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)
That Kind of Man
The Nylons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the music and wine start to flow
I go to discos and gay cabarets
Unable to let myself go
Some people live to be the life of the party
Lampshade hat and they're away to the races
So many people loving so many loversTakin' everybody to some strangers place
Don't get me wrong I've had my share of affairs
I've had some hot nights singin' one night stands
But right up front I think it's only fair
To tell you I've got different plans
[Chorus]
That's not the way I am
I'm not that kind of man
It's not that I am shy
I'm just not that kind of guy
So if you feel the same
You're tired of playing games
Then try to understand
That I'm not that kind of man
A lot of people take their loving too lightly
They change emotions like they're changing their clothes
They come alive and thrive on new lovers nightly
How they do it I don't know, 'cause
[Chorus]
If you see him standing on the edge of the action
You think he's only playing it coolHe's only looking for a little sweet satisfaction
I'm tired of being somebody's fool
So if you spot me on the fringe of the party
Holding up the walls with hot and hungry eyes
Don't be afraid to say hello to a stranger
You just might like your surprise
[Chorus]
The lyrics to The Nylons' song "That Kind of Man" explore the theme of self-identity and not conforming to societal expectations. The first verse describes the singer's reputation as a partygoer who loves music and wine but struggles to let go and have fun in discos and gay cabarets. The second verse talks about the party culture, where people love many lovers and live to be the life of the party. The chorus then declares that the singer is not like that and has different plans. The third verse discusses people who take their love-life too easily and change emotions as if changing clothes. The final verse encourages the audience to step forward and say hello to the singer, who is tired of being somebody's fool.
The song's theme of self-identity and not conforming to stereotypes is relatable to many people. The tone of the song is melancholic and reflective, imbuing it with sincerity and authenticity. The phrase "That Kind of Man" is repeated a few times in the song, emphasizing the singer's willingness to challenge normative culture. The song's mood is characterized by the juxtaposition of a party atmosphere with the internal struggle of the singer, who wants to be himself but is struggling to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
People say I'm a happy go-lucky guy
People perceive me as someone who is cheerful and carefree
When the music and wine start to flow
In social situations where music and alcohol are present
I go to discos and gay cabarets
I enjoy going to nightclubs and gay entertainment venues
Unable to let myself go
Struggling to fully immerse myself in the experience
Some people live to be the life of the party
There are those who thrive on being the center of attention
Lampshade hat and they're away to the races
They are quick to indulge and pursue any fleeting desire
So many people loving so many lovers
There are a lot of people who engage in promiscuous relationships
Takin' everybody to some strangers place
Going to unfamiliar locations with various partners
Don't get me wrong I've had my share of affairs
I have engaged in flings and casual sexual encounters before
I've had some hot nights singin' one night stands
I have had passionate and fleeting connections with people
But right up front I think it's only fair
However, it's important to me to be upfront and honest
To tell you I've got different plans
About what kind of relationships I want to pursue
[Chorus]
Refrain: I am not the kind of man who engages in meaningless flings
A lot of people take their loving too lightly
Many people don't take relationships seriously
They change emotions like they're changing their clothes
They shift from one partner to another without much thought or consideration
They come alive and thrive on new lovers nightly
They enjoy the thrill of seeking out and connecting with new people
How they do it I don't know, 'cause
I don't understand how they are able to engage in such behavior
[Chorus]
Refrain: I am not interested in being that kind of person
If you see him standing on the edge of the action
If you see someone being reserved in social situations
You think he's only playing it cool
You might assume he's just trying to look nonchalant
He's only looking for a little sweet satisfaction
But really he is seeking something more meaningful
I'm tired of being somebody's fool
I am not interested in being used or manipulated by others
So if you spot me on the fringe of the party
If you see me hanging out on the outskirts of social events
Holding up the walls with hot and hungry eyes
Looking on with longing and desire
Don't be afraid to say hello to a stranger
Feel free to come over and introduce yourself
You just might like your surprise
You might be pleasantly surprised to find out what I'm really like
[Chorus]
Refrain: I am not the type of man who engages in casual flings
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JAMES PAUL COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@7JANEWAY
Yes, they’re gay, There—I said it.
They were also THE premier a capella group—the standard for all other a capella groups. It’s not surprising that in the 80s, they not only brought back classics like “Happy Together” and “Kiss Him Goodbye”, they charted with them as well.
Unfortunately, they are no more. But their videos and albums keep the music alive, and so new generations can experience at least some of what was.
@kelqueen9998
The arrangement on this song is phenomenal! One of their best!
@kanpaifighto
Paul was such a phenomenal song writer and performer...beyond sad that he’s no longer with us :(
@CarpeNoctem42
Amazing that "gay" seems be an issue in these comments when it's all about excellent music. The Nylons toured the Netherlands frequently in the 80's and I've been fortunate enough to have been able to see them. I *love* their music and it also amazes me that I still like it in 2013. In my opinion that says a lot about the timeless quality of their music! Thank you, guys! You make the world a brighter place.
@iriskenny1747
Marc, my favorite. R.I.P to a wonderful group of guys
@agontry
The first song I heard from them. Always loved it. A pity you almost never hear it on the air.
@teenonator
God, I wore the heck out of The Nylons' first four albums.
@hartleycwhite
Excellent song, excellent video from an amazing group.One of my favorites
@garyleenelson6870
i have been listening since the early 80s my quartet justice in highschool 1988 went to the nylons concert at our highschool in everett washington im one of those that always like to meet famous people so i asked the guys hey lets go talk to them after the concert arnold invited us on stage and with my tenors arrangement on what he wrote that won our contest for the state in that year we were asked to sing with them on stage i was bass at the time now of course im 48 now disabled but was 18 then now sings 6 octaves bass tenor alto soprano and baritone remember very well those days and we sung sillougetts and kiss them goodbye that is a time i will never forgert it was the orignals mark, paul, arnold, and claude i love them still to this day as well as the new ones gavin, garth that was an experience i had to share for now with all of you stay safe and long live not just acappella but this group the best in the world the nylons
@DanGross_MusicJournalism
That bass is laying it DOWN!