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
My Mind
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ever wondering why I dream my dreams away
And I'm living for today in my mind's eye
Things are clearer than before
Showing me the way, asking me to stay
I'll never close the door
To all these things and more
Everybody I know says I've changed, yeah
Laughing behind their hands
I think they're strange
People running everywhere
Running through my life
I couldn't give a care,
Because they'll never see
All that I can see with my mind's eye
The song "My Mind" by Small Faces is a reflective piece about the power of the imagination and dreaming. In the song, the singer shares their everyday experiences of sitting and looking at the sky, wondering why they dream their dreams away, and living for today all in their mind's eye. The singer finds that they have a clearer perspective when they close their eyes, displaying how the imagination can sometimes offer greater insight into life's mysteries than objective reality. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels misunderstood by the people around them, who they believe are laughing behind their back. The singer is disillusioned with everyday life and has little time for the people running everywhere, running through their life - they are content with what they can see with their mind's eye.
Overall, "My Mind" by Small Faces is a song about finding personal fulfillment through using one's imagination. It posits that a person can find clarity and peace by looking inward and utilizing their imagination. The lyrics also suggest that this could create a divide between the individual and their peers, who may not understand or value the same things. The song encourages listeners to pursue their dreams and visions, and not to be swayed by the opinions of others who don't understand their inner world.
Line by Line Meaning
I sit here every day looking at the sky
I spend a lot of time alone and introspective, gazing up at the sky, lost in thought
Ever wondering why I dream my dreams away
I often question why I spend so much time daydreaming, letting my mind wander and escape reality
And I'm living for today in my mind's eye
I find joy and fulfillment in my inner world, where I can create my own reality and live out my fantasies
Things are clearer than before
I find that my thoughts and desires are becoming more focused and easier to understand
Showing me the way, asking me to stay
My imagination is leading me down a path, tempting me to stay in this dream world rather than face reality
I'll never close the door
I am always open to new ideas and experiences, especially those that come from within my own mind
To all these things and more
I am constantly discovering new ideas and possibilities in my mind, and I am open to exploring all of them
In my mind's eye
Everything I envision and experience is through the lens of my own imagination
Everybody I know says I've changed, yeah
My friends and acquaintances have noticed a shift in my behavior and attitude
Laughing behind their hands
They are mocking or teasing me behind my back, thinking my behavior is strange or foolish
I think they're strange
From my perspective, it is those around me who are acting strange because they cannot understand the beauty and fulfillment of my inner world
People running everywhere
Everyday life is chaotic, with people rushing around and scrambling to accomplish their goals
Running through my life
I am surrounded by people caught up in the rat race, but I choose to live my life at my own pace, following my own dreams and desires
I couldn't give a care,
I am not bothered or affected by the opinions of others who do not understand my perspective
Because they'll never see
I know that those around me will never truly understand the richness of my inner world, and I am at peace with that
All that I can see with my mind's eye
My inner world is vivid and full of possibility, and it is where I find the most joy and fulfillment
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONALD LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aestethicssubs7026
I sit here every day looking at the sky
Ever wondering why I dream my dreams away
And I'm living for today in my mind's eye
Things are clearer than before
Showing me the way, asking me to stay
I'll never close the door
To all these things and more
In my mind's eye
Everybody I know says I've changed, yeah
Laughing behind their hands
I think they're strange
People running everywhere
Running through my life
I couldn't give a care,
Because they'll never see
All that I can see with my mind's eye
@fernandoportillopinar356
I know they were against releasing this as a single, but its one of my favourites!
@willzimjohn
It was released before it was finished. It was basically a demo version. The shame is what this record could have been with some polish.
@golden.lights.twinkle2329
My favourite too. Don't see how it could have been improved except maybe extend it a little. It's a bit short.
@angelameldrum2363
Reminds me of Christmas time when me and my big sister got a record player and this was played on repeat. My favourite band back in the day and I loved this so much. Wish it went on for longer, hence the repeated play 😂
@lilmoe4364
Another great one - They were such brilliant melodic craftsmen
@raulmacias7887
Steve Marriott borrowed the Verse and Chorus' beautiful melody from the Christmas Song ~ "Gloria In Excelsis Deo".
@lilmoe4364
Whoops, maybe I picked the wrong one as an example. But still my assertion stands !
@georgesmyth6577
A piece of pop perfection.
@aestethicssubs7026
I sit here every day looking at the sky
Ever wondering why I dream my dreams away
And I'm living for today in my mind's eye
Things are clearer than before
Showing me the way, asking me to stay
I'll never close the door
To all these things and more
In my mind's eye
Everybody I know says I've changed, yeah
Laughing behind their hands
I think they're strange
People running everywhere
Running through my life
I couldn't give a care,
Because they'll never see
All that I can see with my mind's eye
@alangreenley3257
They should have been bigger than the who and the stones what a band, never to be repeated