Sex Pistols were a punk rock band that formed in London, United Kingdom in … Read Full Bio ↴Sex Pistols were a punk rock band that formed in London, United Kingdom in 1975. They are, together with The Clash and The Damned, responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians. Although their initial career lasted just two-and-a-half years and produced only four singles plus one studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols, they are regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of modern popular music.

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.

I'm Not Your Stepping Stone
Sex Pistols Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone
I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone

A'try to make your mark in society
You're using all the tricks that you used on me
I read aboutcha baby in your magazines
Clothes you're wearin' they're
Worn at the seams

I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone
I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone

When I first met you girl you had no shoes
And now you're walking round like you're front page news
You've been unfaithful with the friends that you choose
You won't find me in your book of fools

I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone
I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone
I'm not a stepping stone
I'm not stoned again
I'm not a crook (?)

I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone
I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone

You're trying to make your mark in society
You're using all the tricks that you used on me
I read aboutcha baby in those magazines
The clothes you're wearin' is
worn at the seams

I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone
I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone
Not your stepping stone

I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone
I yi yi yi yi Stoned again
Not your stepping stone
Stoned again
Not your rolling stone
Not your four pink walls
Waste of time
Not your stone

Now what?

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" by the Sex Pistols is a cover of a track originally performed by Paul Revere & the Raiders in the mid-1960s. It is a confrontational song that calls out someone who is trying to manipulate and use the singer for their own personal gain, with a sarcastic chorus that reinforces the idea that the singer is not a "stepping stone" for their ambitions.

In the first verse, the singer describes how the person is trying to use the same techniques on them that they previously used on others, before talking about how they have changed after becoming successful. Meanwhile, the singer has remained steadfast in their values and won't be taken advantage of. The second verse talks about the person's unfaithfulness and how they won't find the singer in their "book of fools", directly calling out the person's social circle. The chorus then repeats the message that the singer won't be used by the person.

The song is typical of the confrontational and rebellious punk attitude of the Sex Pistols, with its fast-paced and aggressive music and lyrics. Its lyrics denouncing being used as a stepping stone for others are a powerful message to those trying to manipulate and use others in the music industry and beyond.

Line by Line Meaning

I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone
The author is declaring that they are not going to be used or manipulated by the subject of the song.

A'try to make your mark in society
The subject of the song is attempting to establish themselves as notable or important within society.

You're using all the tricks that you used on me
The subject of the song is using the same deceitful tactics that they previously used on the author to achieve their goals.

I read aboutcha baby in your magazines
The author has become aware of the subject of the song and their actions through various media outlets.

Clothes you're wearin' they're Worn at the seams
The subject of the song may appear successful or fashionable, but their appearance is actually disheveled and poorly maintained.

When I first met you girl you had no shoes And now you're walking round like you're front page news
When the author first encountered the subject of the song, they were in a less fortunate position, but now the subject is acting like a celebrity or a person of high importance.

You've been unfaithful with the friends that you choose You won't find me in your book of fools
The subject of the song has been disloyal to their friends and the author refuses to be associated with them and their actions.

I'm not a stepping stone I'm not stoned again I'm not a crook (?)
The author is emphasizing that they will not be taken advantage of or manipulated again by the subject of the song.

You're trying to make your mark in society You're using all the tricks that you used on me I read aboutcha baby in those magazines The clothes you're wearin' is worn at the seams
The subject of the song is still attempting to establish themselves within society and is using the same deceptive tactics to do so. Despite their efforts, their true appearance and character are revealed in the media.

Not your stepping stone I yi yi yi yi I'm not your stepping stone I yi yi yi yi Stoned again Not your stepping stone Stoned again Not your rolling stone Not your four pink walls Waste of time Not your stone Now what?
The author is again asserting that they will not be used, while also reiterating that they are not an object to be owned or controlled by the subject of the song.

Contributed by Penelope H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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