He quit Faces in 1973 and formed his own band, Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance, in 1973 to record the hit single "How Come" (UK No. 11) and "The Poacher", then the album Anymore For Anymore, showcasing his own blend of British rock music, folk, and country music.
After initial success with the singles, he commenced a tour called "the Passing Show", touring the UK as a carnival, complete with tents, barkers, etc. Viv Stanshall, from the The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, was a short-lived ringmaster (of sorts).
Lane moved to Island Records and issued Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance and One For The Road. In late 1976, he joined a short-lived reformation of the Small Faces, but quit after two rehearsals, to be replaced by Rick Wills (who currently plays alongside the former Small Faces drummer, Kenney Jones, in the Jones Gang). However, since Lane had already signed a contract with Atlantic Records as part of the reformed Small Faces, Atlantic informed him that he owed them an album. Pete Townshend recorded an album with Lane, titled Rough Mix, which was released in 1977. Rough Mix was lauded as contender for best album of the year by many critics, but the label did not promote it, and sales were thereby lacklustre. Rough Mix not only left Lane out of debt to the label, but it cemented his credentials as an unsung hero.[citation needed]
During the recording of Rough Mix, Lane was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (his mother had also suffered, and died, from the disease). Nonetheless, he toured, wrote, and recorded (with Eric Clapton, among many others) and managed to release yet another album, See Me, which features several songs written by Lane and Clapton.
In 1983, his girlfriend, Boo Oldfield, contacted record producer Glyn Johns in the hopes of getting a concert going to help fund Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis, a London-based organization. Johns was already arranging Clapton's Command Performance for Prince Charles, so they decided to book the Albert Hall for another couple of nights and hold a benefit. The resulting A.R.M.S. Concerts featured Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Kenney Jones, Andy Fairweather-Low, and more. With the addition of Joe Cocker and Paul Rodgers, they toured the U.S. It was during this time that Rodgers and Page started the band, The Firm.
Move to Texas
Lane moved to Texas in 1984, where the climate was more beneficial to his health, and continued playing, writing, and recording. He formed an American version of Slim Chance, which was, as always, a loose-knit conglomeration of available musicians. For much of the time, membership included Alejandro Escovedo. For close to a decade, Lane enjoyed his rock royalty status in the Austin area, and even toured Japan. Still, his health continued to decline, and his last performance was in 1992 at a Ron Wood gig. Also in the band that night was Ian McLagan. In 1994, Ronnie and his last wife, Susan, moved to the small town of Trinidad, Colorado. Jimmy Page and Rod Stewart generously continued to donate money for his medical care because there were yet no royalties from Small Faces' work. Through the efforts of Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan, the Small Faces were eventually able to secure ongoing royalty payments. By then, however, Steve Marriott had died in a house fire, and on June 4, 1997, Lane had succumbed to pneumonia.
In 2000, Paul Weller recorded "He's the Keeper", a song dedicated to Lane's memory. An album of live BBC recordings was about to be released to raise money for his care when Lane died. An album of live and in-studio recordings from Lane's Austin days was later culled, and released as Live in Austin. The place where he was born, Plaistow (in East London) named a street after him, fittingly called "Ronnie Lane", in 2001. In January, 2006, BBC Four debuted an extensive documentary about Lane, which had been in the works since 2000. They also aired vintage concerts by the Faces and Slim Chance. In October 2006 the documentary was also shown on BBC Two.
Annie
Ronnie Lane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See the world grow small, Annie
But when will it fall, Annie, when will it be
Winter has come, Annie
No friend in the sun, Annie
And when it's gone, Annie
Where shall we be?
All those colors have faded
When ol' Jack comes to call
Don't tell him no, tell him maybe
Oh now, Annie, may God bless us all
Oh yes Annie, God bless us all
Did the children they call, Annie?
Every leaf must fall, Annie
God bless us all, Annie
Where ever will be
The song "Annie" by Ronnie Lane is a poignant meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of change. The opening lines of the song, "Oh, look stand tall, Annie, see the world grow small, Annie, but when will it fall, Annie, when will it be" refer to the paradoxical nature of existence, where we have moments of feeling powerful and in control, only to be reminded of our small place in the vastness of the universe. The reference to the fall of the world speaks to the cyclical nature of time and how everything rises and eventually crumbles.
The next stanza, "Winter has come, Annie, no friend in the sun, Annie, and when it's gone, Annie, where shall we be?" explores the dark side of life, where everything is temporary and fleeting, and the inevitability of death. This line about "no friend in the sun" speaks to the reality of life's hardships, stress and suffering, where even when things are going well, we are never entirely free of suffering. The song speaks about the impermanence of our material possessions and how all our colors eventually fade.
