Telegram Sam


"Telegram Sam" is a song written by Marc Bolan for the British rock group T. Rex, appearing on their 1972 album The Slider. The song was their third UK number one single, remaining at the top of the charts for two weeks before being knocked off the top by "Son of My Father" by Chicory Tip.
The lyrics feature numerous figures such as Bobby, Golden Nose Slim, Jungle Faced Jake and Purple Pie Pete. Despite their charms, the singer expresses his loyalty to his "main man", the titular Sam. It also contains these lines Marc Bolan wrote to refer to himself: Me I funk/but I don't care/I ain't no square/with my corkscrew hair, a line which industrial rock band KMFDM would borrow for their song "Me I Funk". The riff is similar in character to their massive hit from the previous year, "Get It On" but in the key of A rather than E. "Telegram Sam" was not as successful as "Get It On" worldwide, and it only peaked at number 67 in the Billboard Hot 100. Eventually, this was the band's last single charted in the US.
"Telegram Sam" was the first single to be issued by Marc Bolan's own T.Rex Wax Co. label, and was released on 21 January 1972. The b-side featured two songs in the UK, "Cadilac" and "Baby Strange", the latter also included in the album The Slider.
"Telegram Sam" was written by Bolan about his manager Tony Secunda who was his 'main man' in respect of him being Bolan's manager and narcotics supplier.
The single was recorded at the Rosenberg Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark in November 1971.
In 1980, it was covered by the gothic rock band Bauhaus as a single, which peaked at number 12 in New Zealand. It was also covered by the Croatian punk-rock band Psihomodo Pop.

Personnel

Chart Peak
position
Australia 20
Canadian RPM Top Singles66
France 27
Irish Singles Chart1
Italy 17

Chart Peak
position

Bauhaus version

"Telegram Sam" is the fourth single released by British gothic rock band Bauhaus. It was released in 7" and 12" format, the latter featuring a cover of John Cale's "Rosegarden Funeral of Sores" as an extra track.

Track listings

;7"
Side A:
  1. "Telegram Sam" - 2:08
Side B:
  1. "Crowds" - 3:13
;12"
Side A:
  1. "Telegram Sam" - 2:08
Side B:
  1. "Rosegarden Funeral of Sores" - 5:31
  2. "Crowds" - 3:13

    Song appearances