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
What'Cha Gonna Do About It
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Want you to know that I care
I'm so happy when you're round me but I'm
Sad when you're not there
Sing the song now
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) oh yeah
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) tell the truth
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) she's so nice
(Whatcha gonna do about it?)
I want you to give your sweet, sweet kisses
Want you to hold me tight
I want you to come whenever I call you
And let me walk you home at night
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) eh, yeah
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) please answer my question, baby
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) she's so nice
(Whatcha gonna do about it?)
I want you to know that I love you, baby
I said this before but that I care
I'm so happy when you're round me but I'm
Sad when you're not there
Baby, there it comes again
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) oh yeah
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) 'cause I'm so crazy
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) you're too
(Whatcha gonna do about it?)
(Whatcha gonna do about it?)
The Small Faces' song "What'cha Gonna Do About It" is a classic love song about a man who wants his lover to know how much he loves and cares for her. He expresses his happiness and joy when she is around and his sadness when she is not. The chorus repeatedly asks what she is going to do about it, indicating the aching desire of the singer to know if the feelings are mutual.
The verses carry the same sentiment, with lines like "I want you to give your sweet, sweet kisses" and "I want you to come whenever I call you" conveying the longing desire of the singer. The repetition of the phrase "she's so nice" in the chorus adds a touch of wistful yearning to the song, reiterating the singer's admiration for his lover.
The upbeat tempo and catchy melody of "What'cha Gonna Do About It" combined with its timeless lyrics make it a timeless classic even today.
Line by Line Meaning
I want you to know that I love you, baby
I would like you to understand that my affection towards you is sincere and genuine, baby.
Want you to know that I care
It is imperative that you comprehend that I am deeply concerned and considerate of your well-being.
I'm so happy when you're round me but I'm Sad when you're not there
My joy knows no bounds when you are with me, but when you are absent, sadness engulfs me.
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) oh yeah
Tell me, what actions are you going to take regarding our relationship?
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) tell the truth
Your response should be honest and forthright.
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) she's so nice
Express your admiration for her unique qualities.
(Whatcha gonna do about it?)
Do not evade the question; provide me with a satisfactory answer.
I want you to give your sweet, sweet kisses
I yearn for your tender and affectionate kisses.
Want you to hold me tight
I desire for you to embrace me tightly with your arms of love.
I want you to come whenever I call you
I wish for you to be available to me at all times when I beckon you.
And let me walk you home at night
Allow me to accompany you on your journey home, especially at night for safety reasons.
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) please answer my question, baby
Kindly respond to my inquiry, my dear.
Baby, there it comes again
Once again, my emotions are resurfacing.
(Whatcha gonna do about it?) 'cause I'm so crazy
My feelings for you are so intense that I cannot contain them any longer.
you're too
It is now your turn to disclose your feelings towards me.
(Whatcha gonna do about it?)
Do not avoid the matter; provide me with a decisive answer.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BRIAN AUGUST POTTER, IAN RALPH SAMWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Susy D
Incredible sounds live! Thanks for this gem
flimbambo
Love the false drum start on this. Also, we can finally hear Ronnie's Solomon Burke- influenced bass line which you can't on the piss-poorly produced original.
Happiness Stan
I had the original French EP (until some twat stole it) and the version of Whatcha Gonna Do About It was exactly the same as the one released in Britain. The two tracks on the other side however were earlier alternate versions.
AnOpwriter
Great version but not the french EP one. It appeard in fact on a 70's LP.
kevin johansen
@Chris Dolmetsch which French lp?
Chris Dolmetsch
Right! This was a demo recorded at IBC and thought lost until it mysteriously showed up on the French album.