By late 1967, the band had felt constricted financially & creatively by manager Don Arden (father of Sharon Osbourne), and were lured by Rolling Stones' publicist Andrew Loog Oldham into signing with his new Immediate label. They soon recorded more expansive psychedelic sounding material including hit pop tunes like "Lazy Sunday" which was included with their UK number one classic concept album Ogdens Nut Gone Flake and "Itchycoo Park" which was their only stateside charting single.
The demise of the Small Faces arrived on New Years Eve 1968, when Steve Marriott walked off stage at The Alexandra Palace in London. Marriott felt that despite the success of the group, he was still not being taken seriously as a musician. He went on to achieve major status in the U.S.A with Peter Frampton in Humble Pie. The others continued as the Faces, opting to drop the "Small" after one LP as new recruits Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood towered above their new band mates. Drummer Kenney Jones later joined The Who after the death of their drummer Keith Moon. As years went on, Marriott kept recording various lineups as Humble Pie but became somewhat of a caricature and casualty of rock excess. Tragically, Steve Marriott died in a house fire in 1991 and Ronnie Lane followed him in 1997 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Keyboardist Ian McLagan has continued to tour and record with his own band as well as with artists like Billy Bragg, The New Barbarians ( a group composed of Ian, Ron Wood, Keith Richards, Stanley Clarke, and Billy Cobham), and The Rolling Stones. According to announcements at the shows on the New Barbarians tour, the proceeds of the live gigs were going to pay Ronnie Lane's medical expenses associated with Ronnie's struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.
The Small Faces remain one of British rock's most important legacy acts, with their membership having links to so many other acts. Amongst the many bands they influenced were The Jam, Ramones, Oasis and X.
There are a number of locations around London linked to the Small Faces, many to be found in the East End where they grew up.
The J60 Music bar in Manor Park, an instrument shop where Steve Marriott first met Ronnie Lane
http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/articl/4012.php
Little Ilford park, also located in Manor Park, inspired the track Itchycoo Park, Steve and other kids in the East End used to play in this park when they grew up.
http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/articl/4002.php
In 1968 the Small Faces recorded a video for their track Lazy Sunday, Steve sings in his native East end accent and the video was shot in the East End using Kenney Jones parents' flat in Havering Street. The video ends with a shot of the nearby Thames.
http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/articl/4014.php
You're Groovy
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A broken heart is this for real
There's still so much for me to do
And to know
And to be and to feel
If you think you're groovy
You don't even move me
If you dare to be true
In my dreams I dreamt for two
My dreams were real but where were you
And now my dreams have all been changed
Rearranged there's room for two
But not for you
If you think you're groovy
You don't even move me
There's no denying
If you dare to be true
Oh you made me feel so real
Baby how I used to feel
Now I know what it's all about
Honey I found out (I found out) I found out
(I found out) I found out and i
Wanted to tell you
If you think you're groovy
You don't even move me
There's no denying
If you dare to be true
The lyrics to Small Faces' song "Groovy" convey a sense of heartbreak and disillusionment with a past lover. The singer expresses frustration with the other person's attempts to impress them, suggesting that they are not truly genuine or authentic. The opening lines set the tone for the song, with the singer acknowledging their broken heart and their desire to move forward and grow. However, the second stanza reveals that the singer had once held dreams and hopes for a future with their partner, only to have those dreams shattered by the other person's lack of commitment or sincerity.
The chorus of the song serves as a warning to anyone who might try to impress the singer with their "groovy" attitude or lifestyle. The singer declares that such superficiality will not work on them and that only honesty and truthfulness will win their heart. The final verse of the song is a reflection on the past and an acknowledgement that the singer has learned from their experiences.
Overall, "Groovy" is a song that speaks to the universal human experience of heartbreak and disillusionment, while also celebrating the importance of authenticity and genuine emotional connections in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I can tell you how I feel
I'm finally able to express my emotions.
A broken heart is this for real
I'm experiencing real heartbreak and it hurts.
There's still so much for me to do
I have a lot of goals and aspirations.
And to know
I want to continue learning and experiencing new things.
And to be and to feel
I want to become the best version of myself and be in touch with my emotions.
If you think you're groovy
If you think you're cool or impressive,
You don't even move me
You don't impress or interest me at all.
There's no denying
It's true, there's no way to argue against it.
If you dare to be true
If you're willing to be authentic and honest.
In my dreams I dreamt for two
I had dreams for myself and a significant other.
My dreams were real but where were you
My desire for a partner was genuine, but you weren't around to fulfill it.
And now my dreams have all been changed
My dreams have evolved and no longer include you.
Rearranged there's room for two
I'm open to a new relationship with someone else.
But not for you
You're not the person I want to be with.
Oh you made me feel so real
You made me feel alive and happy.
Baby how I used to feel
But that's in the past now.
Now I know what it's all about
I've gained clarity and understanding about my emotions and relationships.
Honey I found out (I found out) I found out
I discovered something important.
(I found out) I found out and i
I found something out
Wanted to tell you
I wanted to share it with you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@haraldssongs264
Das Schönste was ich von P.P.Arnold hörte!
@beverleyr2625
What an amazing piece of music that Steve and Ronnie wrote for PP Arnold and the fact the Small Faces are backing her - just brilliant! I love the little incidental bits of flute - it captures that era so brilliantly! Pure nostalgia!!
@robertplace6131
Amazing clarity of voice , one of the most memorable singers of the swinging sixty's
@simonjones7727
I think there is an even better track in there somewhere. Like a lot of Immediate recordings the production tends to the slightly muddy. Perhaps one day we will hear it in its full glory.
@jojoheartspaypay
Beautiful beyond belief and a rocker!!!
@marytresham9164
So great. I didn't expect but I love the mix. My old favourite PP Arnold and The Small Faces ...what a combo
@Rocketman10057
I struggle to understand why the small faces didn’t explode like other British bands ,such a powerful group of musicians
@cheltboy
Their manager Don Arden held them back, and ripped them off.
@NigelWillmott
@@cheltboy The odious Don Arden.
@michaelpound5156
An absolute gem from the 60's that remains buried....