The song ends with the lines, "Did the children they call, Annie? Every leaf must fall, Annie, God bless us all, Annie, where ever it will be." These lines remind us of the cyclical nature of life, where every generation that comes after us will have to face the same challenges and tribulations that we do. The song provides a powerful reminder to appreciate every moment of life and to cultivate a sense of gratitude for what we have.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, look stand tall, Annie
An invitation to Annie to be strong and confident in herself and her abilities.
See the world grow small, Annie
A reminder that Annie is an important part of the world and has the power to make a difference.
But when will it fall, Annie, when will it be
A questioning of the inevitability of change and asking when will that change come.
Winter has come, Annie
A metaphorical reference to Annie's life being in a season of difficulty and struggle.
No friend in the sun, Annie
Feeling isolated and alone, seeking support in a time of need.
And when it's gone, Annie
Where shall we be?
Questioning of the future when this current struggle is over and what will happen next.
All those colors have faded
Acknowledging the loss of vibrancy and excitement in life.
When ol' Jack comes to call
Don't tell him no, tell him maybe
Urging Annie not to give up hope and to be open to the possibilities the future holds.
Oh now, Annie, may God bless us all
Oh yes Annie, God bless us all
A prayer for hope and positivity in the future.
Did the children they call, Annie?
Every leaf must fall, Annie
God bless us all, Annie
Where ever will be
Reiterating the theme of hope and renewal in uncertain times.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON, KATIE MARY LAMBERT, RONNIE LANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SometimesInnocent
Old oaks stand tall, Annie
(they've) Seen the world grow small, Annie
But when they fall, Annie, where will we be?
Winter has come, Annie
No strength in the sun, Annie
And when it's gone, Annie
Where shall we be?
When all those colors have faded
When ol' Jack comes to call
Don't tell them no, tell them maybe
Oh now, Annie, may God bless us all
Oh yeah, Annie, God bless us all
Hear the children they call, Annie?
Every leaf must fall, Annie
God bless us all, Annie
Wherever we'll be.
@teddias4854
Old oaks stand tall, Annie
Seen the world grow small, Annie
But when they fall, Annie, where will we be?
Winter has come, Annie
No strength in the sun, Annie
And when it's gone, Annie
Where shall we be?
When all the colors have faded
When ol' Jack comes to call
Don't tell him no, tell him maybe
Oh now Annie, may God bless us all
Oh yeah Annie, God bless us all
Hear the children, they call, Annie
Every leaf must fall, Annie
God bless us all, Annie
Wherever we'll be
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
@alextapia2107
Old oaks stand tall, Annie
Seen the world grow small, Annie
But when they fall, Annie, where will we be
Winter has come, Annie
No strenght in the sun, Annie
And when it's gone, Annie
Where shall we be?
When all those colors have faded
When ol' Jack comes to call
Don't tell them no, tell them maybe
Oh now, Annie, may God bless us all
Oh yeah, Annie, God bless us all
Hear the children they call, Annie?
Every leaf must fall, Annie
God bless us all, Annie
Wherever will be
@alextapia2107
Old oaks stand tall, Annie
Seen the world grow small, Annie
But when they fall, Annie, where will we be
Winter has come, Annie
No strenght in the sun, Annie
And when it's gone, Annie
Where shall we be?
When all those colors have faded
When ol' Jack comes to call
Don't tell them no, tell them maybe
Oh now, Annie, may God bless us all
Oh yeah, Annie, God bless us all
Hear the children they call, Annie?
Every leaf must fall, Annie
God bless us all, Annie
Wherever will be
@kristlepickles
I have MS, as Ronnie Lane had. He's a hero to me. He kept going with the music as long as he could. 🎶❤
@douglasnorrie5925
I'm not religious, but god bless us all la
@petersagar3707
Take care Kristle....
@mikerhodes6906
Music like this doesn't exist anymore the world will never understand what they missed
@stephendaparma3303
🎯💯👍🏻🎼
@SALCHEE1
So true... sadly true.
@colinpatrick7470
I don't understand your comment. I am listening to this song. It exists! I think you meant there is no music like this being created and I agree. But it is always here for us and any new listeners to hear! I love Ronnie Lane!!
@stephendaparma3303
You know that’s right pal
@paulwhite564
One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written sung by a much missed and talented performer ronnie lane
@stephendaparma3303
💯🎯👍🏻🎼