| "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Italian picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Small Faces | ||||
| B-side | "Grow Your Own" | |||
| Released | 28 January 1966 | |||
| Recorded | December 1965 | |||
| Studio | IBC, London | |||
| Genre | Rock, beat | |||
| Length | 2:56 | |||
| Label | Decca (US Press Records) | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
Kenny Lynch Mort Shuman | |||
| Producer(s) | Kenny Lynch | |||
| Small Faces singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Sha-La-La-La-Lee" was the third single by English R&B-influenced group Small Faces, recorded in December 1965 and released on 28 January 1966, reaching number three in the UK Singles Chart. [1] It was also the first single by the group to feature Ian McLagan on keyboards.
Background
Because Small Faces' previous song release, the Marriott/Lane composition " I've Got Mine," failed to chart in the UK, their manager, Don Arden, determined that the Small Faces would not be one hit wonders, decided to bring in well-known songwriters Kenny Lynch and Mort Shuman to make sure the group's next single would be a success. [1]
The commercial-sounding song proved a big hit and reached number three in the UK singles chart. [1] 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 R&B- and soul-oriented. [1]
Following the huge success of this song, the band developed a large female fan base, like many of their contemporaries. [2] This situation would ultimately end in Marriott becoming so disenchanted that he would leave The Small Faces in 1969 in a bid to be seen as a serious musician and form his next group, the heavier rock- and blues-sounding Humble Pie. [3]
Small Faces performed "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" live for the Dick Clark show in the United States, telerecorded from the UK. [1]
B-side
The B-side "Grow Your Own" written by the band, is an instrumental recording and strongly influenced in style by Booker T. & the M.G.'s, of whom all the group were big fans. "Grow Your Own" heavily features Ian McLagan on the Hammond organ. [1]
Usage
In Japan, "Sha-La-La-La-Lee", arranged to French pop style, was used for the advertisement of Suzuki Alto Lapin. [4]
It was used in the second episode of the first season of the 2019 British TV series, Sex Education.
Personnel
- Steve Marriott – lead and backing vocals, electric guitar
- Ronnie Lane – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Ian McLagan – Hammond organ, piano, backing vocals
- Kenney Jones – drums
- Kenny Lynch - backing vocals
Other recordings
- German band The Rattles released their cover version in February 1966 as The ´In´ Crowd, single Star Club Records 148 547, 02.1966.
- Yugoslav rock band Siluete covered this song with Serbo-Croatian lyrics under title "Tvoj rođendan" ("Your Birthday") in 1966. [5]
- Czech singer Václav Neckář also did a cover version for this song in Czech in 1966.
- Evelyne Courtois, a French female singer of the 1960s, covered the song in 1966 as "Ce N'est Pas Une Vie" under her stage name 'Pussy Cat'.
- Plastic Bertrand also released a cover version of this song in French in 1978.
See also
Notes and references
Notes:
- ^ a b c d e f "Small Faces Sha La La La Lee- Room for Ravers". Makingtime.co.uk. 28 January 1966. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- ^ Hewitt, Paolo; Hellier, John (2004). Steve Marriott All Too Beautiful. p. 110. ISBN 1-900924-44-7.
- ^ Paulo Hewitt (1995). Small Faces The Young Mods' Forgotten Story. pp. 53–56. ISBN 0-9523935-0-6.
- ^ ad of Suzuki Alto Lapin on YouTube
- ^ Janjatović, Petar (2007). EX YU ROCK enciklopedija 1960–2006. Belgrade: self-released. p. 207.
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
