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

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.