Wham
Small Faces Lyrics
She was a lady of charm
String of young boys on each arm
She was good to those who took off all their clothes and played guitar
Love comes love goes anyway your mind blows
Wham, bam, thank you, mam
We'll boogie till the rooster crows
He lived alone, love for none
He said pain never hurt anyone
Surprise surprise
Stretcher out the door and that was it
God forsaken empty shell forgotten in a bad smell
Wham, bam, look out, Sam
The devil claims his own to moan in hell
Shang-a-lang-a, Shang-a-do-lang, Shang-a-lang-a
Sa-i-di ma-moon, sa-i-di ma-moon, Sa-i-di gris gris
Just hold your breath, and close your eyes
Turn the corner of surprise, and there you are
Our lives are run by ego freaks
A walking book of rules who seems
To keep you in your pidgeon holes
And fuss when your soul steps out of line
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Small Faces were an influential British mod/psychedelic band of the 1960s, led by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane with Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan (who replaced original organist Jimmy Winston). The Small Faces were all genuine East End mods . They were signed to Decca records initially and enjoyed major success across Europe between 1965 and 1967 with classic singles like "All or Nothing" and "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" before moving to a new label.
By late 1967 Read Full BioSmall Faces were an influential British mod/psychedelic band of the 1960s, led by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane with Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan (who replaced original organist Jimmy Winston). The Small Faces were all genuine East End mods . They were signed to Decca records initially and enjoyed major success across Europe between 1965 and 1967 with classic singles like "All or Nothing" and "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" before moving to a new label.
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
By late 1967 Read Full BioSmall Faces were an influential British mod/psychedelic band of the 1960s, led by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane with Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan (who replaced original organist Jimmy Winston). The Small Faces were all genuine East End mods . They were signed to Decca records initially and enjoyed major success across Europe between 1965 and 1967 with classic singles like "All or Nothing" and "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" before moving to a new label.
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
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John Paul Harrison
Well she was a lady of charm
A string of young boys on each arm
She was good to those who took of all their clothes
Or played guitar
Love comes, days go, any ways your mind blows
Wham bam, thank you mam
We'll boogie till the rooster crows
Oh yeah
We lived this way for so long
You said pain never hurt anyone
Oh no no no
Surprise surprise, sunshine on the floor
Stretcher out the door
And that was it it it
God forsaken empty shell forgotten in a bad smell
Wham bam look out sam the devil claims his own to mourn in hell
Sha la la la Shang a dorang shang a lang lang
Shang a lang mama, Sing it mama
Say it yes yes
Close your breath and hold your eyes
Turn the corner, a surprise, and there you are
Well, our lives are run by ego freaks
A walking book of rules he seeks
To keep you in your pigeon hole
And bash you if your soul steps out of line
C'mon !!
Harry Roberts
Well she was a lady of charm
A prisoner of songs unsung
She was just a face that took
All her groovin' on his guitar
Hot cars, strange clothes, any ways your mind goes
Wham team, thank you mam
We'll boogie till the rooster crows
Oh yeah
We lived this way for so long
You said babe, never got it on
Oh no no no
Surprise surprise, I thought you ought to know
He chucked her out the door
Without a cent (cent, cent)
Papa said grab your share but don't give a bad smell
Wham team god damn the devil planks
And wants some more yeah yeah
Sha la la la Shang a dorang shang a lang lang
Shang a lang mama, Sing it mama
Say it yes yes
Close your breath and hold your eyes
Turn the corner, a surprise, and there you are
Well, Id like to know why those old freaks
While walkin' through their moves
He seeks to keep you in your stick hole
And bash away your soul, surprise
C'mon..!!!
Mne Nadoelo
The band were unreal. Kenny's drumming on this especially the last minute is unbelievable, marriots voice, the key parts and the and inventive bass bouncing around......just mental good
Janet Brewster
It's like a hint of what was coming with Humble Pie. So heavy for 1968 and with that nasty slide too....ooh baby
Rob Jones
Stevie has been gone for thirty years now, but he will still remain the ultimate Mod. A fantastic song.
What a great, great vocalist. Gone, never to be forgotten.
Julian Vickery
Hard to believe that this was a B-side to the "Afterglow of Your Love" single in 1969, but it was. Rest in Peace Steve, thanks for all the wonderful music you created during your time on this earth. 26 years and counting as of today but certainly not forgotten.
Robin Wilson
What I don't understand is why Steve Marriott had so little success after Small Faces, and, if you must, Humble Pie 😋
Rory Clarke
Vote up if you think Steve Marriott is a legend
Oisin Byrne
this isnt reddit lad
Llwyd E
@Mark Macdonald well said...there was working class confidence. I was WC, I had it, still do.
Revolt live Rocks in Maryland
I do not Think he is , .... I KNOW HE IS.
Mark Macdonald
They were all great. I think it was more than one person effort. I may be wrong. Playing the guitar I love the support and McLagan's organ (if you know what I mean)gave the sound and Ronnie Lane was a talented songwriter and Jones went on to play for The Who. But they were best as The Small Faces and they really seem to represent that change in society or the breakdown in the class system where being working class meant you where good at something. Whereas nowadays you get a zero hour contract or work through an agency. They have a confident optimism that created a wealth of genuinely great music. The other thing I think that when these guys were young there was no telly so learning how to play an instrument along with some music theory was a must. A lot of the bands at this time managed to improve and change very quickly were as bands more recently can play the exact same style for 20- 30yrs. This was a great time and the Small Faces could hold their own.