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
Become Like You
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I could throw myself away, would I become like you?
Would I know just where I stood?
Would my heart be made out of wood?
Out of wood?, out of wood?, out of wood?
If I could be a brick, would I become like you, yeah?
If I could give my best friend a kick, would I become like you?
Would I know just where I was at?
Where I sat?, where I sat?, where I sat?
Would I become like you?
Would I become like you?
(Hello, they're playing it again!)
Would I become like you?
In Small Faces' song "Become Like You," the lyrics express the pondering of whether one would change himself/herself to become like another person. The singer questions if he would become like the person he's addressing if he became like them or threw himself away. The lyrical questions are a reflection of the struggles of understanding oneself and identifying with others. The line "If I could be a brick, would I become like you?" signifies the willingness of the singer to become anyone or anything to understand the other person's perspective. The line "Would my heart be made out of wood?" suggests that the singer is worried that if he became like the other person, he would lose his ability to empathize with others.
The song's overall theme touches on identity and the desire to belong. The song's poetic questions raise fundamental issues concerning the balance between personal identity and the desire to conform to societal norms. The line "If I could give my best friend a kick, would I become like you?" addresses the temptation to seek approval from one's peers even when their actions are negative. By posing this question, the singer brings to attention the consequences of wanting to please others by indulging in harmful behavior.
Overall, Small Faces' "Become Like You" is a musical reflection of the struggles of self-identity, the desire for acceptance, and the conflict between individuality and conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could find a way, would I become like you, yeah?
If I could discover the means, would I be able to acquire your characteristics?
If I could throw myself away, would I become like you?
If I could surrender my sense of self, would I become similar to you?
Would I know just where I stood?
Would I understand my position in relation to others?
Would my heart be made out of wood?
Would I be emotionally cold and unfeeling?
Out of wood?, out of wood?, out of wood?
Repetition for emphasis
If I could be a brick, would I become like you, yeah?
If I could be as solid and unyielding as a brick, would I be like you?
If I could give my best friend a kick, would I become like you?
If I were cruel to someone close to me, would I be like you?
Would I know just where I was at?
Would I be aware of my surroundings and situation?
Would my brains be where I sat?
Would I be devoid of intelligence or critical thinking?
Where I sat?, where I sat?, where I sat?
Repetition for emphasis
Would I become like you?
Asks the question of whether adopting negative characteristics of someone else leads to becoming that person.
Would I become like you?
Repeating the question, emphasizing the uncertainty and doubt.
(Hello, they're playing it again!)
Background interruption, possibly meant to express annoyance, distraction, or resignation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markoutram7589
Struggling a bit at the mo' but this has really brightened my day - never heard it before : an absolute gem. Steve Marriott was the best ever on so many levels in terms of his art. It's a real shame he didn't have enough discipline when it mattered in certain areas. But I guess, if he'd had that as well, we might have all got sick of him being ev'rywhere all the time like certain much lesser talents I could mention. Appreciate it while it's there, boys & girls, cos it ain't there forever ... .
@quadrophenia69
one of their best songs... great band, great music
@Christacan
Love this song, brings back so many memories. Thanks for adding it. The Small Faces were the best of the best..
@garden0fstone736
I love that rhythm towards the second half off the song. Makes me crank it up!
@anthonykidd1963
"Would my brains be where I sat" Brilliant!!!!
@jamesmartin746
Shame it isn’t on Spotify :/
@poohen223
a new one on me...priceless. Best new song I ve heard in weeks
@Khultan
That laughter near the end...they were coolin' : )
@penrhyndeundraeth
It was definitely released in 1967 in France on their Here Comes The nice EP. I'm not sure whether it was released on their 1967 albums. They changed record labels at the time and ended up having two LPs released in June 1967 by two different record labels.
@Czechmate1967
Beautiful and funny.