Small Faces Single - "The Universal" (1968)
This page is a work in progress
This page is a work in progress
Small Faces Single The Universal 1968
Small Faces Single - "The Universal" 1968 - Denmark Cover
|
"The Universal"
B-Side: "Donkey Rides, A Penny, A Glass" released: June 28, 1968 charted: July 16, 1968 weeks on UK singles chart: 11 Peaked at # 16 |
"The Universal" is a UK single released by English R&B influenced group Small Faces on 28 June 1968 and reached number 16, staying in the top 40 for a total of 10 weeks.[1]
|
Small Faces Single - "The Universal" (1969)
|
Song profile
|
"The Universal" was originally titled by composer Steve Marriott as "Hello the Universal", but because of an error early in the single's production and manufacture the title was instead printed as the shorter "The Universal". Due to the costs involved in doing so, the error was never corrected.
A densely-lyrical song largely performed in an acoustic 'busking' style, the basic track of Marriott alone with an acoustic guitar was originally recorded by him 'on-the-fly' onto a portable tape machine, outdoors in the garden of his Essex home, Beehive Cottage. The lo-fi recording also picked up various ambient background noise such as birdsong, distant voices and car horns, and even the sound of the wind rumbling through the microphone. Marriott's dogs can also clearly be heard barking in the background (one of Marriott's dogs, Seamus, was also recorded howling in the studio for the Pink Floyd track of the same name, from their 1971 album Meddle). The Universal's lyrics involved complex wordplay and the vocal were delivered by Marriott in an uncharacteristically offhand but still tuneful singing style. The basic track was enhanced later in the recording studio with various overdubbed instruments that slowly gain prominence as the song progresses, particularly a loud bass drum and percussion whose persistent thud and crash during the latter half of the song add to the recording's 'one-man-band' atmosphere.[2]
Unusually for a Small Faces song of the period, keyboardist Ian McLagan was absent from the recording, having briefly fallen out with Marriott before the session.[3]
Following the success of the Small Faces' previous chart-topping single "Lazy Sunday", a song Marriott himself was dismissive of, he was especially disappointed that The Universal only reached number 16 in the UK Singles Chart, Marriott was quoted at the time as saying that he thought "The Universal" was the best song he had ever written.[4] He said of the song:
|
Small Face - "The Universal" Lyrics
There's such a lot of good ways to be bad
And so many bad ways to be good, haven't paid my rent yet I tell them "sorry but I haven't got the money anymore" Just for today I thought I'd leave home alone, hold hands with day And if I'm so bad, why don't they take me away? Just like what you hear with a shell pressed to your ear That's the sea in the trees in the morning Hello, The Universal Good morning Steve, well you won't believe me today Working doesn't seem to be the perfect thing for me so I'll continue to play And if I'm so bad why don't they take me away? Well, a hippy-trippy name-dropper came through my door He said "I just bumped into Mick he told me you know where to score?" No, not me friend, I mind my own and my own minds me Well, my love is at the foot of your hand, come what may But if June comes first please won't you take me away? |
People keep saying that "Universal" is a send-up of Dylan or the one-man band – they don't seem to realize that it's a serious record. This proves that they don't really listen to it because if they did they'd understand what it's all about. It's about getting up in the morning and going outside and saying hello to the Universe[5]
"The Universal" was the final authorized single released by Small Faces before they disbanded in 1969. Almost a year later, their record label Immediate would release a version of "Afterglow of Your Love" as the unauthorized final single by the group.
It has been suggested that Britpop band Blur's song of the same name was so titled in homage to this track. The band were said to also have been influenced by the Small Faces "Lazy Sunday" with their song, "Parklife", further adding to the speculation.
Personnel
Small Faces
Steve Marriott – acoustic and electric guitars, lead vocals
Ronnie Lane – bass guitar
Kenney Jones – drums, spoons, percussion
Other musicians
Don Fay – clarinet
Derek Wadsworth – trombone
Small Faces
Steve Marriott – acoustic and electric guitars, lead vocals
Ronnie Lane – bass guitar
Kenney Jones – drums, spoons, percussion
Other musicians
Don Fay – clarinet
Derek Wadsworth – trombone
You Are Here:
Small Faces Single - "The Universal" 1968
https://ronnielane.com/small-faces-single-the-universal-1968.html
Small Faces Single - "The Universal" 1968
https://ronnielane.com/small-faces-single-the-universal-1968.html
Ronnie Lane "Complete" Album Discography
https://www.ronnielane.com/ronnie-lane-complete-album-discography.html
https://www.ronnielane.com/ronnie-lane-complete-album-discography.html