Small Faces were an influential British mod… Read Full Bio ↴Correct tag: Small Faces
Small Faces were an influential British mod/psychedelic band of the 1960s, led by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane with Kenney Jones and Ian MacLagan (who replaced original organist Jimmy Winston). The Small Faces were all genuine East End mods and they ranked second to The Who as Britain's premier Mod band. 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 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.
Lazy Sunday
The Small Faces Lyrics
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But they make it very clear, yhey've got no room for ravers
They stop me from groovin', they bang on me wall
They doing me crust in, it's no good at all, ah
Lazy Sunday afternoon
I've got no mind to worry
I close my eyes and drift away-a
Here we all are sittin' in a rainbow
(Tweedle-dee) I'll sing you a song with no words and no tune (twiddly-dee)
To sing in your party while you souse at the moon (oh yeah)
Lazy Sunday afternoon, I've got no mind to worry
Close my eyes and drift away-a
Root-de-doo-de-doo, a-root-de-doot-de-doy-di
A-root-de-doot-de-dum, a-ree-de-dee-de-doo-dee (doo-doo, doo-doo)
There's no one to hear me, there's nothing to say
And no one can stop me from feeling this way, yeah
Lazy Sunday afternoon
I've got no mind to worry
Close my eyes and drift away
Lazy Sunday afternoon
I've got no mind to worry
Close my eyes and drift a-
Close my mind and drift away, close my eyes and drift away
The lyrics to The Small Faces' song "Lazy Sunday" describe the frustration of living in a cramped living space where the neighbors are not accepting of the singer's love for music and dancing. The singer longs for the simple pleasure of getting along with his neighbors and being able to groove to his music without any hindrances. However, the neighbors oppose the singer's enthusiasm and try to stop him through banging on the walls, causing the singer to worry and feel immobile.
Despite these difficulties, the singer finds solace in a "lazy Sunday afternoon," where he can escape his worries and drift away into a dreamlike state. The singer's references to a "rainbow" and the saying "Gor blimey" allude to the colorful and whimsical nature of his imagination. Additionally, the lyrics mention a Mrs. Jones and her husband Bert, who is suffering from lumbago. This reference provides a comical touch to the lyrics and emphasizes the singer's desire to escape from the dullness of his everyday life.
"Lazy Sunday" is a melancholic yet playful song with a soothing melody, allowing for the listener to unwind and forget about their worries. The lyrics highlight the importance of taking a break from everyday life and letting one's imagination run free.
Line by Line Meaning
A-wouldn't it be nice to get on with me neighbours?
I wish I could get along with my neighbors.
But they make it very clear, they've got no room for ravers
My neighbors don't like me partying and having fun.
They stop me from groovin', they bang on me wall
My neighbors complain and disrupt my music and dance.
They doing me crust in, it's no good at all, ah
Their behavior upsets me and it's not good for me.
Lazy Sunday afternoon
I'm relaxing on a Sunday afternoon.
I've got no mind to worry
I don't want to worry about anything.
I close my eyes and drift away-a
I'm letting go of everything and just relaxing.
Here we all are sittin' in a rainbow
I'm with my friends in a fun and colorful environment.
Gor blimey, hello Mrs. Jones, how's old Bert's lumbago? (he mustn't grumble)
I'm greeting my friend's mother and asking about her husband's back pain.
(Tweedle-dee) I'll sing you a song with no words and no tune (twiddly-dee)
I will perform a silly song with no melody or lyrics for you.
To sing in your party while you souse at the moon (oh yeah)
You can play this song at your gatherings while drinking and having fun.
Root-de-doo-de-doo, a-root-de-doot-de-doy-di
Nonsensical words used to mimic music and sound.
A-root-de-doot-de-dum, a-ree-de-dee-de-doo-dee (doo-doo, doo-doo)
More nonsense words used to mimic music and sound.
There's no one to hear me, there's nothing to say
I'm all alone and there's no one to talk to.
And no one can stop me from feeling this way, yeah
No one can change my mood or feelings.
Close my mind and drift away, close my eyes and drift away
I'm letting go of everything, even my thoughts, and just relaxing.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OldmanGee
Stevie Marriot legend needs more recognition I think❤
@derby2510
They’re damn good! The Small Faces sound damn good!
@positiveenergyandhealing4486
If this song doesn’t scream London, 60s then I don’t know what does. What a classic, what a voice. Lucky for us German telly captured this performance for us to watch all these years later.
@mariadaugbjerg6141
You are so right : It SCREAMS London - i mean it can not be more British than this .Love it .I am from Denmark , but i am an anglophile , and there is no cure for that .LOL . :-D
@davechae5890
Wowewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
@davechae5890
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwww
@friedhelm5344
Der legendäre Beat-Club von Radio Bremen mit der Ikone Uschi Nerke :-)
@violetskye5148
👄” SMALLL FACESSS “ yes I definitely heard the echo ….. London London London ✌🏽✌🏽💕
@miz_logo_lee
Steve Marriot had the sweetest smile.
@Mrfairchap
Was there ever, in the entire history of Rock, a more underrated group or lead singer? I don't believe so.