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.
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.
@steverose7782
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
@halcyon289
Probably the most beautiful song ever recorded. Ronnie's bass and Kenney's bass drum are locked in tight. Kenney's drum and cymbal sound is remarkable as are his fills. The guitars are perfect, The flute solo is dream like and full of hope. The ending with the harmonica is so original . And then we come to Steve's vocal performance,; vulnerable, innocent , a man truly in love with his wife. Steve Marriott sings from his soul. ย The greatest singer in the English speaking world, bar none.
@jackjdolan
+halcyon289 Very insightful comments, great song so beautiful in it's simplicity.
@halcyon289
If you haven't already Jack, have a listen to it with some ear/headphones on . Amazing.
@bid84
Well said. You should check out" I've come back" by Maurice Gibb.. same kind of dreamy vibe.
@jackjdolan
Alan, Very pretty song with a slight psychedelic lean. I like how there's only harmony on the last word of the song, a perfect ending.
@jimdartouzos2127
halcyon289 that is a very nice, and very accurate description of this song..and group...love this song. very nice melody and rhythm, and the lyrics are sung with heavy, soulful, meaning...love the flute solo also....fits perfectly in this tune.....one of the most beautiful, and underrated songs ever....rest in peace ronnie and steve.
@thekarmafarmer608
Steve kept it real his whole life. Despite what many say, he was NOT underrated but highly thought of and NOT forgotten as some have said, he is WELL remembered. Tragic loss for us all. RIP
@deborahrobertson8606
God, those days! The brilliance of the creativity and FEELING that flowered in our beautiful country, then.
@janettucker2062
Steve one of the best voices ever, unappreciated even today. more people need to listen to him. rip loves you xx
@beverleyr2625
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!