Sha-La-La-La-Lee

Single infobox
Name = Sha-La-La-La-Lee


Artist = Small Faces
from Album = Small Faces
B-side = "Grow Your Own"
Released = January 28 1966
Format = 7"
Recorded = 1966
Genre = Beat
British Invasion
Length = 2:56
Label = Decca Records
Writer = Kenny Lynch
Mort Shuman
Producer = Kenny Lynch
Certification =
Reviews =
Chart position = United Kingdom: #3
Last single = "I've Got Mine"
(1965)
This single = "Sha-La-La-La-Lee"
(1966)
Next single = "Hey Girl"
(1966)

"Sha-La-La-La-Lee" was the third song released by English R&B influenced group Small Faces on January 28, 1966 reaching number three in the UK Singles Chart. [ [http://www.makingtime.co.uk/rfr/shala.htm] retrieved 08/15/07 - Charting at number three in the UK singles chart.]

Due to the UK Chart failure of the group's previous song release, the Marriott/Lane composition "I've Got Mine" Don Arden decided to bring in well-known songwriters Kenny Lynch and Mort Shuman to make sure the group's next single was a success, determined that Small Faces not be one hit wonders. [ [http://www.makingtime.co.uk/rfr/shala.htm Small Faces Sha La La La Lee- Room for Ravers ] ]

The highly commercial sounding song proved a big hit and reached number three in the UK singles chart. ["Sha-La-La-La-Lee" hits number 3 in the UK Charts." [http://www.makingtime.co.uk/rfr/shala.htm] ] Despite the success of "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" the band never really liked the song and felt it did not represent their sound, which was more blues and soul oriented. ["Sha-la-la-la-lee, not representative of the band" [http://www.makingtime.co.uk/rfr/shala.htm] retrieved 08/15/07]

The song was seen by some as the beginning of the end for the Small Faces; it was following the release of this song that the group became often viewed in the music press as just another teenybopper band, who should not be taken as seriously as some of their contemporaries, such as The Who and Rolling Stones. Whereas previously their fans tended to be music-mad mods, their following now included young teenage girls who were more interested in the good looks of the young male musicians than in their music. At many of their concerts, the band could not even be heard above the girl fans' loud and constant screaming. [Steve Marriott All Too Beautiful ISBN 1900924447 p.110] This situation would ultimately end in Marriott becoming so disenchanted that he would finally leave The Small Faces in a bid to be seen as a serious musician and form his next group, the heavier rock and blues-sounding Humble Pie. ["Small Faces the young mods' forgotten story" (Paulo Hewitt) ISBN 0952393506 p.53-56]

Small Faces performed "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" live for the Dick Clark show in the United States, telerecorded from the UK. ["Small Faces appear live from UK on the Dick Clark Show, USA." [http://www.makingtime.co.uk/rfr/shala.htm] retrieved 08/15/07]

B-Side

The B-Side "Grow Your Own" written by the band, is much more in keeping with the Small Faces sound. The song is an instrumental recording and strongly influenced in style by Booker T. & the M.G.'s whom all the group were big fans. "Grow Your Own" heavily features Ian McLagan on the Hammond organ. [B-Side, "Grow Your Own" features Ian McLagan on the Hammond organ. / retrieved 08/15/07 [http://www.makingtime.co.uk/rfr/shala.htm] ]

ee also

*Small Faces discography

Notes/References

Notes:References:
*Paolo Hewitt John Hellier (2004). "Steve Marriott - All Too Beautiful...". Helter Skelter Publishing ISBN 1-900924-44-7.
*Paolo Hewitt/Kenney Jones (1995) "small faces the young mods' forgotten story" - Acid Jazz ISBN 0 9523935 0 6

External links

* [http://www.thesmallfaces.com/ Official Small Faces website]
* [http://www.stevemarriott.co.uk/ Official Steve Marriott website]
* [http://www.ronnie-lane.com/ Official Ronnie Lane website]