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
Rene
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can find her every night
Ah, waiting for a stevedore from Tyneside
Why it's Rene, the docker's delight!
Well, if you just got off an oil tanker
And you've got the readies in the bin
Just make your way down to The Crown & Anchor
She's Rene, the docker's delight, and a ship's in every night
Romping with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur
Love is like an 'ole in the wall
A line-up in the warehouse no trouble at all
If you can spare the money, you'll have a ball
She'll have your oars out!
Well, there's a kid of every shape and colour
Safely hid in coal-sheds double locked
Where it's been said that Rene is the mother.
I wonder - well, there you go!
She's Rene, the docker's delight, and a ship's in every night
Groping with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur
The Small Faces' song "Rene" is a satirical take on the life of a promiscuous woman who is known to hang out at the quayside, waiting for stevedores from Tyneside. The song describes her as "Rene, the docker's delight," and notes that she is always romping with different men each night, from a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur to a kid of every shape and color.
The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is not ashamed of her lifestyle and is willing to offer her services for the right price. The line "Love is like an 'ole in the wall, a line-up in the warehouse no trouble at all" highlights this aspect of her life. The song also suggests that she is the mother of many children from different fathers, and they remain hidden in coal-sheds double locked.
Overall, "Rene" is a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of a woman who is living life on her own terms, despite the societal norms of the time. It highlights the hypocrisy of a society that would judge her for her lifestyle while enabling the same behavior in others.
Line by Line Meaning
There she is parading on the quayside
Rene can be seen walking on the dock every day.
You can find her every night
Rene is present every night and can be easily found.
Ah, waiting for a stevedore from Tyneside
Rene is waiting eagerly for someone from Tyneside.
Why it's Rene, the docker's delight!
Rene is famous among dockworkers because of her pleasing nature.
Well, if you just got off an oil tanker
If someone has recently disembarked from an oil tanker.
And you've got the readies in the bin
If someone has enough money with them.
Just make your way down to The Crown & Anchor
They just need to go to The Crown & Anchor pub.
Ask for Rene (ohh, hello ducks!) and you'll be well in.
If they ask for Rene, she will welcome them warmly.
She's Rene, the docker's delight, and a ship's in every night
Rene is a delight for the dockworkers, and new ships arrive every night.
Romping with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur
Rene is involved sexually with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur.
Love is like an 'ole in the wall
Love is like a hole in the wall, which can be easily found.
A line-up in the warehouse no trouble at all
There are women lined up in the warehouse, and it's not difficult to find one.
If you can spare the money, you'll have a ball
One can enjoy themselves if they have enough money.
She'll have your oars out!
Rene will make someone happy and satisfied sexually.
Well, there's a kid of every shape and colour
There are children of all shapes and colours.
Safely hid in coal-sheds double locked
The children are hidden in coal-sheds, which are double locked for safety.
Where it's been said that Rene is the mother.
It is rumoured that Rene is the mother of these children.
I wonder - well, there you go!
The singer is surprised and wonders about Rene's life.
Groping with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur
Rene is sexually involved with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONALD LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IrwellPete
Rene
Song by Small Faces
LyricsVideosListen
There she is parading on the quayside
You can find her every night
Ah, waiting for a stevedore from Tyneside
Why it's Rene, the docker's delight!
Well, if you just got off an oil tanker
And you've got the readies in the bin
Just make your way down to The Crown & Anchor
Ask for Rene (ohh, hello ducks!) and you'll be well in.
She's Rene, the docker's delight, and a ship's in every night
Romping with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur
Love is like an 'ole in the wall
A line-up in the warehouse no trouble at all
If you can spare the money, you'll have a ball
She'll have your oars out!
Well, there's a kid of every shape and colour
Safely hid in coal-sheds double locked
Where it's been said that Rene is the mother.
I wonder - well, there you go!
She's Rene, the docker's delight, and a ship's in every night
Groping with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur
@liipeurameshi9179
There she is parading on the quayside
You can find her every night
Ah, waiting for a stevedore from Tyneside
Why it's Rene, the docker's delight!
Well, if you just got off an oil tanker
And you've got the readies in the bin
Just make your way down to The Crown & Anchor
Ask for Rene (ohh, hello ducks!) and you'll be well in.
She's Rene, the docker's delight, and a ship's in every night
Romping with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur
Love is like an 'ole in the wall
A line-up in the warehouse no trouble at all
If you can spare the money, you'll have a ball
She'll have your oars out!
Well, there's a kid of every shape and colour
Safely hid in coal-sheds double locked
Where it's been said that Rene is the mother.
I wonder - well, there you go!
She's Rene, the docker's delight, and a ship's in every night
Groping with a stoker from the coast of Kuala Lumpur
@ianmacreth7906
Somehow, this song combines a sea shanty, a vaudeville tune, maybe skiffle, definitely some psychedelic edges, the blues........I loved it then and I love it now!
@anneratledge8973
Exactly right- love it like an old friend 😊
@Sydney-Casket-Base
god yes, i love stuff like this! its so unique, yet so familiar. got that sort of quality to it, yknow?
@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms
It's Extremely Psychedelic but in like a Cockney Way sorta.
@adamluck3165
Am from the North East of England, so I know the pub crown and anchor and its true, lucky Middlesbrough football club lucky boro fc
@jessicamcphee8366
Fk I love these guys. I'm 41 and an old young music lover listening these guys as a kid with my dad. Great memories. Get out of hospital Pappy
@bobbydylanio
This year I decided to listen to a different album every day, somehow its May and i'm still doing it.
And this, this... masterpiece is easily the album of the year so far.
@Picnicl
The White Album by The Beatles came out the same year but Ogden's is more enjoyable as an overall experience.
@rickkanyon8034
The Line of the bass after the singing parts is fantastic
@haggisuk9952
Great music, lyrics and vocals from beginning to end. Never heard it played or even mentioned. I suppose that makes it kind of a hidden gem and therefore more enjoyable for those of us that do know it.