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)
So Long
The Nylons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't know where I'm going
So long
You know you done me wrong
So long
'Cause I know I'm all gone
GoodbyeYou need to tell me why
Goodbye
You always make me cry
Oh why
Why you never satisfied
Packing my bag and heading out
Don't know where or what about
Taking a long forgotten trip
Don't know why I let it slip
Well the way the world is now
I don't want to start a row
Baby you won't believe in love
Wrote you some letters
Oh, take care of yourself
I'll be checking in, oh later
So long
I'm all packed up and on my way
So long
You need me some old sunny day
So long
This time I'm goin', goin' to stay
Goodbye, bye bye baby
I ain't gonna be comin' home
Don't you know I'm gone
Bye bye, bye bye
The Nylons's song "So Long" is an emotional number about leaving a toxic relationship. The song opens with the singer telling their partner "So long," meaning that they are leaving and do not know where they are heading. The line is repeated twice, emphasizing the finality of the situation. The next line confirms that the partner had done them wrong, further reinforcing the idea of leaving after enduring mistreatment. The singer knows that they have reached the end of their rope and that they are all gone, meaning that there is no turning back.
The chorus of the song begins with "Goodbye," which is synonymous with "So long," but with a deeper meaning of finality. The singer wants their partner to explain why they always make them cry and why they are never satisfied. The latter suggests that the partner is difficult to please and has unrealistic expectations. The singer, unable to tolerate this behavior any longer, packs their bags and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, not knowing where they are going or what they are looking for.
The second verse elaborates on the singer's departure, affirming their decision to leave for good. They reminisce on an old forgotten trip that they let slip, which could be a metaphor for a lost opportunity or relationship. They are apprehensive about the state of the world and do not want to start a row, indicating that they want to avoid conflict and find peace elsewhere. The singer acknowledges that the partner does not believe in love, and therefore, there is no point in staying. The song ends with the singer writing letters to their partner and asking them to take care of themselves while promising to check in later.
Line by Line Meaning
So long
I am leaving now
You don't know where I'm going
You are unaware of my destination
So long
I am leaving now
You know you done me wrong
You acknowledge your mistakes towards me
So long
I am leaving now
'Cause I know I'm all gone
I am aware that I am completely done here
Goodbye
I bid farewell
You need to tell me why
You should explain the reason/s behind our situation
Goodbye
I bid farewell
You always make me cry
Your actions always cause me to be upset
Oh why
I want to know the reason behind your actions
Why you never satisfied
Your happiness is never achieved, even if I try my best
Packing my bag and heading out
I am packing my things and leaving this place
Don't know where or what about
I am uncertain about my destination or purpose
Taking a long forgotten trip
Going to a place I have not been to in a long time
Don't know why I let it slip
I don't understand why I forgot about this trip
Well the way the world is now
The current state of the world is a factor in my decision
I don't want to start a row
I don't want to create tension before I leave
Baby you won't believe in love
I don't think you have faith in love
Wrote you some letters
I left you some written messages
Oh, take care of yourself
Take care of your well-being
I'll be checking in, oh later
I will check on you at a later time
So long
I am leaving now
I'm all packed up and on my way
I have completed my preparations and am leaving now
So long
I am leaving now
You need me some old sunny day
You will need me in the future, when times are happier
So long
I am leaving now
This time I'm goin', goin' to stay
I am leaving for good this time, not coming back
Goodbye, bye bye baby
Farewell, take care
I ain't gonna be comin' home
I will not be returning home
Don't you know I'm gone
Are you not aware that I have left?
Bye bye, bye bye
Farewell, goodbye
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind