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)
Sign Your Name
The Nylons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone who relies on you
We started out as friends
But the thought of you just caves me in
the symptoms are so deep
It is much too late to turn away
We started out as friends
Across my heart
I want you to be my baby
Sign your name
Across my heart
I want you to be my lady
Time I'm sure will bring
Disappointments in so many things
It seems to be the way
When your gambling cards on love you play
I'd rather be in hell with you baby
Than in cool heaven
It seems to be the way
Sign your name
Across my heart
I want you to be my baby
Sign your name
Across my heart
I want you to be my lady
Birds never look into the sun
Before the day is done
But oh the light shines brighter
On a peaceful day
Stranger blue leave us alone
We don't want to deal with you
We'll shed our stains showering
In the room that makes the rain
All alone with you
Makes the butterflies in me arise
Slowly we make love
And the earth rotates
To our dictates
Slowly we make love
Sign your name
Across my heart
I want you to be my baby
Sign your name
The Nylons’ song “Sign Your Name” is a love ballad that delves into the deepness of romantic and intimate relationships. The opening line “fortunately you have got someone who relies on you” sets the tone for the song, implying that the singer sees the addressee as someone he can depend on. The line also suggests that the addressee has found someone who will hold their hand and be with them through thick and thin, catapulting the relationship from friendship to something much deeper.
The singer goes on to confess that the thought of the addressee “caves” him in. This line suggests that the singer has strong feelings of love and affection for the addressee, which are affecting him at a deep, emotional level. The lyrics “I’d rather be in hell with you baby/ Than in cool heaven” second this, highlighting the lengths at which the singer is willing to go to be with the addressee, even if it’s not the idyllic, perfect situation.
The lyrics “time I’m sure will bring disappointments in so many things/ it seems to be the way when you’re gambling cards on love you play” serve as a warning to the addressee that love carries risk and potential heartbreak. However, the singer is willing to gamble and take these risks, as he believes that being alone is worse than taking chances on love. The chorus “sign your name across my heart, I want you to be my baby/lady” encapsulates the entire song's theme and communicates the singer's desire for the relationship to go beyond mere friendship into something deeper.
Line by Line Meaning
Fortunately you have got
It's good that you have someone who depends on you.
Someone who relies on you
Someone who trusts and leans on you.
We started out as friends
Our relationship began as just friends.
But the thought of you just caves me in
The idea of you overpowers me with emotion.
The symptoms are so deep
The feelings run very strong.
It is much too late to turn away
It's too late to change our course now.
Sign your name
Declare your commitment with your signature.
Across my heart
Make a promise to me.
I want you to be my baby
I want you to be the one who loves and cares for me.
I want you to be my lady
I want you to be the one who I love and care for.
Time I'm sure will bring
I'm certain that time will bring.
Disappointments in so many things
Failures and letdowns in numerous areas of life.
It seems to be the way
This appears to be the pattern.
When your gambling cards on love you play
When you take risks with matters of the heart.
I'd rather be in hell with you baby
I'd rather endure hardship and pain as long as we're together.
Than in cool heaven
Rather than living happily without you.
Birds never look into the sun
Birds aren't foolish enough to stare directly at the sun.
Before the day is done
Before the day ends.
But oh the light shines brighter
However, the light becomes brighter.
On a peaceful day
On a calm and tranquil day.
Stranger blue leave us alone
We don't want to deal with anything unfamiliar or unsettling.
We don't want to deal with you
We don't want to interact or engage with anything that causes discomfort.
We'll shed our stains showering
We'll wash away our impurities and blemishes.
In the room that makes the rain
In the space that provides cleansing and renewal.
All alone with you
When we're together in solitude.
Makes the butterflies in me arise
Stirs up a feeling of excitement and nervousness in me.
Slowly we make love
We take our time and savor the moment.
And the earth rotates
The world keeps spinning as we enjoy our physical connection.
To our dictates
Following our lead and desires.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Terence Trent D'Arby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind