"Sha-La-La-La-Lee" is a song by the English rock band Small Faces. Released in January 1966, the single reached number three in the UK on the Record Retailer chart.[1] On the New Zealand listener chart it peaked at #8.[2] It was also the first single by the group to feature Ian McLagan on keyboards.
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.[3]
Although intended to have been released on 14 January 1966,[5] "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" was released on 28 January through Decca,[6][7] with "Grow Your Own" on the B-side.[8][nb 1] Hellier and Hewitt speculate that Arden made a few "arrangements" to ensure the single would become a hit, and that the band's hectic touring schedule played part.[10] As such, the Small Faces were called to perform on a few major television shows to promote the single, including Scene At 6:30 (26 January), Ready Steady Go! (28 January), Thank Your Lucky Stars (5 February) and Top of the Pops (17 February).[11] In the United States, the single was issued through London Records.[12][nb 2] In conjunction with the US release, Small Faces were filmed in London performing "Whatcha Gonna Do About It?" and "Sha-La-La-La Lee" for the American television show Where the Action Is.[13]
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.[3]
Following the huge success of this song, the band developed a large female fan base, like many of their contemporaries.[14] 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.[15]
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.[3]
↑ Anon. (14 May 1966). "Hits of the World"(PDF). Billboard. p.36. Archived(PDF) from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025– via WorldRadioHistory.
↑ Anon. (14 May 1966). "Hits of the World"(PDF). Billboard. p.39. Archived(PDF) from the original on 28 September 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025– via WorldRadioHistory.
↑ Anon. (12 March 1966). "Disc Weekly Top 30". Disc Weekly. p.12.
↑ Anon. (12 March 1966). "Melody Maker Pop 50"(PDF). Melody Maker. p.2. Archived(PDF) from the original on 21 December 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025– via WorldRadioHistory.
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