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
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.
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.
Afterglow Of Your Love
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everywhere
Love has come to touch my soul
With someone who really cares
No one can deny us
People who once passed me by
Will turn their heads 'round
I'm happy just to be with you
It's everything I need to know
Just resting in the afterglow of your love
You, yes you have always been here
Feeling deep inside
A feeling that I could not see
Or touch, or try to hide
My love is in and around you
I bless the day that I found you
So listen up baby
I'm happy just to be with you
And loving you the way I do, yeah
It's everything I need to know
Just resting in the afterglow of your love
Love is like a voice in my head
Keeps turning 'round the things that we said
I'm happy just to be with you
And loving you the way I do, yeah
It's everything I need to know
Just resting in the afterglow of your love
The lyrics to the Small Faces song "Afterglow" explore the joy and comfort of being in love with someone who truly cares for you. The singer expresses how love has touched their soul and how they are happy just to be with their loved one. The lyrics also reflect on the fact that people who once ignored or passed by the singer now turn their heads towards them, as their happiness and fulfillment is now evident.
The lyrics suggest a deep sense of security and contentment in the singer's relationship, as they describe love as being like a voice in their head, a constant and comforting presence. The repetition of the phrase "loving you the way I do" further emphasizes the depth of affection between the couple.
Overall, "Afterglow" conveys a strong sense of love and intimacy, celebrating the joys of being in a fulfilling and loving relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, love is all around me
Love is present everywhere in my life
Everywhere
Love is ubiquitous
Love has come to touch my soul
I have experienced the transformative power of love
With someone who really cares
I am fortunate to have found someone who genuinely cares for me
No one can deny us
Our love is undeniable and cannot be ignored
People who once passed me by
Those who used to ignore or overlook me
Will turn their heads 'round
Will now take notice of us and our relationship
I'm happy just to be with you
Being with you brings me immense joy
And loving you the way I do, yeah
I love you deeply and passionately
It's everything I need to know
Loving you is enough to sustain me
Just resting in the afterglow of your love
Basking in the warm and satisfying feeling of being loved by you
You, yes you have always been here
You have always been a constant presence in my life
Feeling deep inside
My emotions run deep for you
A feeling that I could not see
I was unaware of my love for you until I felt it deeply
Or touch, or try to hide
It is a feeling that cannot be grasped or suppressed
My love is in and around you
My love is all-encompassing, surrounding and permeating through you
I bless the day that I found you
I feel incredibly grateful to have found you
So listen up baby
Pay attention, my dear
Love is like a voice in my head
Love echoes through my thoughts constantly
Keeps turning 'round the things that we said
I keep replaying the sweet things we've said to each other in my mind
And loving you the way I do, yeah
My love for you is intense and unwavering
It's everything I need to know
My love for you is enough to give me all the answers I need
Just resting in the afterglow of your love
Feeling content and fulfilled after experiencing your love
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LANE RONNIE, MARRIOTT STEVE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nigelwillmott6177
IMO, The Small Faces were the most creative, diverse, imaginative and progressive band of the mid to late 60's. Never afraid to try something new (or cover something old), they were a unique band of fab musicians, fronted by the best vocalist ever - Steve Marriott.
@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms
There was a lot of good musicians from that time. Ogden's Nut Gone Flake is pretty fucking incredible though yeah.
@richardwitherow5289
I think I agree, or at the very least, up there in the top five.
@makobarcelone1829
Haha, the way you wrote that made it look like a quote from Steve Marriott. XD
@ronaldmitchell3665
Yeah: but they hated the pop that was expected from them. Thus Steve made an ultra bluesy band Humble Pie. That sounds NOTHING like SF..
@ACG7001
@@richardwitherow5289he’s second to none
@sandypompilii6901
Steve Marriott....such an amazing voice. I'm still obsessed in 2022.
@ellenscavuzzo-duggan3808
Same here
@dazthemod69
Youre not alone in that. He's up there with God on my top ten lol
@ianmorton4136
This is why SF were my favourite 60s band