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
Almost Grown
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You love me,
Don't you mess with me, one, two, three
Go honey go,
(Play it nice)
I'm so tough now baby,
Come on Missy
The lines "I love you, you love me, don't you mess with me" express a sense of mutual love and loyalty, but also a warning to not cross any boundaries. The playful counting of "one, two, three" adds a hint of childlike innocence to the lyrics. The next few lines "Go honey go, (play it nice)" give off a sense of encouragement or motivation to whoever "honey" refers to. The phrase "I'm so tough now baby, come on Missy" seems to suggest a shift in power dynamics. The singer claims to be tough and ready to take on any challenge, while addressing someone as "Missy" in a somewhat condescending or dismissive way.
Overall, the lyrics of "Almost Grown" seem to express a mix of confidence and caution, with hints of playfulness and power dynamics in the singer's tone.
Line by Line Meaning
I love you,
I have strong affection for you,
You love me,
You also have strong affection for me,
Don't you mess with me, one, two, three
Don't try to deceive or manipulate me, I'm ready for it,
Go honey go,
Go ahead and do what you want,
(Play it nice)
Do it in a pleasant manner,
I'm so tough now baby,
I have become stronger and more resilient,
Come on Missy
Addressing a woman and urging her to take action,
Contributed by Isabella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tattyshoes Shigure
This phenomenal instrumental from the Small Faces shows both their range & versatility... amazing band!
xo Sunshine Abbey
This song is just soooooo swinging! The first time I heard it ~ I was smiling and wiggling my hips!
Ian Roberts
This is the sort of track that just insists you move to it- you can't resist!!
Susy D
This is excellent, a real full sound, everyone sounds deadly good here
Ben Coleman
What a superb band they were. I would love to catch them in a small London club on a summer Saturday night in 1965 playing this one: wall to wall frugging.
Slightlydelic
A rock band isn't complete without an organ
Dr. Butt Hartmann
Love it! Drenched in organ!
Ludo Lime
Thinking about Mac brought me here........he lives forever in the sounds in our hearts.........we Mods cherish those who guided us..........thank you, Mac, Plonk and Stevie
Val Weedon
...And Kenney
Tattyshoes Shigure
Phenomenal keyboards from Mac... would give Booker T a close run!