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.
Understanding
The Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's one thing I can say
Some people believe just what I'm putting down
Understand your troubles away
[Chorus:]
You got to do this thing we're feeling
You got to know just what I'm meaning
Understanding, understanding
Yeah, alright alright
Hey hey
You see I love this life I lead
And I want to love it with you
But people you don't understand
Just what I'm putting down
There's no more I can do
[Chorus]
Yeah, alright, come on
Just don't lose it
Come on children, I want to hear you one more time
[Chorus]
You know what I'm singing about
My baby's gonna care, gonna make it alright
With a little understanding
We can make it through the night, yeah
Baby, baby give me some
You know I got to have some
All you know we need is just a little understanding
You can talk to me baby
Tell me what's on your mind
With a little understanding
Everything will be just fine
The Small Faces's song Understanding is all about love and the importance of understanding between two people. The opening lines of the song sets the tone for the lyrics as the singer says that when people ask him what love is all about, there's only one thing he can say, which is that understanding is the key to solving all troubles. The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of understanding by stating that you have to feel and know what the singer is trying to convey, and believe his words.
The singer goes on to express his love for the life he leads and how he wants to share it with his beloved, but people around him don't seem to understand his feelings for her. He sings that there's nothing more he can do than to hope for some understanding from others. In the next verse, he encourages his listeners to hold onto their understanding and keep the faith, for it's the only way they can make it through tough times.
Overall, Understanding is a song about love, faith, and the power of understanding in relationships. The singer is conveying the message that, to make a relationship work, both parties need to understand each other and have faith in their love. This song is a testament to the power of understanding, and the importance it holds in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
When people ask me what love's all about
Whenever someone questions about the concept of love
There's one thing I can say
I can give them one specific answer
Some people believe just what I'm putting down
A few individuals understand and agree with what I am expressing
Understand your troubles away
Clear away your problems by comprehending them
You got to do this thing we're feeling
Take action regarding the emotions we are experiencing
You got to know just what I'm meaning
Comprehend the message or essence of what I am communicating
You gotta believe just what I'm handing
Accept and adopt the concept or idea that I am presenting
Understanding, understanding
Knowledge or insight into something
You see I love this life I lead
I enjoy and cherish the way I am living
And I want to love it with you
I desire to share this life with you
But people you don't understand
However, not everyone comprehends
Just what I'm putting down
The message or idea that I am trying to express
There's no more I can do
There is nothing more that can be achieved or done
Yeah, alright, come on
An affirmation or agreement
Just don't lose it
Just be careful and vigilant
Come on children, I want to hear you one more time
Encouraging or requesting the audience to participate again
You know what I'm singing about
You are aware of the subject matter of this song
My baby's gonna care, gonna make it alright
My beloved will provide care and make everything well
With a little understanding
By having some comprehension or insight
We can make it through the night, yeah
We will be able to handle any setbacks or trials if we stick together
Baby, baby give me some
Referring to a request for love or affection
You know I got to have some
I need and desire it strongly
All you know we need is just a little understanding
All we require is some empathy or sympathy for each other
You can talk to me baby
You can converse with me calmly and comfortably
Tell me what's on your mind
Communicate or express what you are thinking about
With a little understanding
With a little comprehension or insight
Everything will be just fine
Everything will be okay or resolved positively
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RONNIE LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kukol
La la la
La la la
La la la
La la la
When people ask me what love's all about
There's one thing I can say
So people believe just what I'm putting down
Understand your troubles away
[Chorus:]
You got to do this thing with feeling
You got to know just what I'm meaning
You gotta believe just what I'm handing
Understanding, understanding
Ha, yeah, Ha, alright yeah
La la la. hey hey
La la la, Come on children, yeah
La la la, Alright yo!
La la la
You got to do this thing with feeling
You got to know just what I'm meaning
You gotta believe just what I'm handing
Understanding, understanding
Yes understanding, oh right
You see I love this life I live
And I want to love it with you
But people if you don't understand
Just what I'm, what i'm putting down
There's no more I can do
You got to do this thing with feeling
You got to know just what I'm meaning
You gotta believe just what I'm handing
Understanding, understanding
Ha, yeah, got to keep on movin'
La la la, Alright yeah
La la la, Come on children one more time
La la la, Alright oh
La la la, You know what i'm signing about
My babies up tight
@andershjemdahl6547
Awesome! First time I heard the original, I had only heard the Sex Pistols version before. Thanks for sharing!
@rnjddnushdjd
Sex pistols version is better
@Deena777
Another song I have never heard of by the Small Faces. Another hidden gem.
@hollyhockbaby1216
Ya
@darrylmcgarry5780
There are lots of little gems hidden done by The Small Faces. Definitely underrated on the international scene.
@greentambourine2323
Tremendous. Heard this on the Three Kings football documentary and had to seek it out. Bursting with 1960s energy!
@currypot1965
love this song,,what a superb B side,awesome
@armjos1
Out of all the MOD bands ive loved over the years the small faces are just the best. RIP STEVE AND RONNIE
@15chipshops
My favourite Small Faces Tune! Awesome!!!
@LQUID8R
yep without doubt the classiest B-side ... and probably only this Stevie and S.Winwood could have got away with that "come on children" line without embarrassing themselves