(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone


" Steppin' Stone" is a rock song written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. It was first recorded by Paul Revere & the Raiders and appeared on their album Midnight Ride, released in May 1966.
The song is simple musically, with a repeating verse chord progression of E major, G major, A major, and C major, and a repeating bridge in cut time of E major, G major, A major, and G major.

Monkees version

It is best known as a hit for The Monkees, released in November 1966,. Musicians featured on the Monkees recording are: Micky Dolenz ; Tommy Boyce ; Wayne Erwin and Gerry McGee ; Louis Shelton ; Bobby Hart ; Larry Taylor ; Billy Lewis ; and Henry Lewy.
The various Monkees' versions differ across the single, stereo album, and mono album versions. In the stereo version, the track's title is sung just before the second verse, whereas on the single and mono album versions, this segment is left instrumental. Additionally, the stereo version has an edit in the fade out. The mono album version does not have this edit and therefore has a longer coda. The single also does not have the edit, but it fades the song earlier than the mono album. All Monkees' hits compilations through the mid-1980s used the stereo version, and afterward typically used the single version.

Other versions

The song has been covered by many artists. Among the more notable is Modern Rocketry's version in 1983, which reached number 7 on the U.S. Hot Dance/Disco chart; and PJ & Duncan's version in 1996, which reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. Punk bands, The Sex Pistols and Minor Threat also have recorded versions of Stepping Stone.