Small Hours

Album: One World (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Small Hours" is an eight-and-a-half-minute rumination on life and love centered on the phrase "Keep on loving till your love is gone, keep on loving till your love is strong, all the way." It features keyboard work from Steve Winwood using a Moog, Martyn's Echoplex-treated guitar, and subtle background percussion.
  • Island Records founder Chris Blackwell recorded the song outdoors at his Theale, Berkshire, farm in the early hours. Listeners might pick out the sounds of geese in the background of the recording, as well as a passing train at the two-and-a-half-minute mark.
  • The song was later adapted and re-recorded by Martyn as "Anna" for the 1978 Australian feature film In Search of Anna. This version of "Anna" also appears on Martyn's live album Live At The Bottom Line, New York, 1983.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.