1966 single by Small Faces

"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

Trade ad for the single

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

• Small Faces discography

Notes and references

Notes:

1. ^ 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.

2. ^ Hewitt, Paolo; Hellier, John (2004). Steve Marriott All Too Beautiful. p. 110. ISBN 1-900924-44-7.

3. ^ Paulo Hewitt (1995). Small Faces The Young Mods` Forgotten Story. pp. 53–56. ISBN 0-9523935-0-6.

4. ^ ad of Suzuki Alto Lapin on YouTube

5. ^ 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

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sha-La-La-La-Lee&oldid=1183056763"

Categories:

• 1966 singles
• Small Faces songs
• Songs with music by Mort Shuman
• 1966 songs
• Decca Records singles

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