: Most reviews highlight the song's "crunchy" and "majestical" guitar riff as its centerpiece. Critics from NME at the time of release called it the group's best since "Telegram Sam," noting its "thunder guitar" assault.
: Produced by Tony Visconti , the track captures Marc Bolan's transition into heavier, harder-rocking territory. Reviewers often describe the sound as "sensual," blending a bluesy undertone with "sticky" pop choruses. T.Rex - 20th Century boy
The song's enduring popularity is often credited to its frequent use in media: : Most reviews highlight the song's "crunchy" and
: It reached a new generation in 1991 when it hit #13 in the UK charts after being featured in a Brad Pitt Levi's commercial. It also appears in films like The Truman Show and The Purge: Election Year . Reviewers often describe the sound as "sensual," blending
: The song is the namesake for Naoki Urasawa’s famous manga series 20th Century Boys and inspired a character "Stand" in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure .
: It remains a staple of glam rock tributes, including a popular stage musical of the same name that celebrates Bolan's life and music.
: Not all contemporary reviews were glowing; Penny Valentine at Sounds felt the song showed Bolan was not pushing his musical capabilities as far as he could have. Some modern retrospectives also note that the song's most experimental moments are buried in its 30-second fadeout. Legacy and Cultural Impact