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
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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.
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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.
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Things Are Going to Get Better
Small Faces Lyrics
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Times change, better later than never
Being true to myself
Makes me see all the more
Things are going to get better
Times fly, so don't you upset her
And I know how I feel
And it's time for a change
I said I knew it, I want to tell everybody
The moment that I met her
And it seems that my mind
Has survived on its own
Things are going to get better
In "Things are Going to Get Better," Small Faces conveys a sense of hope and optimism for the future. The lyrics suggest that the current situation may not be ideal, but things will improve in time. The phrase "times change, better later than never" suggests that it's never too late to make a positive change in one's life. The singer emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and remaining confident in the face of adversity. Continuing with positive and uplifting language, the lyrics tell the listener to not upset time in any way, for it flies by.
The verse "And I know how I feel, And it's time for a change” presents a sense of clarity and certainty, indicating that the singer has a plan to make the future better. It may be that the singer is addressing someone in their life, convincing them that it's time to make significant changes as a team.
The chorus of the song, "Things are going to get better," is the optimistic theme of the song that in all ways gives the listener encouragement to stick through and trust that time will bring a positive change. The final verse tells the audience that the singer has met someone who has been a positive influence on their mind and has made them think that things will change for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Things are going to get better
The singer believes that the future will be brighter than the present
Times change, better later than never
The singer acknowledges that change takes time, but it's better to change late than never change at all
Being true to myself
The singer values authenticity and being true to their own beliefs and values
Makes me see all the more
Authenticity makes it easier for the artist to see things clearly and with greater clarity
Times fly, so don't you upset her
Time passes quickly, so don't waste it by getting upset or angry at someone else
And I know how I feel
The singer is confident in their own emotions and feelings
And it's time for a change
The singer recognizes the need for change
I said I knew it, I want to tell everybody
The artist is eager to share their optimism and belief that things will improve with everyone they know
The moment that I met her
The artist is referring to a specific moment in their past when they experienced a positive change
And it seems that my mind has survived on its own
The artist has relied on their own thoughts and beliefs to get through difficult times and have come out stronger
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONALD LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind