The band is comprised of vocalist Johnny Rotten, guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock left the band in 1977 and was replaced by Sid Vicious, who remained until the band's initial 1978 breakup. Matlock rejoined the band for their 1996 reunion and has remained with them throughout most subsequent reunions, including the most recent, in 2008.
Sex Pistols were managed by the infamous Malcolm McLaren, after he saw Johnny Rotten sporting a Pink Floyd shirt with "I hate" scribbled on. Impressed by Johnny Rotten's attitude, McLaren brought Rotten to audition for frontman of The Strand, the band that would later become the Sex Pistols. The Sex Pistols have been described by the BBC as "the definitive English punk rock band" and are widely credited with initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and creating the first generation gap within rock and roll.
Sex Pistols emerged as a response to what was perceived to be the increasingly safe and bloated progressive rock and manufactured pop music of the mid-1970s. The band created various controversies during their brief career, which captivated England but often eclipsed their music. Their shows and tours repeatedly faced difficulties from authorities, and public appearances often ended in disaster and riot. Their 1977 single, God Save the Queen, released during the build up to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, was widely regarded as an attack on the British monarchy and British Nationalism.
The group broke up in 1978 amid a turbulent tour of the United States, but reunited in 1996 for the "Filthy Lucre" tour, and have staged subsequent reunion tours in 2002 and 2003. On 24 February 2006, The Sex Pistols were officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but refused to attend the induction, calling the museum a "piss stain".
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut album, The Sex Pistols reunited for 7 live shows. They played 5 nights at the Brixton Academy in London between 8 November and 14 November, 1 night at the MEN Arena in Manchester, and 1 night at the SECC in Glasgow. The band last performed live in 2008 are are currently on hiatus as John Lydon tours with Public Image Ltd., which reunited in 2009.
Steppin' Stone
Sex Pistols Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone.
You're trying to make your mark in society,
You're using all the tricks that you used on me,
You're reading all them high-fashion magazines,
The clothes you're wearing, girl, they're causing public scenes.
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone. (No!)
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
When I first met you, girl, you didn't have no shoes,
But, now you're walking around like you're front page news,
You've been awful careful 'bout the friends you choose,
But, you won't find my name in your book of "Who's Who".
I said, I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone, (No, girl, not me!)
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone. (No!)
Not your steppin' stone,
I'm not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
No, girl, I'm not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
The lyrics to Sex Pistols' song Steppin' Stone are about being used and manipulated. The singer is telling a girl that he's not going to be her stepping stone, which means that he's not going to be a means to an end for her. He's not going to let her use him to further her own goals, especially if it means changing who he is or compromising his own values. The girl is trying to make her mark in society and using all the tricks she used on the singer to get there. She's reading high-fashion magazines and wearing clothes that cause a scene. The singer is not impressed by her efforts and sees right through her. He won't be just another person in her book of "Who's Who".
The second verse highlights the drastically different shoes the girl wore when the singer first met her compared to the attention-grabbing clothes she wears now. She's also careful about the friends she chooses, but she won't find the singer's name in her social circle. The overall message of the song is to be true to yourself and not let others use or manipulate you for their own gain. The singer is standing up for himself and refusing to be a mere stepping stone for the girl's ambitions.
Line by Line Meaning
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone,
I refuse to be taken advantage of or use as a stepping stone towards your success.
You're trying to make your mark in society,
You're attempting to make a name for yourself in the world.
You're using all the tricks that you used on me,
You're utilizing the same tactics and methods on others that you used on me.
You're reading all them high-fashion magazines,
You're constantly perusing the latest trendy fashion magazines.
The clothes you're wearing, girl, they're causing public scenes.
Your clothing choices are attracting attention and causing commotion in public settings.
Not your steppin' stone,
I will not be used or taken advantage of by you in any way.
When I first met you, girl, you didn't have no shoes,
When we first met, you were lacking in certain areas or possessions.
But, now you're walking around like you're front page news,
But now, you're acting like a celebrity or someone of great importance.
You've been awful careful 'bout the friends you choose,
You've been very particular and selective in choosing your friends.
But, you won't find my name in your book of "Who's Who".
But I won't be listed or included in any prestigious or important directories or lists.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER JOSEPH HOOTON, STEPHEN GEDDES GRIMES, KEITH ROGER MULLIN, CARL JAMES HUNTER, TOMMY BOYCE, BOBBY HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@em9638
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
You're trying to make your mark in society
Using all the tricks that you used on me.
You're reading all those high fashion magazines
The clothes you're wearin' girl are causing public scenes.
I said
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
Not your stepping stone,
Not your stepping stone.
When I first met you girl you didn't have no shoes
Now you're walking 'round like you're front page news.
You've been awful careful 'bout the friends you choose
But you won't find my name in your book of Who's Who.
I said
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
I I I I I'm not your stepping stone
Not your stepping stone,
Not your stepping stone.
@jayanxiety
Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees calls this version his ABSOLUTE FAVORITE of all the Monkees songs covered by other artists!
@impalaman9707
It's a pretty easy song to put some kick ass power chords to. Strip away the jangle and the electric organ, add some volume and fuzztone--and voila!---instant PUNK! By the way, Metallica covered it, too
@Erikr-ex9dj
It's not a monkees cover
@jayanxiety
@@Erikr-ex9dj Well I realize they DIDN'T write the song, but THEIR version WAS the DEFINITIVE version everyone knows, including Steve Jones who is a Monkees fan and insisted they cover it.
@mozzycat00
One of my first music memories is of this song blasting out of my brothers room. It influenced my taste in music and made me aware that there is an alternative to all the main stream crap that was forced down our throats at that time. It gave me an appreciation for all genres of music. Thank you my brother ...
@leestaggers2583
This comment is way too on point. Thank you for sharing this! Being born in the 80s and growing up in the 90s my aunt got me into these guys at an earlier age and it blew my fucking mind that there was music like this out there at that time and I've been hooked ever since. It's gotten me thru some of the best and worst times of my life.
@stormcloudsabound
You're not special because you listen to the Sex Pistols, Mozzy Cat.
@TrevorHamberger
this reminds me of the first time i heard the white stripes blue orchid. I knew about music but i was drawn to it. It just kept pulling me in . that was 08'. I heard this for the first time today.
@kalebgray3878
Johnny's voice is so unique and full of raw energy. It's perfect!
@maceikobrandon83
Best cover of Stepping Stone ever...and one of their better covers!