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
Baby Don
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't break my heart, don't do it babe
Don't break my heart, please don't do it babe
Don't you break my heart
'Cause I sacrifice to make you happy
Get nothin' for myself
Now you wanna leave me
For the love of someone else
I believe, baby, you'd better keep on keepin' on
Girl, I try to do my best
Girl, I try to do my best, don't do it babe
Don't break my heart, oh don't do it baby
Don't break my heart
My biggest mistake was lovin' you too much
And lettin' you know
'Cause now you've got me where you want me
And you're gonna let me go
My heart was made glad when you strolled, you see
Heartaches and misery you've been causin' me
Girl, I try to do my best
Girl, I try to do my best
Don't you do it, don't break my heart
Go down to the river and there I'll be
I'm gonna jump in, baby, if you don't see by me
Open up your eyes; can't you see I love you?
Open up your heart; can't you see I need you?
I'm no good without you, can't go on without you
Life's no good without you, what'm I gonna do without you?
Baby don't do it, don't you break my heart
Don't you do it, baby, don't you break my heart
What'm I gonna do without you?
Got to go on, baby
Baby don't you do it
The Small Faces's song "Baby Don't You Do It" is a passionate plea from a heartbroken lover, begging their partner not to break their heart and leave them for someone else. The lyrics highlight the sacrifices the singer has made for their partner's happiness, without receiving any love or care in return. The singer admits that their biggest mistake was loving their partner too much and letting them know it, as it has left them vulnerable and at their partner's mercy. The singer ends the song by telling their partner that they can't go on without them and begging them not to leave.
The song's soulful melody and powerful lyrics convey the desperation and heartache felt by the singer. The repetition of "don't break my heart" emphasizes the singer's fear of being hurt, while the line "my pride is all gone, whether right or wrong" shows the extent of the emotional damage inflicted. The metaphor of jumping in the river if the partner doesn't see them highlights how lost and helpless the singer feels without them.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby don't you do it, don't do it babe
Please, my love, don't take this action that will hurt me.
Don't break my heart, don't do it babe
I beg you not to shatter my heart with your decision.
Don't break my heart, please don't do it babe
I implore you not to destroy my heart, please.
Don't you break my heart
Please, don't cause me this pain and damage.
'Cause I sacrifice to make you happy
I have given up so much to see you content and glad.
Get nothin' for myself
I have received nothing in return for my efforts towards you.
Now you wanna leave me
And now you want to abandon me.
For the love of someone else
All for the sake of loving another person.
My pride is all gone, whether right or wrong
I have lost every ounce of dignity, whether justified or not.
I believe, baby, you'd better keep on keepin' on
I trust that you will keep moving forward, no matter what you decide.
Girl, I try to do my best
I swear that I gave it my all.
Don't do it babe
Please, reconsider your decision.
My biggest mistake was lovin' you too much
My greatest regret was loving you excessively.
And lettin' you know
And revealing my feelings to you.
'Cause now you've got me where you want me
Because you now hold me at your mercy.
And you're gonna let me go
And you intend to release me from your grasp.
My heart was made glad when you strolled, you see
You brought me such joy whenever you came around.
Heartaches and misery you've been causin' me
But now, you've been causing me nothing but pain and sorrow.
Go down to the river and there I'll be
Meet me by the river and you'll find me there.
I'm gonna jump in, baby, if you don't see by me
I will end my life by jumping into the river if you don't come to me.
Open up your eyes; can't you see I love you?
Please realize that I love you completely.
Open up your heart; can't you see I need you?
I need you in my life more than anything.
I'm no good without you, can't go on without you
I am nothing without you and cannot continue to live without you by my side.
Life's no good without you, what'm I gonna do without you?
Without you, life is meaningless and I don't know what I will do.
Got to go on, baby
But I have to keep going, no matter how hard it is.
Baby don't you do it, don't you break my heart
I beg of you, my love, please don't hurt me in this way.
What'm I gonna do without you?
I don't know how I will cope without you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Edward Jr. Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Tompkins
They were basically just kids at this point but they sound years beyond that in sound. Simply an amazing rendition. What a crime these guys were not promoted in the States. Thank God for UTube-maybe they will finally get the recognition they deserve.
rocketracer69
Absolutely love this track
Pete Fummy
First time I have heard this version. Verdict. Pretty darn good. Marvin's version. A lot funkier and pretty darn good. But nothing compares to The Band's version. Levon's vocals are sublime, gritty, raw, just the way the song should be sung and played.
What is known as a masterpiece.
Mats Goalkeeping
Checkout the poets version of this song, it’s really good!
JJ Flash
The Small Faces "From the Beginning" album also featured their stage favourite "Baby Don't You Do It", featuring Jimmy Winston on lead vocals and guitar. (Wikipedia)
Grape Minkoff
thanks for posting this track - didn't know they covered Marvin Gaye
sbarr10
Wow, the Small Faces do Motown real well !
Daze
I love the rawness of Small Faces.
American Born Patriot.
I admit, Jimmy Winston, has a voice all his own. But, I think, their age difference might've played a factor in his ousting.
tiborvivi
One of the best bands EVER! I was 15 when i've heard the Small Faces first time. That was about 45 years ago. There was NOT one week passed during these years when I didn't hear any of their songs. SF is teh #1 for me. Period.