“Tin Soldier” (live, 1991) by The Paul Weller Movement
originally from the Small Faces Album, Small Faces (1967)
We had a bit of a hiatus for a few weeks, but we’re back with Weller Wednesday. This is where we celebrate, listen to, and learn about All Things Paul Weller. This week we turn our ears and eyes to a live Small Faces Cover from 1991, with Paul Weller’s Live Version of “Tin Soldier”.
“Tin Soldier” was originally released by Small Faces in December of 1967. It was written by Steve Marriott (credited to Marriott/Lane). The Single reached #9 on the UK Singles Chart and reached #38 in Canada. (from Wikipedia)
“Tin Soldier” by Small Faces
“Tin Soldier” was originally written by Steve Marriott for singer P.P. Arnold, but Marriott liked it so much he kept it himself. It was a song that he wrote to his first wife, Jenny Rylance. P.P. Arnold can be heard singing backing vocals on the song. The song signaled a return to the band’s R&B roots whilst continuing their forays into psychedelic rock and other musical experiments.
When “Tin Soldier” was released the BBC informed the band that the last line of the song had to be removed from all TV and radio broadcasts, mistakenly believing that Marriott sang “sleep with you”, when in fact the lyric is “sit with you”. Marriott explained that the song was about getting into someone’s mind—not their body.
The Song reached #9 on the UK Singles Chart and remains one of Small Faces’ best-known songs.
Talking about the song, and the influence of his wife Jenny, Marriott stated:
The meaning of the song is about getting into somebody’s mind—not their body. It refers to a girl I used to talk to all the time and she really gave me a buzz. The single was to give her a buzz in return and maybe other people as well. I dig it. There’s no great message really and no physical scenes.
“Tin Soldier” has been covered by many other notable Musicians, including Paul Weller.
Paul Weller played Small Faces’ “Tin Soldier” (see Video above) live during his Movement tour at Brixton Academy. taken from the VHS Paul Weller Movement Live 1991
Paul Weller (as The Paul Weller Movement) also performed his Cover Version of “Tin Soldier” on the Jonathan Ross Show the same year.
“Tin Soldier” (live, 1991) by The Paul Weller Movement
Hope you enjoy this Week’s Weller Wednesday feature and that you come back next week to see what’s up next from Paul Weller. Feel free to share your thoughts, and Weller requests in the comments below.
