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
Yesterday Today and Tomorrow
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're so far away
Playing had no meaning for so long
When they're old and gray
They'll hide their minds away
Living for the dawn of tomorrow
Why do birds fly high,
straight up to the sky?
Can't feel alive
Do you see me?
What else will I see in you?
You must live your dreams
Can't you feel me?
So in love
Tomorrow
See me
Feel me
The lyrics of Small Faces' song "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" explore the themes of nostalgia, aging, and the importance of living in the present. The opening line "When the children play, you're so far away" highlights the idea that as we grow older, we tend to lose touch with the carefree and imaginative spirit of our childhood. The second line "Playing had no meaning for so long" suggests that as we become more focused on work and responsibilities, we forget what it means to simply enjoy life.
The lyrics then take a turn towards the future, speculating about what it will be like when the current generation of children grows old. "When they're old and gray, they'll hide their minds away/Living for the dawn of tomorrow" suggests that the future will be bleak, with people becoming more isolated, introverted, and disconnected from the world around them. The line "Why do birds fly high, straight up to the sky? Can't feel alive" seems to reflect a sense of disconnection from nature and the world around us, as if we are trapped in our own heads and unable to fully experience life.
The lyrics then shift to a more personal reflection, with the line "What else will I see in you?/You must live your dreams/Can't you feel me?/So in love/Tomorrow/See me/Feel me." This seems to suggest that the singer is talking to a loved one, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and live life to its fullest. The repeated use of the word "tomorrow" throughout the song highlights the importance of looking to the future, while also recognizing the value of the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
When the children play
The singer observes children at play.
You're so far away
The singer feels distant from the idea of play.
Playing had no meaning for so long
The singer has lost touch with the importance of play in their life.
When they're old and gray
The artist contemplates a future when the children will be old and no longer playful.
They'll hide their minds away
The elderly will suppress their thoughts and feelings.
Living for the dawn of tomorrow
The elderly will focus on surviving until the next day.
Why do birds fly high,
The singer ponders the behavior of birds.
straight up to the sky?
The artist wonders why birds fly upward.
Can't feel alive
The artist feels disconnected and numb.
Do you see me?
The artist is seeking validation and recognition from someone.
What else will I see in you?
The singer is exploring the depth of their connection with someone.
You must live your dreams
The artist urges someone to pursue their aspirations.
Can't you feel me?
The singer desires emotional connection.
So in love
The singer is deeply infatuated with someone.
Tomorrow
The singer references future prospects.
See me
The artist seeks visibility and attention.
Feel me
The artist seeks physical and emotional contact.
Writer(s): Stephen Peter Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Michael Kevin O. Sullivan
Contributed by Mila E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.