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)
Stepping Stone
The Nylons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She don't love you
You're just a stepping stone
You're just a stepping stone
She's one girl to leave alone
She don't love you
You're just a stepping stone
You're just a stepping stone
The love you think you see
Deep in her eyes
Is filled with misery
Her love's a lie
She's just a woman
But before the main event
She may look like an angel
But she's far from heaven sent
(Beware) You're just a decoy
(Take care) To reel the bigger fish in
She'll treat you like a toy
She'll break you in the end
She's playing her own game
A game you can't win
You better, you better, you better, you better watch out boy
You better, you better, you better, you better watch out boy
[Chorus]
As soon as another guy
Catches her eye
You'll see what's lurking
Behind her disguise
She's an illusion
She's not really real
Boy don't you be fooled
By the joy that you feel
The Nylons's song Stepping Stone is a cautionary tale about a man who is just a stepping stone for a woman he is deeply in love with. The chorus serves as a warning to the man that the woman does not love him, and that he would be better off without her. The love he thinks he sees in her eyes is a facade, and her love is a lie. She plays her own game, and it's a game he can't win. The woman is described as a decoy used to reel in the bigger fish, and once she catches another man's eye, he will be left behind.
The lyrics in the verses paint a picture of a woman who appears to be an angel but is far from heaven-sent. She is described as just a woman, but before the main event, she is playing her own game with men's emotions. She treats men like toys and breaks them in the end. The warning to watch out is repeated, emphasizing the importance of the man being careful and not letting himself become too invested in a woman who views him as nothing more than a stepping stone.
The song's message is relatable and timeless, as many people have likely been in a similar situation or know someone who has. The Nylons deliver the warning in a powerful, soulful, and melodious way that makes the song unforgettable. The unique blend of a capella vocals and the R&B influenced sound has made Stepping Stone a classic.
Line by Line Meaning
She don't love you
She does not feel any love for you
You're just a stepping stone
You are only a temporary tool for her to reach her goal
You're just a stepping stone
You are not a valuable or meaningful part of her life
She's one girl to leave alone
You should avoid getting involved with her
Believe me, you're better on your own
You will be happier and safer if you stay away from her
The love you think you see
The feelings of love that you believe she has for you
Deep in her eyes
Visible in her eyes
Is filled with misery
Her emotions are full of sadness and negativity
Her love's a lie
Her supposed love for you is false
She's just a woman
She is just a human being with flaws and imperfections
But before the main event
Before finding the person she truly desires or loves
She may look like an angel
She may appear innocent, pure, and attractive
But she's far from heaven sent
She is not a divine blessing or a perfect match for you
You're just a decoy
She is using you to attract or distract someone else
To reel the bigger fish in
To successfully catch the person she really wants
She'll treat you like a toy
She will use you for her own pleasure and discard you when she is done
She'll break you in the end
She will hurt and damage you emotionally
She's playing her own game
She has her own motives and strategies
A game you can't win
You cannot beat or outsmart her
You better, you better, you better, you better watch out boy
You need to be extremely cautious and careful around her
As soon as another guy
As soon as she finds someone else
Catches her eye
Attracts her attention and interest
You'll see what's lurking
You will discover her true nature and intentions
Behind her disguise
Hidden under her mask or facade
She's an illusion
She is not a reality or a genuine emotion
She's not really real
She is not authentic or honest with you
Boy don't you be fooled
Do not let her deceive and manipulate you
By the joy that you feel
Do not be blinded by the temporary happiness or pleasure she provides
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Franklin Fuentes
omg, i used to manage hmv's easy listening dept... i always kept a full stock of the nylons music. a huge fan, this is my favorite song of theirs. thanks for posting it!
LadyHeathersLair
I am dying to have Pentatonix do a Nylons cover. Especially Me and The Boys. But this is one I haven't heard before. What a treat.
kanpaifighto
holy cow, Arnold’s range was out of this world.
Martin Smith
The one and only Arnold Robinson!!
airforcefun
I remember listening to The Nylons on old 45 records in highschool. I never get tired of it. Are these guys all the originals?
gremlinjr2
The ONE and ONLY Original Line up .. The Only REAL NYLONS as far as i'm concerned .. Never could get into the Other Line ups .
Christy Dyke
Yes,the originals! now in 2016 Claude is the only one left . R.I.P. Marc,Arnold and Paul
Johnny Wishbone
This how my marriage ended. Lol. Ironically I used to listen to this song.
gremlinjr2
this is the Nylons .. singing this song .. they did not record it originally .. :) . this IS BETTER! ..