Stepping Stone
Duffy Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I remember way back way back when
I said I never wanna see your face again
Cause you were loving yes you were loving somebody else
And I knew oh yes I knew I couldn't control myself
And now they bring you back into my life again
And so I put on a face just like your friends
But I think you know oh yes you know whats going on
Cause the feelings in me oh yes in me are burning strong

But I will never be your stepping stone
Take it all or leave me alone
I will never be your stepping stone
I'm standing upright on my own

You used call me up from time to time
And it would be so hard for me not to cross the line
The words of love lay on my lips just like a curse
And I knew oh yes I knew they'd only make it worse
And now you have the nerve to play along
Just like the maestro beats in your song
You get your kicks you get your kicks from playing me
And the less you give the more I want so foolishly

But I will never be your stepping stone
Take it all or leave me alone
I will never be your stepping stone
I'm standing upright on my own

But I will never be your stepping stone
Take it all or leave me alone
I will never be your stepping stone
I'm standing upright on my own

But I will never be your stepping stone
Take it all or leave me alone




I will never be your stepping stone
I'm standing upright on my own

Overall Meaning

In the song "Stepping Stone" by Duffy, the lyrics tell a story about a past love interest who has returned to the singer's life. The singer is hesitant about reconnecting with this person because in the past, this person was loving somebody else while also leading the singer on. The singer knew that they couldn't control their feelings and kept getting hurt in the process.


Now, the person has come back into the singer's life, and the singer is putting on a facade to keep up with their friends. However, the singer knows that the feelings inside of them are strong and that the person knows what's going on. The singer knows that they cannot be used as a stepping stone anymore and will not tolerate being mistreated. The singer is confidently standing up for themselves and refusing to be used by this person anymore.


Overall, the message of the song is about standing up for oneself and refusing to be used or mistreated by someone who doesn't truly value them. It's about taking control of your own life and not being swayed by the desires of others.


Line by Line Meaning

I remember way back way back when
Reflecting on a past experience


I said I never wanna see your face again
Expressing disinterest and disdain for someone


Cause you were loving yes you were loving somebody else
The person was unfaithful


And I knew oh yes I knew I couldn't control myself
Feeling powerless in the face of temptation


And now they bring you back into my life again
The person has resurfaced in life


And so I put on a face just like your friends
Pretending to befriend the person


But I think you know oh yes you know whats going on
Believing the person is aware of the true intentions behind the relationship


Cause the feelings in me oh yes in me are burning strong
Feeling intense emotions for the person


But I will never be your stepping stone
Refusing to be a means to someone else's end


Take it all or leave me alone
Offering a binary choice of either fully accepting or leaving entirely


I'm standing upright on my own
Asserting independence


You used call me up from time to time
The person reached out occasionally


And it would be so hard for me not to cross the line
Struggling with maintaining appropriate boundaries


The words of love lay on my lips just like a curse
Feeling trapped by the desire to express love


And I knew oh yes I knew they'd only make it worse
Expecting negative consequences from expressing love


And now you have the nerve to play along
Feeling disrespected by the person's actions


Just like the maestro beats in your song
Comparing the person's actions to a conductor's control over music


You get your kicks you get your kicks from playing me
Sensing the person finds enjoyment in causing emotional turmoil


And the less you give the more I want so foolishly
Continuing to desire more despite the negative consequences


I will never be your stepping stone
Reiterating the refusal to be used


I'm standing upright on my own
Emphasizing self-sufficiency




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE BOOKER, AIMEE DUFFY, AIMEE ANN DUFFY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions