The origins of the Nylons date back to 1978 when four experienced Toronto stage actors, Connors, Cooper, Morrison, and Simpson, used to get together in the back of a delicatessen to sing doo-wop together. They took their ensemble to parties and friend's houses and constant comments from people convinced them to take their unique a cappella act into the clubs. An acquaintence met at a party was about to open a new cabaret and invited them to debut there. They played there for six weeks, garnering rave critical and audience reviews. In 1979 Simpson retired from the group and Cole was brought on board. They very quickly established themselves as one of the area's classiest and most original ensembles and caught the attention of Attic Records. Their first album eventually went platinum in Canada (100,000 copies), and there followed four more releases on Attic that all sold at least gold in Canada (50,000 copies). They received the equivalent of a Dutch Grammy award and a gold disc for the One Size Fits All album and the Best Singer Award at 1986's Tokyo Music Festival. In 1987 Disney used their song That Kind Of Man in their feature The Tin Man, and their version of Up The Ladder To The Roof was used in the movie Made In Heaven. They also scored a second appearance on the Taft Broadcasting television show Throb after writing the theme song and a previous appearance on the program. In February 1991 founding member Connors left the group and in March of that year died of viral pneumonia. A new deal in 1991 with Scotti Brothers in the US and BMG in Canada saw the release of three more albums, and constant touring on either side of the border. Over the years various member changes have led to today's lineup of Morrison, Robinson, Mosbaugh, and Cassius. In 1997 they signed with Shoreline Records in the US, a label primarily devoted to vocal groups, and released the Fabric Of Life. Today they continue to tour the world to audience and critical acclaim.
Singles
1982 The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Attic) 1983 Silhouettes (Attic) 1983 That Kind Of Man (Attic) 1984 Take Me To Your Heart (Attic) 1984 Perpetual Emotion (Attic) 1984 Stepping Stone (Attic) 1984 Combat Zone (Attic) 1987 Kiss Him Goodbye (Attic) 1987 Happy Together (Attic) 1987 Chain Gang (Attic) 1989 Wild Fire (Attic) 1989 Drift Away (Attic) 1991 Call My Name (Attic) 1991 One Fine Day (Attic) 1992 Don't Look Any Further (Scotti Brothers)
Albums
1982 The Nylons (Attic) 1982 One Size Fits All (Attic) 1984 Seamless (Attic) 1987 Happy Together (Attic) 1989 Rockapella (Attic) 1991 Four On The Floor (Attic) 1992 Live To Love (BMG) 1993 Illustrious: A Collection Of Classic Hits (Attic) 1994 Harmony - The Christmas Songs (BMG) 1994 Because... (BMG) 1996 Run For Cover (BMG) 1997 Fabric Of Life (Shoreline) 1997 Perfect Fit (Windham Hill) [re-release of 1993's Illustrious]
Marc Connors (baritone; RIP 1991) Paul Cooper (tenor) Claude Morrison (tenor) Dennis Simpson (bass) Ralph Cole (bass; replaced Simpson 1979) Arnold Robinson (bass; replaced Cole 1981) Micah Barnes (tenor; replaced Cooper 1991) Billy Newton-Davis (baritone; replaced Connors 1992) Garth Mosbaugh (tenor; replaced Barnes 1994) Gavin Hope (baritone; replaced Newton-Davis 1994) Mark Cassius (baritone; replaced Hope 1997)
Drift Away
The Nylons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I look for the light through the pouring rain
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
I'm feeling the strain
Ain't it a shame (o)h
Give me the beat boys and free my soul
I want to get lost in the rock and rollAnd drift away
Give me the beat boys and free my soul
I want to get lost in the rock and roll
And drift away
Beginning to think that I'm wasting time
And I don't understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
I'm counting on you
To carry me through-oh
[Chorus:]
When my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feeling blue
The spirit's coming through to soothe me
Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in the song
And rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You helped me along
You're making me strong
The Nylons's song, Drift Away, expresses the feeling of confusion and being lost in life, but still searching for a way out. The opening lines indicate the confusion and struggle that the singer is facing, but despite that, they're looking for a way to find hope through the darkness they feel. The line, "give me the beat boys and free my soul, I want to get lost in the rock and roll and drift away," is a plea for the music to take away the pain and for the singer to be lost in it.
The chorus is an expression of the power of music to heal and soothe. The singer acknowledges that when their mind is free, a melody can move them, and when they're feeling blue, the spirit of the music comes through to calm them. The final verse is a thank you to whoever the singer is addressing for their support and belief in the power of music. The song is about the healing power of music and how it can bring people together, help them overcome their struggles and find hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Day after day I'm more confused
Every day I feel more lost and uncertain
But I look for the light through the pouring rain
Despite the challenges, I try to stay positive and search for hope
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
I don't like feeling defeated and helpless
I'm feeling the strain
I'm under a lot of pressure and stress
Ain't it a shame (o)h
It's unfortunate that things are so difficult
Give me the beat boys and free my soul
I want to be uplifted and carried away by the power of music
I want to get lost in the rock and roll
I want to forget my problems and lose myself in the music
And drift away
I want to be transported away from my current situation
Beginning to think that I'm wasting time
I'm starting to question whether I'm spending my time wisely
And I don't understand the things I do
I'm confused about my choices and their consequences
The world outside looks so unkind
The world can be harsh and unforgiving
I'm counting on you
I'm relying on someone else to help me through
To carry me through-oh
To guide and support me
[Chorus:]
Refrain
When my mind is free
When I'm not weighed down by worries
You know a melody can move me
Music has the power to stir my emotions and move me
And when I'm feeling blue
When I'm sad or depressed
The spirit's coming through to soothe me
Music can bring comfort and healing to my soul
Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I'm grateful for the happiness music has brought me
I want you to know I believe in the song
I have faith in the power of music
And rhythm and rhyme and harmony
I appreciate the elements that make music beautiful
You helped me along
Music has been a source of support for me
You're making me strong
Music is giving me strength and resilience
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mentor R. Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind