Small Faces were an influential British mod/psychedelic band of the 1960s, led b… 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.
http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/articl/4014.php

Get Yourself Together
Small Faces Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You say that you miss him
I can tell by the way you kiss him
Get yourself together
And you'll be alright
You say that you love him
Now he's gone so please forget him
Get yourself together
And you'll be alright

I'm just like you so take my lead
You see me as a friend but
I'm a friend in need

Get yourself together
And you'll be alright

So if you feel that you need me
I'm here beside you
Can't you see me?
Get yourself together
And you'll be alright

You're gonna be alright
Get yourself together, you're gonna be alright

Overall Meaning

The song "Get Yourself Together" by Small Faces is a song that replaces the generic love song with a song about moving on from a lost love. The lyrics are directed towards someone who is struggling to move on from an ended relationship. The first verse tells the recipient of the song that they are still kissing their ex partner, indicating that they are stuck living in the past. However, the singer reassures the recipient that if they get themselves together, or get over their ex, they will be okay.

The rest of the song then offers words of encouragement and understanding. The chorus repeatedly insists that the listener will be "alright" if they "get themselves together." Additionally, the singer offers themselves as a friend in need if the listener needs support during their process of moving on.

Overall, the song's message is one of hope and encouragement. The song suggests that moving on from a lost love is difficult but ultimately necessary for one's emotional well-being. The song uses a jaunty, uplifting tune to make its point, emphasizing the message of hope and encouragement.

Line by Line Meaning

You say that you miss him
You claim that you have a longing for him

I can tell by the way you kiss him
I can discern from the manner in which you kiss him

Get yourself together
Collect your thoughts and emotions

And you'll be alright
Eventually, you will be okay

You say that you love him
You allege that you have deep affection for him

Now he's gone so please forget him
Since he has departed, kindly put him out of your mind

I'm just like you so take my lead
I'm similar to you, so follow my example

You see me as a friend but
You view me as a companion, but

I'm a friend in need
I'm someone you can rely on

So if you feel that you need me
Therefore, if you believe that you require my assistance

I'm here beside you
I'm present next to you

Can't you see me?
Are you unaware of my existence?

Get yourself together
Regain your composure

And you'll be alright
Then, you'll be fine

You're gonna be alright
You'll eventually be okay

Get yourself together, you're gonna be alright
Recompose yourself, you'll be okay

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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