60s Psychedelic: #15 "Itchycoo Park" Small Faces (1967)

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Small Faces may be the ultimate British mod psychedelic band whose classic lineup was Steve Marriott (guitar, vocals), Ronnie Lane (bass), Kenney Jones (drums) and Ian McLaglen (keyboards). The group was short-lived breaking up when Marriott left to form Humble Pie in 1969. However, Faces was born with the additions of Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. “Over bridge of sighs To rest my eyes in shades of green Under dreaming spires To Itchycoo Park, that’s where I’ve been” Written by Marriott and Lane, “Itchycoo Park” first appeared on the album “There are But Four Small Faces.” Lane was principle writer and inspiration came from a brochure extolling Oxford’s gleaming spires. Interpretation and where exactly is Itchycoo Park has long been debated and the band was always cagey about it. There really is an Itchycoo Park but Marriott said their song was about a different park in London. The song is noted for an audio effect called flanging. “Itchycoo Park” charted #3 in the UK and #16 in the US. Small Faces were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.