🔘 SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION – Single: Feb. 1973

Label: EMI / T.Rex Wax Co. – EMI 2012

Date: December 1, 1972

Tracklist: 2 tracks

Length: Approx. 8–10 min read

A glam‑era rocket powering through the 1972 Christmas charts, “Solid Gold Easy Action” captures Marc Bolan at his most electric — a fuzz‑soaked burst of swagger released at the height of T.Rexmania.

🔘 – Sub‑Heading

A glitter‑charged non‑album single built for the festive chart battle.

🔘 – Excerpt

Released on December 1, 1972, “Solid Gold Easy Action” arrived during T.Rex’s imperial phase — a period where Marc Bolan could launch a single into the UK Top 10 with seemingly effortless swagger. The track delivered Bolan’s trademark glam‑strut: fuzzed‑out guitars, swaggering vocals, and a hook engineered for the Christmas charts.

🔘 – Key Highlights

• Released December 1, 1972

• Peaked at No. 2 on January 6, 1973

• 11‑week UK chart run

• Non‑album single between Children of the Revolution and 20th Century Boy

• Issued on EMI / T.Rex Wax Co.

🔘 – Overview

Released on December 1, 1972, “Solid Gold Easy Action” arrived during T.Rex’s imperial phase — a period where Marc Bolan could launch a single into the UK Top 10 with seemingly effortless swagger. Issued as a standalone 7‑inch on EMI/T.Rex Wax Co., the track delivered Bolan’s trademark glam‑strut: fuzzed‑out guitars, swaggering vocals, and a hook that felt built for the festive chart battle.

The single entered the Official Singles Chart at No. 8 for the week of December 9–15, 1972, rising to No. 3 on December 17, 1972, and ultimately peaking at No. 2 on January 6, 1973. It remained on the chart for 11 weeks, completing its run on February 17, 1973.

Released between “Children of the Revolution” and “20th Century Boy,” the track stands as one of Bolan’s most recognisable non‑album singles — a glam‑rock flashpoint just before the heavier, funk‑leaning direction of Tanx.

🔘 – The Story

“Solid Gold Easy Action” emerged at a moment when Marc Bolan was still riding the crest of T.Rexmania, with each new single treated as a major pop event. The song’s explosive guitar riff, stomping rhythm, and swaggering vocal delivery made it an instant contender in the fiercely competitive 1972 Christmas chart season.

The track’s release between The Slider and Tanx places it at a pivotal moment in Bolan’s evolution — still rooted in glitter‑drenched glam, but hinting at the denser, funk‑infused textures he would explore in 1973. Its B‑side, “Born to Boogie,” reinforced Bolan’s rock ’n’ roll credentials and tied into the film of the same name released earlier that year.

Internationally, the single appeared in multiple picture sleeves, reflecting T.Rex’s global popularity. Though it never reached No. 1, its No. 2 peak and long chart run cemented it as one of Bolan’s defining standalone singles.

🔘 – Track List

UK 7" Single — EMI / T.Rex Wax Co. — 1972

A. Solid Gold Easy Action — 2:21

B. Born to Boogie — 2:15

🔘 – Variants (UK)

• UK 7" Single — EMI / T.Rex Wax Co. — 45 RPM — 1972

• UK Promo — EMI — 7", 45 RPM — 1972

• German 7" — Ariola — 1972

• French 7" — EMI — 1972

🔘 – Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

08 — December 9, 1972

03 — December 17, 1972

02 — January 6, 1973 (Peak)

05 — January 13, 1973

10 — January 20, 1973

18 — January 27, 1973

27 — February 3, 1973

36 — February 10, 1973

47 — February 17, 1973 (Final Week)

Total Weeks: 11

🔘 – Context & Notes

• Written and produced by Marc Bolan

• Released as a standalone single between The Slider and Tanx

• Trademark Owner: T.Rex Wax Co. / EMI

• Published by Wizard (Bolan’s publishing company)

• Released in multiple international picture sleeves

• A key glam‑rock single during the competitive Christmas chart season

• Considered one of Bolan’s most iconic non‑album tracks

🔘 – Visual Archive

T.Rex — “Solid Gold Easy Action” — UK EMI 2012 (1972).

🔘 – Related Material

• The Slider (1972)

• “Children of the Revolution” (1972)

• Tanx (1973)

🔘 – Discography

The Slider — 1972

Solid Gold Easy Action — 1972

Tanx — 1973

🔘 – Mini‑Timeline

✦ December 1, 1972 — Single released in the UK

✦ December 9, 1972 — Enters chart at No. 8

✦ December 17, 1972 — Climbs to No. 3

✦ January 6, 1973 — Peaks at No. 2

✦ February 17, 1973 — Final chart week (11 weeks total)

🔘 – Glam Flashback

“Solid Gold Easy Action” is Bolan at full glam‑rock voltage — a fuzz‑soaked, hip‑shaking burst of attitude that dominated the winter charts. It’s the sound of T.Rex at their most confident, strutting through the final months of 1972 with a single built for glitter, volume, and chart‑topping swagger.

🔘 – Closing Notes

A defining non‑album single, “Solid Gold Easy Action” captures T.Rex at their commercial and creative peak — a glam‑rock anthem that bridged the gap between The Slider and the evolving textures of Tanx.

#ReleaseChronicle #TRex #MarcBolan #SolidGoldEasyAction #GlamRock #1972 #1973 #OfficialCharts

🔘 – Sources

• Discogs

• Official Charts Company

• EMI Records

• Wikipedia

🔘 – Copyright Notice

All original text and images remain the copyright of their respective publishers and creators.

This Chronicle 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.