Small Faces were an influential British mod/psychedelic band of the 1960s, … Read Full Bio ↴Small Faces were an influential British mod/psychedelic band of the 1960s, led by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane with Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan (who replaced original organist Jimmy Winston). The Small Faces were all genuine East End mods . They were signed to Decca records initially and enjoyed major success across Europe between 1965 and 1967 with classic singles like "All or Nothing" and "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" before moving to a new label.

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.
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Don't Burst My Bubble
Small Faces Lyrics

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Well, there ain't nothing happening
But people telling me I got to worry.
Hah!
Saying watch that man with his ballpoint pen,
He'll take your money.
But all I wanna do,
I wanna take things slow, I ain't in a hurry.
But there's people talking like me, jiving(?),

Messing about, my, they think it's funny.
So, hold on, hold on.
Don't burst my bubble.
Leave my bubble alone, yeah.

There's kids outside my door,
I don't know what they're waiting for, so forget it.
Cos if I let them in,
I know the trouble I'd be in, I'd soon regret it.

So, hold on, hold on.
Don't burst my bubble.

Leave my bubble alone, yeah.
(ad lib vocals)

Overall Meaning

"Don't Burst My Bubble" by Small Faces is a playful commentary on the external pressures and distractions that can prevent us from enjoying life's simple pleasures. The song starts with the singer voicing his frustration at the constant barrage of people telling him that he needs to worry about something. He dismisses these warnings as baseless and wants to take things slow, without any unnecessary pressure. However, there are people around him who can't seem to take life easy and are constantly indulging in gossip and shallow activities. The singer pleads with them to stop interfering and not to burst his bubble of peace.

The second verse sees the singer referencing the kids waiting outside his door, likely seeking to drag him into some kind of juvenile mischief. He knows that giving in to their demands would be a mistake and urges them to leave him alone. The song's chorus comes in again, with the singer repeating the mantra of "hold on, hold on. Don't burst my bubble. Leave my bubble alone, yeah."

Overall, "Don't Burst My Bubble" is a call to prioritize one's peace of mind and not let external factors take away from that. It's a reminder to maintain a level of detachment from the noise and distractions around us, and not let them influence our state of mind.

Don't Burst My BubbleSmall Faces Lyrics

Don't Burst My Bubble
Small Faces Lyrics