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
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Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Times change, better later than never
Being true to myself
Makes me see all the more
Things are going to get better
Times fly, so don't you upset her
And I know how I feel
And it's time for a change
Things are going to get better
I said I knew it, I want to tell everybody
The moment that I met her
And it seems that my mind
Has survived on its own
Things are going to get better
The lyrics to Small Faces' "Things Are Going to Get Better" convey a sense of optimism and hope for the future. The belief that times will change and things will improve is a recurring theme throughout the song. The singer reaffirms their commitment to being true to themselves, which allows them to see the potential for growth and improvement in their life. They encourage others to avoid getting too upset about the passing of time, reminding them that change is inevitable and can bring about positive outcomes.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of meeting someone special, and how that experience can be transformative. The singer suggests that this person has helped them to see things in a different way, and that their mind is now open to new possibilities. Overall, the song is a celebration of the power of positivity and the belief that things can and will get better.
Line by Line Meaning
Things are going to get better
The future is looking bright and hopeful for me
Times change, better later than never
Although change may take a while, it's always better to make progress late than to not make any progress at all
Being true to myself
I am committed to living my life authentically and with integrity
Makes me see all the more
Living authentically helps me gain a deeper understanding and perspective on myself and the world around me
Times fly, so don't you upset her
Time passes quickly, so don't waste it by getting upset over trivial matters
And I know how I feel
I am confident and self-assured about my emotions and sentiments
And it's time for a change
I am ready and motivated for a significant alteration in my life
I said I knew it, I want to tell everybody
I am excited and eager to share my positive outlook on life with others
The moment that I met her
Referring to a specific moment or individual that triggered my change in perspective or attitude
And it seems that my mind
I have come to a realization or mental conclusion
Has survived on its own
My personal perspective and outlook have developed naturally and independently
Things are going to get better
Repeating the initial line, reinforcing my positive outlook on the future
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RONALD LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind