THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

565-Faces-Pool Hall Richard.

1973-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 4.20. If you don’t think the song is ‘SMASHING’ by now you never will.

Faces were formed in 1969 after Steve Marriott (1947-1991) left the Small Faces (see also best songs 1048 and 872) to form Humble Pie. The remaining three Small Faces, Ian McLagan (1945-2014,) (keyboards,) Ronnie Lane (1946-1997,) (bass guitar, and vocals,) and Kenney Jones (drums,) joined with Ronnie Wood (guitar,) and Rod Stewart (vocals,) who had both just left ‘The Jeff Beck Group,’ to form the Faces. The new bands record label wanted to stick with the ‘Small Faces’ name for marketing purposes, but the group insisted on dropping the ‘Small,’ stating that the new members Wood, and Stewart were 5’9” and 5’10” respectively.

The Faces (see also best songs 70) were active until 1975 releasing four studio Albums, and 10 singles. of which four entered the UK top 20. As well as being the bands lead singer, Rod Stewart (see also best songs 965-206-179-70 and 34) also had a very successful solo career running concurrently with his time with the Faces. Ronnie Lane left the band shortly before the recording of this song, stating his frustration at, has he saw it, the lack of opportunities to contribute new songs, and take the lead vocal, Lane would later develop multiple sclerosis, and he passed away on June 4th, 1997.Lane was replaced by the Japanese bass guitarist Tetsu Yamauchi, who played on this song, and the bands final Album release, the live recording ‘Coast to Coast; Overture and Beginners,’ from 1974. In 1978 drummer Kenney Jones joined The Who as the replacement for the recently deceased Keith Moon, Ronnie Wood joined The Rolling Stones, and has played on all 11 of their studio Albums since 1976, and keyboard player Ian McLagan also joined The Rolling Stones as part of their touring band, as well as playing electric piano on their 1978 single ‘Miss You’ (see also best songs 160.)

‘Pool Hall Richard’ was released as a stand alone single in 1973, and was co-written by Rod Stewart, and Ronnie Wood. The songs narrator is a pool player, but knows he has met his match in his opponent, who goes by the nickname of ‘Pool Hall Richard.’ He is in awe of his talent, and also thinks that he could take his lady as well, if he wanted to.

‘You ought to hear the silence when the kid walks in, his reputation’s bigger than gasoline. I don’t mind but he’s tryin’ to fill my lady too.’