"Whatever Happened to the Teenage Dream?" is a 1973-themed box set release by T. Rex, focusing on the period when Marc Bolan was evolving his music style. This collection includes the albums Tanx and Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow , along with hit singles like "Children of the Revolution," "Solid Gold Easy Action," "20th Century Boy," and "The Groover," plus demos and outtakes. The set highlights Bolan's initial experiments with soul music and features a detailed essay on his life during this era
. The phrase "Whatever Happened to the Teenage Dream?" also relates to a 1974 single by Marc Bolan and T. Rex titled "Teenage Dream," which appeared on the album Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of Tomorrow. The song is noted for its melodramatic and theatrical style, reflecting Bolan's state of mind at the time. It was co-produced by Tony Visconti and featured notable musicians like Lonnie Jordan on piano. Although the song received mixed reviews, Bolan considered it his best lyric, and it remains a significant part of his legacy
. In summary, "Whatever Happened to the Teenage Dream?" refers both to a retrospective box set capturing a pivotal year in T. Rex's career and to a key single from that period that encapsulates Bolan's artistic transition and personal struggles. The box set was released in 2023 with multiple formats, including a 5LP orange vinyl edition, and serves as a comprehensive document of Bolan's work and challenges in 1973
