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)
The Girl Can't Help It
The Nylons Lyrics
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She can't help it, the girl can't help it
If she winks an eye bread slices turn to toast
She can't help it, the girl can't help it
Yes, she's got a lot of what they call the most
She can't help it, the girl can't help it
The girl can't help it if she was born to please And if she's got a figure made to squeeze
Oh won't you kindly be aware
The girl can't help it
She mesmerizes every mother's son
She can't help it, the girl can't help it
And if she smiles their steak becomes well done
She can't help it, the girl can't help it
She makes grampa feel like twenty-one
She can't help it, the girl can't help it
The girl can't help it if she was born to please
She can't help it, the girl can't help it
And if I go to her on bended knees
She can't help it, the girl can't help it
Oh won't you kindly be aware that I can't help it
Just can't help it
Cause oh, I'm hopin' obviously
That someday the answer will be
The girl can't help it if she's in love with me
She walks by the men all stand in rows
Yes she winks an eye ...
Yes she's got a lot of what they call the most
Well, the girl can't help it if she was born to please And if she's got a figure made to squeeze
Cause oh I'm hopin' obviously
That someday the answer will be
The girl can't help it if she's in love with me
"The Girl Can't Help It" is a lively and upbeat song by The Nylons, first released in 1981. The song speaks of a woman who simply captivates everyone who interacts with her. She has a magnetic presence that draws everyone towards her, and her every move has a profound impact on all who see her. The lyrics speak about how her very existence affects the people around her, causing them to act in strange ways they cannot control. When she walks by, men are transfixed, and when she winks, even the most mundane things become extraordinary. She has a figure and presence that are just impossible to ignore, but the song's speaker hopes that one day she will reciprocate his feelings.
The song can be interpreted as a celebration of female beauty and charm. However, it can also be read as a cautionary tale about how men can become powerless when confronted with an attractive woman. It is a catchy and upbeat song that captures the essence of an era in popular music when rock and roll was all about having fun.
Line by Line Meaning
If she walks by the men all stand engrossed
Men can't help but be captivated by her beauty when she walks by.
If she winks an eye bread slices turn to toast
Her seductive powers are so strong that even bread slices turn to toast at the sight of her winking.
Yes, she's got a lot of what they call the most
She has all of the desirable qualities that people look for in a potential partner.
The girl can't help it if she was born to please
She can't control the fact that she was born with features that please others.
And if she's got a figure made to squeeze
Her curvaceous figure is irresistible to those who like to hug and squeeze.
She mesmerizes every mother's son
She captures the attention of every young man, just like a mother would love to see.
And if she smiles their steak becomes well done
Her smile has the power to cook meat to perfection, or metaphorically make everything better in their lives.
She makes grampa feel like twenty-one
Her presence makes older men feel young again and full of life.
And if I go to her on bended knees
The artist will humbly profess his love to her on his knees.
Oh won't you kindly be aware that I can't help it
The artist can't control his feelings for her, just as she can't help the effect she has on others.
Cause oh, I'm hopin' obviously
The singer is clearly hoping for a positive outcome.
That someday the answer will be
The artist hopes for an answer to his question or a positive response from her.
The girl can't help it if she's in love with me
The singer believes that if she falls in love with him, it won't be her fault as she can't help who she falls in love with.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: BOBBY TROUP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind