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 Hungry Intruder
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tiny Fly
May I share your Shepherd's Pie?
What is this strange voice I hear?
Here I am
Look This Way
In the landscape on your tray
There's no need to ask a silly question
If I were you I hope you'd do the same
There's no doubt I'd help a hungry fly
To see you in a fix it's really such a shame
I'm so hungry
I could die
And now I'll a living fly
My name is Stan
I'm on a quest
Take your fill,
Take nothing less
I am that
That am I
And now I'll be a living fly
The lyrics of Hungry Intruder by Small Faces describe the perspective of a tiny fly who is seeking for food, and comes across what appears to be a delicious meal. In the beginning, the fly asks the person if they can share their shepherd's pie. The strange voice that the fly hears is likely the person speaking to them. The fly tells the person that there is no need to ask a silly question, implying that the fly is hungry and needs the food just like any other creature would.
The fly introduces itself as Stan and makes clear that it is on a mission to satiate its hunger. Stan insists on taking their fill and nothing less. In the final verse, Stan declares themselves to be "that am I", which can be interpreted as a reference to the philosophical concept of "I am that I am". The phrase implies a sense of self-actualization and self-realization, indicating that the fly is aware of its purpose and identity, and is determined to accomplish its goals even in the face of obstacles.
Overall, the lyrics of Hungry Intruder can be seen as a metaphor for the human struggle for survival and the pursuit of our most basic needs. The song emphasizes the importance of persistence and determination in the face of adversity and encourages us to follow our own paths and identities.
Line by Line Meaning
Here am I
The singer is introducing themselves
Tiny Fly
The singer is describing themselves as a small fly
May I share your Shepherd's Pie?
The singer is asking for a bit of food
What is this strange voice I hear?
The artist is wondering about an unfamiliar sound
Here I am
The artist is identifying themselves
Look This Way
The singer is asking to be seen
In the landscape on your tray
The singer is referring to their surroundings
There's no need to ask a silly question
The artist is telling the listener not to be hesitant
If I were you I hope you'd do the same
The artist is expressing their desire for help if they were in the listener's position
There's no doubt I'd help a hungry fly
The artist is saying they would assist someone in need
To see you in a fix it's really such a shame
The singer is expressing their sadness at seeing the listener in a difficult situation
I'm so hungry
The artist is expressing their current state
I could die
The singer is saying they are extremely hungry
And now I'll a living fly
The singer is saying they will continue to live despite their hunger
My name is Stan
The singer is introducing themselves
I'm on a quest
The artist is saying they have a mission or goal
Take your fill,
The artist is telling the listener to eat to their heart's content
Take nothing less
The singer is telling the listener not to settle for anything less than what they want
I am that
The singer is affirming their identity or existence
That am I
The artist is reiterating their identity or existence
And now I'll be a living fly
The artist is saying they will continue on living despite their hunger
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN MCLAGAN, RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gerry Radford
Saw them in the 60 s. Total talent. From the first song to the last ,,, unforgettable. G GENIUS
Ernesto Ibarra
Lucky you Gerry !
kweejibo Dalí
Lucky you ❤
I was just being born 66, the year of some greatest music !
Is year of the fire horse
Great year
And it shows in its music
Ruth GS
La energía y el entusiasmo con que Ronnie toca 1:12 y la forma en que el grupo disfrutaba haciendo música. Un sello muy distintivo de SF. Excelentes músicos. Un gran aplauso a donde quiera que estén. Kenny and RIP Steve,Ronnie and Ian.
Arnoldo de la Garza
One of the best bands ever!!! God save them.
Arnoldo de la Garza
What a wonderful band... One of the best ever!!! Long Live Small Faces' Music!
C Preston
Absolutely gorgeous vocals. Brilliant song that has stood the sense of time.
Debracadabrah
Couldn't agree more!!!! Not only are these guys the most underrated band ever, they are simply the best band ever! No one can match their blend of raw energy, soul and confidence. Pure joy! Marriot has to be the coolest guy to ever strut the stage.
Linda Jones
Don't understand why people say these guys were underrated. They weren't/aren't by their fans, brilliant band. RIP Steve and Ronnie. xx
Tarn Sand
Linda Jones The word 'underrated' is overused.