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John's Children ( May 24 1967) Desdemona - 7" Single UK

  • Writer: Marc Bolan
    Marc Bolan
  • May 24, 1967
  • 2 min read

A raw, controversial psychedelic pop single written by a young Marc Bolan during his brief time with the band — infamous for its BBC ban and cult status in the pre-glam underground scene.

ELEASE DETAILS

Date: 24 May 1967

Catalogue: 604003

Format: 7" Single

Country: United Kingdom

Label: Track Records

A-Side: Desdemona

B-Side: Remember Thomas À Becket


PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Front sleeve: Black & white band photo with a striking image of a woman in the foreground

  • Consistent mod/psychedelic 1967 visual style

THE STORY

Released on 24 May 1967, “Desdemona” was the third single by English mod/psychedelic band John’s Children. Written by Marc Bolan (who joined the band for a short period and played on the track), the song features provocative lyrics that led to it being banned by the BBC. Despite the controversy, it became a cult favourite and achieved minor success in parts of Europe.

WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS

Front cover features a dramatic black and white photograph of the band with a woman’s face in the foreground. Track Records logo and catalogue number 604003. Labels show standard Track Records design with “Essex Music” publishing credits and 1967 date.

CONTEXT & NOTES

The single captures the wild, rebellious energy of the late 1960s London underground scene. The BBC ban was due to the suggestive line “lift up your skirt and fly.” The B-side “Remember Thomas À Becket” was written by band members Andy Ellison and Chris Hewlett. This release marked one of Bolan’s earliest major contributions before forming T. Rex.

TRACK LIST

UK 7" Single

A. Desdemona – 3:??

B. Remember Thomas À Becket – 3:??

CHART PERFORMANCE

Did not chart in the UK due to BBC ban. Minor hit in parts of Europe.


PERSONNEL

  • Andy Ellison – vocals

  • Marc Bolan – guitar, composition (A-side)

  • Chris Townson, Geoff McClelland – instruments

  • Simon Napier-Bell – production



All Variants

  • 7" Commercial Single (UK Track – 604003)

  • 7" Single (Australia – International Polydor NH-59094)

  • 7" Single (Germany – Polydor 59 104)

  • 7" Promo (Germany – Polydor 59 104)

  • 7" Reissue (Germany – Polydor 59 104)

  • 7" Unofficial Reissue (Germany 2005 – International (4) 59104)

  • 7" Single (Japan – Polydor DP-1560, titled Desdemona = デスデモナ)

RELATED MATERIAL

  • Smashed Blocked (October 1966)

  • Just What You Want – Just What You'll Get (February 1967)

Next Single: Come and Play with Me in the Garden (July 1967)

SOURCES

Discogs • 45cat • BBC Official Charts • Wikipedia

COPYRIGHT NOTICE All single artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied


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