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
You Better Believe It
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better believe it (You better believe it)
If somebody says she's a whole lot worth
You better believe it (You better believe it)
Since I saw that girl I can't get away
Now I gotta see her every day
You better believe it (You better believe it)
Said you better believe it (You better believe it)
Do I get a feeling when I kiss her goodnight?
You better believe it (You better believe it)
Is she on my mind whenever she's out of sight?
You better believe it (You better believe it)
I'm so happy when my girl's about
She can stop the rain and make the sun come out
You better believe it (You better believe it)
Said you better believe it (You better believe it)
Come on childre alright
You better believe it (You better believe it)
I said you better believe it (You better believe it)
Do I get a feeling when I kiss her goodnight?
You better believe it (You better believe it)
Is she on my mind whenever she's out of sight?
You better believe it (You better believe it)
When my baby looks at me you know she starts to flame
If I loose that girl I'm gonna go insane
You better believe it (You better believe it) alright
I said you better believe it (You better believe it)
You better believe it (You better believe it)
You better believe it (You better believe it)
In this song, Small Faces talk about their deep love for a girl and the intense feelings that come with being in love. The chorus emphasizes how strongly they feel about her and the certainty that they have when discussing their feelings for her. The first verse talks about how they are constantly thinking about this girl and how they have to see her every day. The second verse asks a rhetorical question about whether they have strong feelings for her and if she is always on their mind, and they give an affirming response.
The third verse talks about how happy they feel when they are around this girl, comparing her to being able to make the sun come out when she's near. The bridge adds a sense of urgency to the song, declaring that if they were to lose this girl, they would go insane. Overall, the song is an upbeat and joyful declaration of love.
Line by Line Meaning
If somebody asks me if I love that girl
If someone inquires about my affection for that girl
You better believe it (You better believe it)
You can rest assured that it's true
If somebody says she's a whole lot worth
If someone claims that she is of great value
Since I saw that girl I can't get away
Ever since I came across that girl, I can't seem to distance myself
Now I gotta see her every day
Now I have to see her every day
Said you better believe it (You better believe it)
Restated meaning of line 2
Do I get a feeling when I kiss her goodnight?
Do I get a sensation when I kiss her goodnight?
Is she on my mind whenever she's out of sight?
Does she constantly occupy my thoughts when she's not around?
I'm so happy when my girl's about
I feel ecstatic whenever my girlfriend is around
She can stop the rain and make the sun come out
She possesses the ability to bring joy and happiness
Come on childre alright
Untranslatable
Do I get a feeling when I kiss her goodnight?
Do I get a sensation when I kiss her goodnight?
Is she on my mind whenever she's out of sight?
Does she constantly occupy my thoughts when she's not around?
When my baby looks at me you know she starts to flame
When my girlfriend looks at me, you can tell that she is attracted to me
If I lose that girl I'm gonna go insane
If I lose that girl, I am going to become mentally unstable
You better believe it (You better believe it) alright
Restated meaning of line 2 with added affirmation
I said you better believe it (You better believe it)
Reiterated meaning of line 2
You better believe it (You better believe it)
Reiterated meaning of line 2
You better believe it (You better believe it)
Reiterated meaning of line 2
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
electricrussell
I love the relentless euphoria of this song.
flashingarrows
One of the best bands ever,
Darren thorne
flashingarrows .........the best band ever 👍
Design Guru
This tune is so influential to all modern music, one of my all time awesome songs!!
Jeff Dawson
Steve had the intonation and grit.
Kathryn Rimmington
I had this album; it was amazing.
Abel Sr
Damn, these guys were good. It's a crime that they aren't regularly played on so-called "classic rock" radio.
sojnab1
great song from a great band
mathew gray
What a voice
Kevin Penney Kevin Penney
A Great band in the right time for the sixties..