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
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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.
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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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Feeling Lonely
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So stay with me, don't play with me
Don't blow out everything
You've got to know how I feel
It's my Achilles heel, feeling lonely
Things never change, but they weaken
And I can't be, green memory
I feel that I am part of a wheel
It's my Achilles heel, feeling lonely
The song "Feeling Lonely" by Small Faces is a heartfelt track that explores the vulnerability of loneliness. The opening lyrics "I know that I can be lonely, so stay with me, don't play with me" sets the tone for the track. It is a plea for companionship and understanding. The singer is acutely aware of his own tendency towards solitude, and he is asking his partner to be patient with him. He is begging them not to make him feel worse by toying with his emotions or being dismissive.
He goes on to say "Things never change, but they weaken, and I can't be, green memory". This could be interpreted as a reference to the cyclical nature of loneliness. It is a feeling that may dissipate only to resurface time and time again. The singer is yearning for a connection that will last and won't weaken with time. He wants something that will endure, something that will not become a distant memory.
The chorus of the song "It's my Achilles heel, feeling lonely" portrays just how debilitating loneliness can be. The metaphor of the Achilles heel is a powerful one. It is a weak point that can cause significant damage. The singer is showing how loneliness is his Achilles heel, his point of vulnerability. He is hoping that his partner will stand by him and be the support that he needs.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that I can be lonely
I understand that I have a tendency to feel alone
So stay with me, don't play with me
Please don't tease or deceive me, just stick around
Don't blow out everything
Don't ruin all the good things we have
You've got to know how I feel
It's essential for you to understand my emotions
It's my Achilles heel, feeling lonely
Feeling isolated is my biggest weakness
Things never change, but they weaken
Situations may remain the same but they become less strong over time
And I can't be, green memory
I don't want to be a faded memory of the past
I've got to feel your smile
I need to see your expressions of happiness and joy
I feel that I am part of a wheel
I feel like I'm a small part of a bigger system
It's my Achilles heel, feeling lonely
Feeling alone is my greatest vulnerability
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind