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
Lazy Sunday
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But they make it very clear, yhey've got no room for ravers
They stop me from groovin', they bang on me wall
They doing me crust in, it's no good at all, ah
Lazy Sunday afternoon
I've got no mind to worry
I close my eyes and drift away-a
Here we all are sittin' in a rainbow
(Tweedle-dee) I'll sing you a song with no words and no tune (twiddly-dee)
To sing in your party while you souse at the moon (oh yeah)
Lazy Sunday afternoon, I've got no mind to worry
Close my eyes and drift away-a
Root-de-doo-de-doo, a-root-de-doot-de-doy-di
A-root-de-doot-de-dum, a-ree-de-dee-de-doo-dee (doo-doo, doo-doo)
There's no one to hear me, there's nothing to say
And no one can stop me from feeling this way, yeah
Lazy Sunday afternoon
I've got no mind to worry
Close my eyes and drift away
Lazy Sunday afternoon
I've got no mind to worry
Close my eyes and drift a-
Close my mind and drift away, close my eyes and drift away
The lyrics of Small Faces's song Lazy Sunday are about the desire to have a relaxed and enjoyable weekend, but being faced with the obstacles of neighbors who are not supportive of one's lifestyle choices, and the daily stresses of life. The singer expresses the desire to "get on with [their] neighbors" but they are met with hostility and resistance. The neighbors "stop [them] from groovin'" and "bang on [their] wall," making it difficult for the singer to enjoy their free time. Despite these challenges, the singer finds solace in a lazy Sunday afternoon where they can close their eyes and "drift away." The song portrays the importance of taking time for oneself and finding peace in the chaos of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
A-wouldn't it be nice to get on with me neighbours?
Wouldn't it be pleasant to have good relations with my neighbors?
But they make it very clear, yhey've got no room for ravers
But they have clearly stated that they do not welcome partygoers
They stop me from groovin', they bang on me wall
They prevent me from dancing by knocking on my wall
They doing me crust in, it's no good at all, ah
Their actions are annoying and disappointing
Lazy Sunday afternoon
This is a lazy Sunday afternoon
I've got no mind to worry
I have no worries on my mind
I close my eyes and drift away-a
I relax and drift off to a relaxed state
Here we all are sittin' in a rainbow
We are all enjoying a colorful and happy moment
Gor blimey, hello Mrs. Jones, how's old Bert's lumbago? (he mustn't grumble)
Hello Mrs. Jones, how is Bert's back pain? (He shouldn't complain)
(Tweedle-dee) I'll sing you a song with no words and no tune (twiddly-dee)
(Humming) I'll sing you an improvised song without lyrics or a melody
To sing in your party while you souse at the moon (oh yeah)
To sing at your party while you drink under the moonlight
Root-de-doo-de-doo, a-root-de-doot-de-doy-di
Non-sensical humming
A-root-de-doot-de-dum, a-ree-de-dee-de-doo-dee (doo-doo, doo-doo)
More non-sensical humming
There's no one to hear me, there's nothing to say
There is no one around to listen to me or to talk to
And no one can stop me from feeling this way, yeah
And no one can prevent me from feeling this relaxed
Close my mind and drift away, close my eyes and drift away
I mentally and physically relax and drift away
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OldmanGee
Stevie Marriot legend needs more recognition I think❤
@derby2510
They’re damn good! The Small Faces sound damn good!
@positiveenergyandhealing4486
If this song doesn’t scream London, 60s then I don’t know what does. What a classic, what a voice. Lucky for us German telly captured this performance for us to watch all these years later.
@mariadaugbjerg6141
You are so right : It SCREAMS London - i mean it can not be more British than this .Love it .I am from Denmark , but i am an anglophile , and there is no cure for that .LOL . :-D
@davechae5890
Wowewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
@davechae5890
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwww
@friedhelm5344
Der legendäre Beat-Club von Radio Bremen mit der Ikone Uschi Nerke :-)
@violetskye5148
👄” SMALLL FACESSS “ yes I definitely heard the echo ….. London London London ✌🏽✌🏽💕
@miz_logo_lee
Steve Marriot had the sweetest smile.
@Mrfairchap
Was there ever, in the entire history of Rock, a more underrated group or lead singer? I don't believe so.