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
Tin Soldier
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are a look in your eye
A dream passing by in the sky
I don't understand
And all I need is treat me like a man
'Cause I ain't no child
Take me like I am
I got to know that I belong to you
Sing any so song that you want me to sing to you
I don't need no aggravation
I just got to make you
I just got to make you my occupation, oh yeah
(I got to know that I belong to you)
(Do anything that you want to do)
(Sing any so song that you want me to sing to you)
All I need is your whispered hello
Smiles melting the snow, nothing heard
Your eyes, they're deeper than time
Say a love that won't rhyme without words
So now I've lost my way
I need help to show me things to say
Give me your love before mine fades away, yeah, baby
(I got to know that I belong to you)
(Do anything that you want to do)
(Sing any so song that you want me to sing to you)
Oh, no, no
Oh, no
I just want some reaction
Someone to give me satisfaction
All I want to do is stick with you,'cause I love you
The lyrics to Small Faces’ song Tin Soldier can be interpreted to be about unrequited love and the longing for acceptance and validation from the person the singer loves. The song starts off with the singer identifying themselves as a “little tin soldier” who wants to jump into their love interest’s fire. The persona sees themselves as small and insignificant, but they have strong feelings for the other person. The singer acknowledges their love interest’s beauty and mystique, but they also express their confusion and need for clarity. They want to be treated like a man, not a child, and they want to belong to the other person. The persona is willing to do anything for them and sing them any song they desire.
The second verse emphasizes the allure of the love interest’s eyes that are “deeper than time” and speaks of a love that cannot be described in words. The singer seems lost, and they need help in finding the right words to express their feelings. They fear that their love will fade away, and they want to be given their object of affection’s love before it's too late. The last verse of the song speaks to the persona’s need for validation and acceptance from their love interest. They don’t want aggravation but crave satisfaction, and they want to stick with the person they love.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a little tin soldier that wants to jump into your fire
I am small and insignificant, but I have a strong desire to be close to you, even if it means risking my well-being
You are a look in your eye
You have an intense and captivating gaze
A dream passing by in the sky
You are like an ethereal being or a fleeting vision that I can barely grasp
I don't understand
I am confused and uncertain about how to approach you or what you want from me
And all I need is treat me like a man
I want to be respected and treated as an equal, instead of being patronized or pitied
'Cause I ain't no child
I am a grown-up with my own needs and desires, not a helpless or immature person
Take me like I am
Accept me for who I am, with all my flaws and quirks
I got to know that I belong to you
I want to feel a sense of belonging and attachment to you, to be more than just a passing fancy
Do anything that you want to do
I am willing to please you and comply with your wishes, as long as you reciprocate my feelings
Sing any so song that you want me to sing to you
I am willing to express my love and devotion to you in any way possible, even if it requires me to sing or perform for you
I don't need no aggravation
I don't want any unnecessary drama, conflict, or stress in our relationship
I just got to make you
You are my top priority and my main goal, I want to win your heart and affection
I just got to make you my occupation, oh yeah
I want to devote all my time, energy, and attention to you, as if you were my job or career
(I got to know that I belong to you)
I want to feel secure and valued in our relationship, to know that you are committed to me and not just using me for fun or convenience
(Do anything that you want to do)
I trust you and respect your autonomy, I don't want to impose any limits or conditions on your freedom or creativity
(Sing any so song that you want me to sing to you)
I am not afraid to express my vulnerability or emotions, I want to use my voice and my heart to connect with you on a deeper level
All I need is your whispered hello
I crave your attention and affection, even the smallest gesture or word from you can make me happy
Smiles melting the snow, nothing heard
Your smile is so warm and inviting that it can melt even the coldest of hearts, it speaks volumes without saying anything explicitly
Your eyes, they're deeper than time
Your eyes are like two windows to your soul, they reveal a depth and a wisdom that transcends the limits of time and space
Say a love that won't rhyme without words
Our love is so intense and unique that it cannot be encapsulated or expressed fully by mere words or clichés
So now I've lost my way
I feel confused and bewildered by the complexity and unpredictability of our relationship, I don't know where we stand or where we are heading
I need help to show me things to say
I want your guidance and your feedback, I need you to tell me what you expect or desire from me so that I can improve or adjust accordingly
Give me your love before mine fades away, yeah, baby
I am afraid that my love for you might diminish or vanish if you don't reciprocate it, I need reassurance and affection from you to sustain our bond and keep it alive
(Oh, no, no)
I am expressing my disappointment or frustration at something that happened or that you did
(Oh, no)
I am emphasizing my negative emotion or my disbelief at what is going on
I just want some reaction
I am looking for some feedback or acknowledgement from you, I want to know if you feel the same way or if you care about me at all
Someone to give me satisfaction
I need someone to fulfill my emotional and physical needs, to make me happy and content
All I want to do is stick with you,'cause I love you
I am committed to you and to our relationship, I want to stay loyal and devoted to you, even if it means putting up with some hardships or obstacles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronnie Lane, Steve Marriott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cwade3198
Steve Marriott was the ultimate front man. A giant talent that never got the credit he deserved. YouTube is a godsend. To be able to go into this musical time machine. RIP Steve. You are a legend!
@seaside456
Totally agree.I only discovered his music a year ago,listen to it all the time now.I don’t think he would have fitted in with The Rolling Stones, him and Mick Jagger never hit it off.
@harmannuslouwes1306
I totally agree with you. I can look back into the 60ies when I was a kid thanks to internet, and feel young again. P.S. I did not like the Rolling Stones then, but do now.
@richardwelton459
agree and I'm a lifelong Stones fan having first seen them in 1962
@3155woody
Yep. Marriott the most under rated man in rock.
@bridudrum
One of the greatest rock voices ever. Up there with Robert Plant, Paul Rogers
@mollyscot1563
Look at what is in the charts now. Look and weep for mankind. This is perfection
@NilsMontanEsq
I hate to be a cranky old man here - but today's pop music is shit.
@yvonnetaylor36
Your so right
@a.tanner8524
Unfortunately you’re right.