Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone,
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone.
You're trying to make your mark in society,
You're using all the tricks that you used on me,
You're reading all them high-fashion magazines,
The clothes you're wearing, girl, they're causing public scenes.
I said, I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone,
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone. (No!)
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
When I first met you, girl, you didn't have no shoes,
But, now you're walking around like you're front page news,
You've been awful careful 'bout the friends you choose,
But, you won't find my name in your book of "Who's Who".
I said, I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone, (No, girl, not me!)
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone. (No!)
Not your steppin' stone,
I'm not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
No, girl, I'm not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone.
You're trying to make your mark in society,
You're using all the tricks that you used on me,
You're reading all them high-fashion magazines,
The clothes you're wearing, girl, they're causing public scenes.
I said, I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone,
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone. (No!)
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
When I first met you, girl, you didn't have no shoes,
But, now you're walking around like you're front page news,
You've been awful careful 'bout the friends you choose,
But, you won't find my name in your book of "Who's Who".
I said, I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone, (No, girl, not me!)
I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone. (No!)
Not your steppin' stone,
I'm not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
No, girl, I'm not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Not your steppin' stone,
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Stepping Stone [Live; Bonus Track] Lyrics as written by Bobby Hart Tommy Boyce
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
The Spy
Doors, The
Doors, The
when rules change
Life in Your Way
Life in Your Way
High life
Battle Royale
Word Alive, The
Word Alive, The
This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”