Mike Dibble

Hot Love was T. Rex’s first UK No. 1 single and the spark that ignited the glam‑rock explosion. 🔘 – Overview Released in the UK on February 19, 1971, “Hot Love” marked a seismic turning point in Marc Bolan’s career. Issued on Fly Records (BUG 6), the single became T. Rex’s first UK No. 1, launching the band — and Bolan himself — into full‑blown superstardom. The track’s success helped define the emerging glam‑rock movement, with Bolan’s glitter‑dusted Top of the Pops performance becoming one of the genre’s foundational moments. Produced by Tony Visconti, “Hot Love” expanded the duo‑era T. Rex sound into a fuller, more electric arrangement, foreshadowing the sonic direction of Electric Warrior later that year. The B‑sides — “Woodland Rock” and “The King of the Mountain Cometh” — showcased Bolan’s growing confidence as a songwriter, blending rock ’n’ roll swagger with mystical lyricism. The single entered the Official Singles Chart on February 27, 1971, climbing rapidly to No. 1, where it remained for six consecutive weeks. It charted for 17 weeks in total, becoming one of the defining UK singles of the early 1970s. 🔘 – Track List UK 7" Single — Fly Records – BUG 6 — 1971 Side A Hot Love Written‑By: Marc Bolan Produced by Tony Visconti Side B1 Woodland Rock Written‑By: Marc Bolan Produced by Tony Visconti Side B2 The King of the Mountain Cometh Written‑By: Marc Bolan Produced by Tony Visconti 🔘 – Variants 7", 45 RPM, Single, Brown Labels, Solid Centre — Fly – BUG 6 — UK — 1971 7", 45 RPM, Single, Brown Labels, 4‑Prong Centre — Fly – BUG 6 — UK — 1971 7", 45 RPM, Single, Black Labels, Solid Centre (Repress) — Fly – BUG 6 — UK — 1971 7", 45 RPM, Single, Black Labels, 4‑Prong Centre (Repress) — Fly – BUG 6 — UK — 1971 7", 45 RPM, Single, Black Labels, Large Centre (Repress) — Fly – BUG 6 — UK — 1971 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered — Fly/Universal – 1744373 — UK — 2007 🔘 – Chart Performance UK — Official Singles Chart Peak No. 1 · 17 Weeks on Chart (1971) Pos 31 — Feb 27, 1971 Pos 17 ↑ — Mar 6, 1971 Pos 07 ↑ — Mar 13, 1971 Pos 01 ↑ — Mar 20, 1971 Pos 01 ← — Mar 27, 1971 Pos 01 ← — Apr 3, 1971 Pos 01 ← — Apr 10, 1971 Pos 01 ← — Apr 17, 1971 Pos 01 ← — Apr 24, 1971 Pos 02 ↓ — May 1, 1971 Pos 06 ↓ — May 8, 1971 Pos 09 ↓ — May 15, 1971 Pos 17 ↓ — May 22, 1971 Pos 21 ↓ — May 29, 1971 Pos 31 ↓ — Jun 5, 1971 Pos 34 ↓ — Jun 12, 1971 Pos 48 ↓ — Jun 19, 1971 (Final Week) 🔘 – Context & Notes • Produced by Tony Visconti for Straight Ahead Productions • Written by Marc Bolan • First pressing features mustard‑coloured labels • Later pressings feature Fly Records logo • Published by Essex Music International Ltd. • ℗ 1971 Fly Records • One of the most important singles in the rise of glam rock • Bolan’s glitter‑cheeked TOTP performance became iconic