Due to the inexplicable failure of I've Got Mine
to chart, which was Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane's first attempt at writing a
hit single, Don Arden asked his in-house writers Kenny Lynch and Mort Shuman to
pen the lads a ready-made pop hit. Lynch even got to sing the falsetto backing,
which vied with Steve for domination on the chorus!
The band were not particularly fond of the number
as they felt it didn't truly represent their first love, blues and soul,
although Ronnie felt it stood up well as a 'nice little Saturday night dance
record'.
Still the public loved it and gave the Small
Faces their biggest hit yet, peaking at a respectable No 3 on the UK charts. The
NME even had them at number one! The group even did a live spot for the Dick
Clark Show in America, singing Sha La La La Lee and this was telerecorded
from the UK.
The
flip-side, Grow Your Own, was a Booker T and the MGs style instrumental,
which showcased new member Ian McLagen banging away on his Hammond. The song
title is open to suggestion, grown your own funk or grow your own grass? It was
hard to tell with these East End street urchins, but otherwise it made for a
very successful coupling.
(Darlings
of Wapping Wharf Launderette)
Sha La La La Lee live on German TV
Beat Beat Beat in 1966.
Netherlands
Collector's Info
Germany: Sha La La La Lee/Grow Your Own (Decca
DL25227)
USA:
Sha La La La Lee/Grow Your Own
New Musical Express, 28 January 1966
Small Faces - Infectious
A happy-go-lucky medium pacer in the r-and-b style. Written by Kenny Lynch and
Mort Shuman but (sorry fellers!) very similar to several discs we've heard
before.
You know that sort of things - the leader solos and - at the end of each line -
everyone joins in the catchy riff title phrase. But that doesn't stop it being
an enjoyable disc, which you feel compelled to join in. Specially as the Faces
are so enthusiastic in their work!
Flip: Organ takes the lead in this rave-up blues instrumental, with twangs
galore!
Chart Placings
Melody Maker
5 February 1966 - 44 (New entry)
12 February 1966 - 30
19 February 1966 - 16
26 February 1966 - 7
5 March 1966 - 4
12 March 1966 - 1
19 March 1966 - 3
26 March 1966 - 6
2 April 1966 - 12
9 April 1966 - 20
16 April 1966 - 29
New Musical Express
11 February 1966 - 20 (New entry
18 February 1966 - unknown
25 February 1966 - unknown
4 March 1966 - unknown
11 March 1966 - unknown
18 March 1966 - unknown
25 March 1966 - 7
1 April 1966 - 13
8 April 1966 - 21
15 April 1966 - 28
Record Mirror
12 February 1966 - 30 (New entry)
19 February 1966 - 18
26 February 1966 - 7
5 March 1966 - 5
12 March 1966 - 6
19 March 1966 - 3
26 March 1966 - 4
2 April 1966 - 7
9 April 1966 - 12
16 April 1966 - 24
23 April 1966 - 37
Record Mirror, 29 January 1966
Much better than their last, this is the Faces in bluesilly-trending mood, with
Steve Marriott singing very well, though remotely forced in some ways. Song is a
building with a conspicuous beat and a good overall sound. Certainly of strong
hit potential. And very exciting later on. Flip is similar but with accent on
organ and purely instrumental. Same beat, though. Same drive.
