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
The Autumn Stone
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love is sent through being good to you.
Then you were somewhere, Somewhere hard to find
Only what you always were, it's true.
I'm looking for an open door, where I can sit and play in peace and quiet.
Tomorrow changes.
Yesterday is dead, but not my memory.
We were strangers.
And then you came to stay,
The sweetest spring old morning sings to me.
So now I've found a living sound,
That moves, that breathes, and then makes love to me.
The Autumn Stone by Small Faces is a beautiful love ballad that talks about the transformative power of love. The lyrics talk about how the singer's life was nowhere until he met his true love. The love he has for his partner changes him and he acknowledges this by saying that it is sent through being good to her. The singer then talks about how his partner was somewhere hard to find, but he managed to find her, and now he knows that she is the one he was always looking for.
The second half of the song talks about the changes that tomorrow brings, how yesterday is now dead, but not forgotten. The singer talks about how he and his partner were once strangers but she came to stay and brought the sweetest spring to his life. The final few lines of the song are very powerful, as the singer talks about finding a living sound that moves, breathes, and makes love to him. This is a beautiful way of expressing how his partner brings joy, passion and love into his life.
Overall, The Autumn Stone is a beautiful love song that talks about the transformative power of love, the joy it brings into our lives, and the way it changes us for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
I was nowhere, til you changed my mind.
I didn't know where I was going, until you helped me find my way.
Love is sent through being good to you.
One way to show love is to be kind and helpful.
Then you were somewhere, Somewhere hard to find
At one point, you seemed lost, difficult to locate.
Only what you always were, it's true.
Despite being lost, you remained consistent in who you are.
I'm looking for an open door, where I can sit and play in peace and quiet.
I'm seeking a tranquil space where I can relax and enjoy myself.
Tomorrow changes.
The future will be different from today.
Fields of green today,
The surroundings are lush and verdant at present.
Yesterday is dead, but not my memory.
Although the past is gone, I still remember it vividly.
We were strangers.
We didn't know each other at first.
And then you came to stay,
Eventually, you decided to stick around.
The sweetest spring old morning sings to me.
Nature's beauty and serenity bring me joy.
So now I've found a living sound,
I've discovered something that brings life and energy to me.
That moves, that breathes, and then makes love to me.
This thing has a pulse, and brings me pleasure and satisfaction.
Contributed by Sophia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
steve rose
I was nowhere
Till you changed my mind
Love is sent through being good to you
Then you were somewhere
Somewhere hard to find
Only what you always were, it's true
I'm looking for an open door
Where I can sit, and play in peace with you
Tomorrow changes
Fields of green today
Yesterday is dead, but not my memory
We were strangers
And then you came to stay
The sweetest spring dawn morning sings to me
So now I've found a living sound
That moves, that breathes and then makes love to me
Janet Tucker
Steve one of the best voices ever, unappreciated even today. more people need to listen to him. rip loves you xx
Beverley R
Janet Tucker - I couldn't agree with you more - and I've read most of the comments posted here for this track, but yours stands out for me! Mr Marriott was pitch perfect in every note and every song he sung. I will have this track played at my funeral one day - it's just so beautiful!
jan van den Oever
Correct Janet , best voice ever.
Love this guy
Teddy K
An old mod never forgets a class act like Stevie Marriott
Sandy Pompilii
Just seen your post. A year later....2020 and i'm still listening and watching. Have to get my Steve Marriott fix everyday. Absolutely such a talented guy....musician and vocalist and wow, such a cutie. Gone far too soon.
I Can See For Miles
@Sandy Pompilii Me too, Sandy. It's one of my favorites
Sue Donym
One of my fave songs - beautiful and captivating. “Yesterday is dead, but not my memory.” It really shouldn’t be allowed for someone to sing a song so beautifully and emotionally charged. As for the music .... sheer brilliance.
NIGEL WILLMOTT
🙂
Noel Salisbury
No, you simply had to allow it to be written and recorded, and given to all of us , to inspire and uplift our hearts - or my life would have been all the poorer
for this not to happen.
Thankyou, Steve.
Judy
I have asked my kids to play this at my funeral, for no other reason than I love it 🥰