🔘 Truck On (Tyke) – Single: Nov. 2023 (UK Picture Disc – 50th Anniversary)

Released: November 11, 2023 (UK)

Label: Demon Records

Catalogue Number: DEMSING019

Released as a limited edition 7-inch picture disc in the UK on November 11, 2023, by Demon Records, T. Rex’s Truck On (Tyke) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the original 1973 single.

🔘 Archival Overview

Originally issued in December 1973, Truck On (Tyke) stands as one of Marc Bolan’s later glam-era singles, capturing the raw, swaggering sound of T. Rex’s transitional mid‑’70s period. The 2023 picture disc commemorates its 50th anniversary, continuing Demon Records’ extensive programme of T. Rex archival reissues and collector‑focused vinyl editions.

🔘 Track List

Side A

Truck On (Tyke)

Side B

(Track not listed / B-side not confirmed for this edition)

Produced by: Tony Visconti (original recording)

Written by: Marc Bolan

🔘 Release Details

Label: Demon Records

Format: 7-inch Vinyl Picture Disc, Limited Edition

Country: UK

Year: 2023

Notes:

- 50th Anniversary Edition

- Picture disc pressing

- Part of Demon’s ongoing T. Rex reissue campaign

- Limited edition release

🔘 Variants (Discogs‑Verified)

Variant 1

UK – Demon Records – DEMSING019 (2023)

Format: 7" Single, Picture Disc

Country: UK

Year: 2023

Notes:

- Only confirmed edition

- Standard Demon Records picture disc packaging

🔘 Context & Notes

Personnel (Original 1973 Recording)

Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar

Steve Currie — bass

Bill Legend — drums

Mickey Finn — percussion

Tony Visconti — production

Recording Notes

Truck On (Tyke) was recorded during a period of stylistic evolution for T. Rex, blending glam rock with funkier, more rhythm‑driven textures. The 2023 picture disc uses the original master recording, presented in a newly designed anniversary format.

Press Reception

Collectors praised the 2023 edition for its striking artwork and its role in marking the single’s 50th anniversary. As part of Demon’s well‑regarded T. Rex reissue line, it quickly became a desirable modern collectible.

Legacy

Though not as commercially dominant as T. Rex’s early‑’70s run, Truck On (Tyke) remains a cult favourite among Bolan fans. The 2023 picture disc adds a celebratory archival entry to its release history.

🔘 Related Material

Previous Release

Truck On (Tyke) – Original 1973 UK Single

Next Archival Release

Demon Records T. Rex reissues (2024–2025)

🔘 Discography (Selected, Chronological)

Truck On (Tyke) — 1973

Truck On (Tyke) (50th Anniversary Picture Disc) — 2023

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

1973 — Original single released

2010s–2020s — Demon Records reissue programme expands

Nov. 11, 2023 — 50th Anniversary picture disc released

🔘 Glam Flashback

A swaggering late‑glam gem — Bolan’s riff‑driven stomp returns in a bold picture‑disc celebration.

🔘 Closing Notes

A standout anniversary reissue, the 2023 picture disc of Truck On (Tyke) offers a vibrant, collectible tribute to one of T. Rex’s later glam‑era singles.

🔘 Sources

Discogs

Demon Records

T. Rex archival documentation

A Truck On Tyke 1973:

T.Rex’s “Truck On (Tyke)” was released as a 7-inch vinyl single with push-out and solid centre variants in the UK on November 16, 1973, on T.Rex (catalogue: MARC 6). Backed with “Sitting Here,” this glam-rock stomper and mellow B-side (both written by Marc Bolan and produced Tony Visconti), were issued as non-album tracks later added to Zinc Alloy reissues. It peaked at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart for 11 weeks. Issued in push-out/solid centres, and promo in company bag.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Truck On (Tyke)”

Written-By – Marc Bolan. Producer – Tony Visconti.

B-Side: “Sitting Here”

Written-By – Marc Bolan. Producer – Tony Visconti.

Release Details:

Label: T.Rex (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Record Company – EMI Records Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Wizard Artists Ltd.

Published By – Wizard Artists (Bahamas) Ltd.

UK Formats:

Vinyl, 7" Single

Push Out Center, “Made In Gt Britain” in outer rim text after “…copying of this record prohibited” (MARC 6)

A: “Truck On (Tyke)” – Written-By – Marc Bolan – Producer – Tony Visconti

B: “Sitting Here” – Written-By – Marc Bolan – Producer – Tony Visconti

Vinyl, 7" Single

Push Out Center, “Made in Gt Britain” at bottom under “T Rex” (MARC 6)

A: “Truck On (Tyke)” – Written-By – Marc Bolan – Producer – Tony Visconti

B: “Sitting Here” – Written-By – Marc Bolan – Producer – Tony Visconti

Vinyl, 7" Single, Promo

Demonstration Record Not For Sale, in company bag (MARC 6)

A: “Truck On (Tyke)” – Written-By – Marc Bolan – Producer – Tony Visconti

B: “Sitting Here” – Written-By – Marc Bolan – Producer – Tony Visconti

Release date on labels: 16.11.73. Made in Gt. Britain. ‘The Grammphon Co Ltd’ in rimtext. ℗ 1973.

UK (T.Rex MARC 6)

Released November 16, 1973. 7-inch (push-out/solid/promo).

Country Variations:

UK (T.Rex MARC 6)

Released November 16, 1973. 7-inch (push-out/solid/promo).

Australia (T.Rex 1973)

Austria (Ariola 1973)

Belgium (T.Rex 1973)

Denmark (T.Rex 1973)

Finland (T.Rex 1973)

France (CBS 1973)

Germany (Ariola 1973)

Ireland (T.Rex 1973)

Italy (T.Rex 1973)

New Zealand (T.Rex 1973)

Singapore (T.Rex 1973)

South Africa (T.Rex 1973)

Spain (Ariola 1973)

Sweden (T.Rex 1973)

Yugoslavia (T.Rex 1973)

Japan (T.Rex 1974)

UK (Edsel 2015)

UK (Demon 2023)

Production and Context

Written/produced by Marc Bolan & Tony Visconti. Neither track on original T.Rex studio album; both added as bonus on Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow re-releases. A-side a high-energy glam anthem, B-side a laid-back groove. Released via EMI’s T.Rex imprint.

Chart Performance:

UK: No. 12 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 11 weeks.

Entry Date: November 24, 1973.

Peak: No. 12 (December 22 & 29, 1973).

Weeks on Chart: 11 (Nov 24, 1973 – Feb 2, 1974).

Chart Run: No. 38 (Nov 24), No. 20 (Dec 1), No. 13 (Dec 8), No. 14 (Dec 15), No. 12 (Dec 22), No. 12 (Dec 29), No. 15 (Jan 5), No. 18 (Jan 12), No. 22 (Jan 19), No. 32 (Jan 26), No. 48 (Feb 2).

Legacy and Collectibility

“Truck On (Tyke)” is a glam-rock engine rev, “Sitting Here” a chilled cruiser. Original UK 7-inch push-out vinyls fetch £5–£15 on eBay/Discogs, solid centre (£8–£20), promos (£25–£50). Verify catalogue MARC 6 and rimtext variations.

Streams on Spotify via Bolan compilations keep the tyres spinning.

This non-album gem is a must-have for T.Rex fans and ‘70s glam collectors.

Have you hitched a ride on this T.Rex truck? Does Sitting Here still feel like a lazy afternoon? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube.