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
Soldier Boy
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be true to you
You were my first love
And you'll be my last love
I will never make you blue
I'll be true to you
In the whole world
Let me be that one girl
For I'll be true to you
Wherever you go
My heart will follow
I love you so
I'll be true to you
Take my love with you
To any port or foreign shore
Darling you must feel for sure
I'll be true to you
Soldier boy
Oh, my little soldier boy
I'll be true to you
The lyrics to Small Faces’ song “Soldier Boy” are a testament of unwavering devotion and love from a woman to her soldier beau. Throughout the song, the woman expresses her love and promises to remain true to him no matter where he goes. She declares her loyalty to him and proclaims that he will be the only man in her life. She swears to follow him wherever he may be deployed and to keep her love alive for him no matter what.
The use of the lyrics “soldier boy” suggests that the song was written during a time of war. The song encapsulates the pain and sadness experienced when lovers or family members are separated by war. The woman's pledge to remain true to her love despite the challenges of distance, the unknown and the dangers of war is poignant and speaks to the human spirit.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the selflessness and courage of soldiers everywhere, and how love can help us overcome adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, my little soldier boy
The singer calls the soldier boy (her lover) and expresses affection towards him.
I'll be true to you
The singer promises to be loyal and faithful to the soldier boy.
You were my first love
The singer admits that the soldier boy was her first love.
And you'll be my last love
The artist implies that she will never fall in love with anyone else once the soldier boy is gone.
I will never make you blue
The artist promises never to make the soldier boy sad or unhappy.
In the whole world
The singer emphasizes the grand scope of the world.
You can love but one girl
The singer declares that the soldier boy can only love one girl at a time.
Let me be that one girl
The artist requests to be the girl the soldier boy loves.
For I'll be true to you
The artist offers loyalty and faithfulness in return for the soldier boy's love.
Wherever you go
The artist declares that she will follow the soldier boy anywhere he goes.
My heart will follow
The singer's love for the soldier boy will never falter or disappear.
I love you so
The artist expresses deep affection for the soldier boy.
Take my love with you
The singer offers her love to the soldier boy, even if he must leave.
To any port or foreign shore
The singer implies that the soldier boy may have to travel to distant, unfamiliar places.
Darling you must feel for sure
The singer reassures the soldier boy that he should feel confident in her love for him.
I'll be true to you
The artist reiterates her promise of loyalty and faithfulness to the soldier boy.
Soldier boy
The artist addresses the soldier boy, emphasizing his identity as a soldier.
Oh, my little soldier boy
The singer expresses affection towards the soldier boy once again.
Contributed by Ava L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.