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)
Prince of Darkness
The Nylons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Be gone, Prince of Darkness
You have no power
You have no power
Be gone
Be gone
I woke from a dream to a rumble of thunderNot heard but perceived from within
A feeling inside that just can't be denied
Says the countdown is soon to begin
But in the darkest hour the human spirit
Sings ancient songs to me
The tyrants will gather to worship their master
But he will be brought to his knees
[Chorus]
Be gone, Prince of Darkness
You have no power here
Be gone, Prince of Darkness
You have no power here
You have no power, you have no power here
You have no power, you have no power here
Be gone
We speak with the voice of ten million souls crying
This war that you make is not ours
You sit at the left hand of those who are lying
Seducing with hypnotic powers
But now your stone cold heart has started rumbling
A song has risen free
And we shall not stop with the laughter and singing'Til you have been swept to the sea
[Chorus]
We run with the spirit that moves through the city
The heart of the jungle is whole
The seekers of truth with the hot blood of youth
Together we're never alone
When every heart has finally found the courage
To love with all its might
The chains will be broken, the doors will burst open
And we shall know the power of the night
[Chorus]
The song "Prince of Darkness" by The Nylons was released in 1982 as part of their album with the same title. It is a passionate plea for the world to rid itself of evil and darkness represented by a figure called the Prince of Darkness. The lyrics ask the prince to leave since he has no power over the world. The song implies that the prince is a force that sits at the left hand of the ones who lie, manipulating people with his hypnotic powers. The song's message, however, is not to give up to his dark and intense desires. Instead, the lyrics speak of hope and the human spirit's resilience, which sings ancient songs to deliver good's message, even in the darkest moment.
The song portrays the battle between darkness and light, good and evil, that every human being struggles with throughout their lives, the duality that is ever-present within us. The lyrics highlight that even though the battle feels endless, the human spirit would eventually triumph. Until that day, however, the lyrics suggest that we run with the spirit that moves through the city, for together we are never alone. They also note that when every heart finds the courage to love, the chains will be broken, and the doors will burst open, and we shall know the power of the night.
Line by Line Meaning
Be gone, Prince of Darkness
A plea to the Prince of Darkness to depart.
Be gone, Prince of Darkness
A plea to the Prince of Darkness to depart.
You have no power
An assertion of the Prince of Darkness's lack of influence.
You have no power
An assertion of the Prince of Darkness's lack of influence.
Be gone
A plea to the Prince of Darkness to depart.
Be gone
A plea to the Prince of Darkness to depart.
I woke from a dream to a rumble of thunder
The singer is stirred from sleep by a metaphorical tumult.
Not heard but perceived from within
Although no external noise is present, the artist senses an inner disturbance.
A feeling inside that just can't be denied
The artist can't ignore their inner apprehension.
Says the countdown is soon to begin
The artist intuits that a significant event is imminently approaching.
But in the darkest hour the human spirit
Even in the bleakest moments, human resilience and fortitude persist.
Sings ancient songs to me
These inner resources manifest as inspiration and motivation for the artist.
The tyrants will gather to worship their master
Those who oppress and exploit others will congregate to celebrate their leader.
But he will be brought to his knees
Despite their power, the tyrant will eventually be defeated.
We speak with the voice of ten million souls crying
The singer is speaking on behalf of countless others, all seeking liberation.
This war that you make is not ours
The conflict created by the Prince of Darkness is not the artist's doing.
You sit at the left hand of those who are lying
The Prince of Darkness is in league with other deceivers.
Seducing with hypnotic powers
The Prince of Darkness's influence is achieved through manipulation and charm.
But now your stone cold heart has started rumbling
Despite the Prince of Darkness's aloofness, their demeanour is undergoing a change.
A song has risen free
A sense of liberation is spreading, allowing voices to be raised.
And we shall not stop with the laughter and singing
The resistance will not be quieted, but will persist even in joyful defiance.
'Til you have been swept to the sea
The Prince of Darkness will eventually be vanquished or driven away.
We run with the spirit that moves through the city
The singer is part of a community that is invigorated by a shared sense of purpose.
The heart of the jungle is whole
Their place of origin or habitat is thriving despite adversity.
The seekers of truth with the hot blood of youth
The singer(s) are young, optimistic and idealistic truth-seekers.
Together we're never alone
The solidarity of the community grants them reassurance and strength.
When every heart has finally found the courage
A time will come when everyone is emboldened.
To love with all its might
They will act courageously and with conviction.
The chains will be broken, the doors will burst open
The constraints that have been holding them will finally give way.
And we shall know the power of the night
The night, often symbolic of darkness or danger, will be conquered and its power harnessed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARC CONNORS, JAMES PAUL COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trolleyboy327
The original four were the best four. Saw them at least ten times in the 80's
@ted2-pi4pp
I saw them live in Eugene Oregon at the Hult Centre when I was 17 and they were kick ass for the times!! Bought their T-shirt and had it autographed. I felt so honored!!!!
@tommytwotacos3503
as much as I like all of their albums, this album (One Size Fits All) is just one amazing tune after another executed wonderfully.
@LouisRoes
@Tommy. I totally agree. In the eighties they frequently giving concerts in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I bought the album "One size fits all". and it is still one of my favorits. A milestone. Sounds great.
@patrickblaha9906
They sing with such power. It sounds like a much bigger group.
@deborahtheredbrickchick468
Grew up with this music
Brilliant!!
@angiexlost
This song is the first accapellasong I ever heard :)
@daviphell4113
I have on cassette tape
@thereverendepi_gee565
Holy crap!!
@stedgar369
@fringedweller99 Mark Connors passed away, Paul Cooper and Denis Simpson retired, but Claude Morrison continues with other singers.