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
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.
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.
Rollin' Over
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be long time gone by the break of day
Tell everyone that I'm gonna find it
There ain't nothin' gonna stop me
Rollin' over
Rollin' over (save all your lovin' 'til I get home)
Rollin' over (ooh, the sweetest lovin' sunshine that I've ever known)
There ain't nothin' gonna stop me
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Alright)
Rollin' over, shak-do-way
Wah-wah-doo, yeah-yeah-yeah (rollin' over)
Shak-do-way (rollin' over)
Yeah-yeah-yeah (rollin' over)
Shak-do-way (rollin' over)
Yeah-yeah-yeah (rollin' over and over)
Shak-do-way (rollin' over)
Yeah-yeah-yeah (rollin' over)
Shak-do-way (rollin' over)
Yeah-yeah-yeah
Shak-do-way
The lyrics to Small Faces' "Rollin' Over" seem to tell the story of a man who is leaving his current situation behind and setting out on a journey to find something better. The opening line, "Goodbye sunshine, I'm on my way," suggests that the singer is leaving behind a place or person that once brought him joy or comfort. The next line, "I'll be long time gone by the break of day," implies that this departure will be permanent, as he plans to be gone for a long time and won't return by daybreak.
The rest of the song consists of the singer declaring his determination to find what he's searching for and reassuring his loved ones that he'll return for their love when he comes back home. The repeated refrain of "Rollin' over" suggests the sense of restlessness and movement that comes with charting a new course, while the additional lyrics, "save all your lovin' 'til I get home" and "ooh, the sweetest lovin' sunshine that I've ever known" convey a longing for the love and home he's leaving behind.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a celebration of the courage it takes to strike out on one's own and the hope that better things lie ahead. The upbeat melody also adds to the sense of optimism and excitement that accompany any new journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye sunshine, I'm on my way
I'm leaving now, so farewell happiness.
I'll be long time gone by the break of day
I'll be far away by sunrise.
Tell everyone that I'm gonna find it
Spread the word that I'm gonna discover what I'm searching for.
There ain't nothin' gonna stop me
Nothing can hinder me from reaching my goal.
Rollin' over
I'm moving forward to achieve what I desire.
Rollin' over (save all your lovin' 'til I get home)
Don't send me love letters or messages until I'm back.
Rollin' over (ooh, the sweetest lovin' sunshine that I've ever known)
Thinking about the unforgettable moments of love that happened before.
Tell everybody I'm gonna find it
Let others know that I'm determined to make a discovery or accomplish something significant.
There ain't nothin' gonna stop me
No obstacle can deter me from reaching my destination.
(Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Expressing enthusiasm or excitement about what lies ahead.
(Alright)
An affirmative exclamation to indicate readiness to move forward.
Rollin' over, shak-do-way
Continuing to progress while joyfully making vocalizations.
Wah-wah-doo, yeah-yeah-yeah (rollin' over)
Uttering meaningless but catchy sounds while affirming determination to move forward.
Shak-do-way (rollin' over)
Repeating cheerful vocalizations while continuing to move forward.
Yeah-yeah-yeah (rollin' over and over)
Expressing great satisfaction while continuously making progress.
Shak-do-way (rollin' over)
Making more joyful sounds while progressing towards my goal.
Yeah-yeah-yeah (rollin' over)
Exclaiming with excitement while still rolling towards my destination.
Shak-do-way (rollin' over)
Cheerfully vocalizing again while making progress towards my goal.
Yeah-yeah-yeah
Expressing jubilation at still being able to make progress and attain goals.
Shak-do-way
Making meaningless yet joyful sounds while still joyfully rolling towards success.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronnie Lane, Steve Marriott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nataliacarolina97
Goodbye sunshine I'm on my way
I'll be long time gone by the break of day
Tell everyone that I'm gonna find it
There ain't nothin' gonna stop me -
Rollin' Over, Rollin' Over
Save all your lovin' till I get home
To the sweetest lovin' sunshine that I've ever known
Tell everyone that I'm gonna find it
There ain't nothin' gonna stop me -
Rollin' Over, Shak-do-way
Rollin' Over, Yeah-yeah-yeah...
@ianmorton4136
My favourite SF album, way ahead of it's time
@rogerkeime1925
She's the sweetest lovin sunshine that I've known
@Hagarviking
Love it......brilliant album
@tattyshoesshigure5731
Love the way the keyboard is mixed in on this great track. In fact the production on so many SF tracks is absolutely superb... top job whoever the engineer was!
@allmodcons8578
Glynn Johns I’m pretty sure
@nataliacarolina97
Goodbye sunshine I'm on my way
I'll be long time gone by the break of day
Tell everyone that I'm gonna find it
There ain't nothin' gonna stop me -
Rollin' Over, Rollin' Over
Save all your lovin' till I get home
To the sweetest lovin' sunshine that I've ever known
Tell everyone that I'm gonna find it
There ain't nothin' gonna stop me -
Rollin' Over, Shak-do-way
Rollin' Over, Yeah-yeah-yeah...
@rogerkeime5561
awesome number, RIP steve marriott
@TazRingo
Marry me and sing that to me every night.
@robinwilson1433
@@TazRingo Sorry, I'm already married!
@KelvinJefford
Been singing this all day!