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
One Night Stand
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Many times I've fallen down
Cause I'm the king of my new found world
You wanna share my crown
When my name was comin' on something
Illusion struck me down
But times have changed and my name's in lights
I, I said I still remember all the things that you planned
Cause you're a one night stand
(Oh well, a one night stand, yeah)
I, I said I still remember all the things that you planned
Cause you're a one night stand
(Oh well, a one night stand, yeah)
Oh if a good girl you can't get me
Honey you're just wastin' time
Because my heart's grown cold and my mind's grown old
As even you will find
So behind those eyes you know it's true
I'm keepin' to one night stands
The Small Faces' song One Night Stand is a classic rock song that tells a story of a man who has newfound fame and success and is now being pursued by someone he used to know back when he was still struggling. The lyrics portray the singer as a king of his own world and someone who has seen both success and failure. The opening lines "Many times I've tried to tell you, Many times I've fallen down" give us an insight into the character's struggle to get to where he is now. He mentions that his name is in lights, but the person who he is addressing in the song is still hanging around, indicating that she might have been interested in him even before he was famous. However, the singer knows that she's a "one night stand" and that it's probably not a good idea to get involved with her.
In the next verse, he tells her that she's wasting her time if she's trying to get him because his heart has grown cold, and his mind has grown old. He's no longer interested in anything permanent or meaningful and is keeping to one night stands instead. The lyrics depict him as a player who's not interested in settling down or getting attached to anyone. The song's chorus repeats the line, "I said I still remember all the things that you planned, Cause you're a one night stand," which reinforces the singer's belief that the person he's addressing is only interested in a one-time thing.
Line by Line Meaning
Many times I've tried to tell you
I have attempted to explain to you on numerous occasions
Many times I've fallen down
On many occasions, I have not succeeded in my endeavors
Cause I'm the king of my new found world
I am in control of my own situation
You wanna share my crown
You desire to become a part of my success
When my name was comin' on something
There was a time when my reputation was growing
Illusion struck me down
However, it did not last and I was let down
But times have changed and my name's in lights
Now things are different and I am a celebrity
And you just hang around
You still haven't moved on from our previous relationship
I, I said I still remember all the things that you planned
I clearly remember all the dreams and aspirations you once shared with me
Cause you're a one night stand
But at this point, you only represent a fleeting encounter to me
(Oh well, a one night stand, yeah)
Oh if a good girl you can't get me
Even if you behave well, you cannot win my heart
Honey you're just wastin' time
Thus, you are wasting your time pursuing me
Because my heart's grown cold and my mind's grown old
I have become bitter and cynical
As even you will find
You too will eventually recognize these negative qualities about me
So behind those eyes you know it's true
You can tell by looking into my eyes, it is evident
I'm keepin' to one night stands
That I only intend to engage in brief, casual relationships
Contributed by Allison G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tattyshoes Shigure
Such a great band... I love the off mic ‘yelps’ you sometimes hear on SF tracks, gives a ‘live’ feel to the recordings.
Deena777
I could listen to the small faces all day ! I wish I was a teenager when they were around
Christa Can
I loooove this song. I loooove The Small Faces. Steve Marriott lives on. Thanks for the memories.
Christa Can
OMG!! It's been a very long time since I heard this..Love it, thanks.
derek rayhnam
Great Song.
stOOpid68
4kn brilliant! got so many memories wrapped up in this tune ... .. .... (thats the drums at the end btw LOL!!) Nice post Mr Seeker Tre Liverpool Mods.
ther51
Brilliant what more can i say.
merseymained
@SuperLmcc- wow, then you're in for a treat if you check back the whole of the band's output.
Hannah Hague
NOBODY EVEN COMES CLOSE . . . ♥
American Born Patriot.
....they were forever getting robbed of money: from their manager and such, even those nice boys who went into Steve's house and took nearly all of his belongings. Nice going, boys.