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
Groovy
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A broken heart is this for real
There's still so much for me to do
And to know
And to be and to feel
If you think you're groovy
You don't even move me
There's no denying
If you dare to be true
In my dreams I dreamt for two
My dreams were real but where were you
And now my dreams have all been changed
Rearranged there's room for two
But not for you
If you think you're groovy
You don't even move me
There's no denying
If you dare to be true
Oh you made me feel so real
Baby how I used to feel
Now I know what it's all about
Honey I found out (I found out) I found out
(I found out) I found out and i
Wanted to tell you
If you think you're groovy
You don't even move me
There's no denying
If you dare to be true
The lyrics to Small Faces' song "Groovy" convey a sense of heartbreak and disillusionment with a past lover. The singer expresses frustration with the other person's attempts to impress them, suggesting that they are not truly genuine or authentic. The opening lines set the tone for the song, with the singer acknowledging their broken heart and their desire to move forward and grow. However, the second stanza reveals that the singer had once held dreams and hopes for a future with their partner, only to have those dreams shattered by the other person's lack of commitment or sincerity.
The chorus of the song serves as a warning to anyone who might try to impress the singer with their "groovy" attitude or lifestyle. The singer declares that such superficiality will not work on them and that only honesty and truthfulness will win their heart. The final verse of the song is a reflection on the past and an acknowledgement that the singer has learned from their experiences.
Overall, "Groovy" is a song that speaks to the universal human experience of heartbreak and disillusionment, while also celebrating the importance of authenticity and genuine emotional connections in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I can tell you how I feel
I'm finally able to express my emotions.
A broken heart is this for real
I'm experiencing real heartbreak and it hurts.
There's still so much for me to do
I have a lot of goals and aspirations.
And to know
I want to continue learning and experiencing new things.
And to be and to feel
I want to become the best version of myself and be in touch with my emotions.
If you think you're groovy
If you think you're cool or impressive,
You don't even move me
You don't impress or interest me at all.
There's no denying
It's true, there's no way to argue against it.
If you dare to be true
If you're willing to be authentic and honest.
In my dreams I dreamt for two
I had dreams for myself and a significant other.
My dreams were real but where were you
My desire for a partner was genuine, but you weren't around to fulfill it.
And now my dreams have all been changed
My dreams have evolved and no longer include you.
Rearranged there's room for two
I'm open to a new relationship with someone else.
But not for you
You're not the person I want to be with.
Oh you made me feel so real
You made me feel alive and happy.
Baby how I used to feel
But that's in the past now.
Now I know what it's all about
I've gained clarity and understanding about my emotions and relationships.
Honey I found out (I found out) I found out
I discovered something important.
(I found out) I found out and i
I found something out
Wanted to tell you
I wanted to share it with you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DoojeenDoonican
Fantastic - Steve Marriott and Pat Arnold are two of the greatest singers ever!
C B'more
One of the great unrecognised tracks of the '60s. There's just too many...
trammix
What a beautiful combination. The cute sexy soul voice off PP Arnold with the fab Small Faces. This is music heaven !
Harry Hackney
DONT FORGET ABOUT HER BEAUTIFUL SMILE SHOWS SHE LOVES SINGING AND WE ENJOY LISTENING ❤️.
xavier de Cozar
When it comes to the mod thing ,you can't get any better than this that's for sure.Bloody give me a time machine and take me there far from this nightmare ,right?
brian bottomley
even more of a nightmare now
LuLu Luna
WHEN DO WE LEAVE !!! !!!
Beverley R
Too right - I'll buy a one way ticket for your time machine! The second half of the Sixties were THE BEST YEARS EVER!
Mad Cyril
These two complimented each other beautifully.
HUMBLPI3
Good one!! wonder if there is or should have been a Small Faces version of this one with Steve belting it out in his own style. Still a killer toon!!