knows where you been), Jungle Faced Jake (make no mistake) and Purple Pie Pete. It also contains these lines Marc Bolan wrote to refer to himself: Me I funk / but I don't care/ I ain't no square / with my corkscrew hair, a line which industrial rock band KMFDM would borrow for their song, Me I Funk. The riff is similar in character to their massive hit from the previous year, "Get It On". It wasn't as successful as "Get It On" worldwide, and it only peaked at #67 in the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1980, it was covered by the gothic rock band Bauhaus as a single.

Preceded by "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony)" by The New Seekers

UK number one single February 1, 1972

Succeeded by "Son of my Father" by Chicory Tip