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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My Way of Giving
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before you meet someone who opens your eyes
But time's on my side so nevertheless
I know the pain of too much happiness
[Chorus]
It's all part of my way of giving
And I'm giving it all to you
And what more would you have me do
Although I'm not a guy that means to hurt
And if at times it seems our love won't work
I tell you honey, you must surely realize
See all confusion in my cloudy eyes
[Chorus]
Although I'm not a guy that means to hurt
And if at times it seems our love won't work
I tell you honey you must surely realize
See all confusion in my cloudy eyes
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Small Faces' song My Way of Giving speaks about the singer's approach to love and relationships. The first verse tells us that the singer has been told that eventually he will meet someone who will open his eyes. However, the singer is in no rush as time is on his side. Interestingly, he goes on to say that he knows the pain of too much happiness. This could mean that he has experienced a lot of love and happiness before, which has led to heartbreak and pain, and so he is cautious in his approach to love.
The chorus of the song is where the singer explains how he approaches love, saying that it's all part of his way of giving. He is giving it all to the person he loves and more than just love, it's a way of living. He asks what more could his partner want from him? The final verse is a repeat of the second, with the singer assuring his partner that he doesn't mean to hurt her and that she should understand the confusion in his eyes.
The song is heartfelt and poignant, and it speaks to the universal experience of love, heartbreak, and confusion. It also touches on the fact that love isn't just about feeling but about a way of life. In a way, it's a self-reflection on the singer's approach to love and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been told it's just a matter of time
People have told me that eventually, I'll meet someone who will give me a new perspective
Before you meet someone who opens your eyes
Before you find someone who can show you new experiences and change your outlook on life
But time's on my side so nevertheless
Despite what people say, I have plenty of time and patience to wait for the right person
I know the pain of too much happiness
I understand that sometimes extreme happiness can lead to pain or sadness when it ends
It's all part of my way of giving
This is just my style of showing affection and love to you
And I'm giving it all to you
I'm putting all my effort and love into this relationship
More than love it's a way of living
My expression of love goes beyond just saying the words, it's a way of life for me
And what more would you have me do
I'm giving you all that I can, what more do you want from me?
Although I'm not a guy that means to hurt
I don't intend to cause harm or pain to you
And if at times it seems our love won't work
If our relationship hits rough patches or feels like it's failing
I tell you honey, you must surely realize
I want you to understand that I'm doing my best and trying my hardest
See all confusion in my cloudy eyes
If I seem uncertain or confused, it's because I don't want to do anything to jeopardize our relationship
Although I'm not a guy that means to hurt
I'm not out to intentionally cause pain or harm
And if at times it seems our love won't work
If we hit a rough patch in our relationship
I tell you honey you must surely realize
I want you to understand that I deeply care about you and our relationship
See all confusion in my cloudy eyes
If I seem unsure or uncertain, it's only because I want to make sure our relationship stays strong and healthy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RON LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind