Turn to Stone
| "Turn to Stone" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Electric Light Orchestra | ||||
| from the album Out of the Blue | ||||
| B-side | "Mister Kingdom" | |||
| Released |
29 October 1977 (UK) November 1977 (US) | |||
| Format | 7" single | |||
| Recorded |
Musicland Studios (Munich, Germany); 1977 | |||
| Genre | Electronic rock,[1][2] symphonic rock[1] | |||
| Length | 3:47 | |||
| Label | Jet | |||
| Writer(s) | Jeff Lynne | |||
| Producer(s) | Jeff Lynne | |||
| Electric Light Orchestra singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Turn to Stone" is a 1977 song by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).
The song is the opening track to the double album Out of the Blue. It was the first song released as a single from the LP. The single reached No. 18 in the United Kingdom charts[3] and spent twelve weeks on the chart. Out of four singles from the album, "Turn to Stone" was the only song not to reach the top ten in the UK singles charts. The song reached No. 13 in the United States[4] and number one in Canada in early 1978.
The song was composed in Switzerland during Jeff Lynne's two week writing marathon for his double album. Lynne played the moog bassline of the song.
On 4 November 2008, Lynne was awarded a BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc) Million-Air certificate for "Turn to Stone" for having one million airplays.
Details
Allmusic reviewer Zachary Curd called the song "Essentially a love song, "Turn to Stone" is orchestrated, computerized, epic rock music courtesy of Jeff Lynne." The song was also reviewed by allmusic reviewer Donald A. Guarisco who stated "This dynamic opener from the Out of the Blue album is a good example of Electric Light Orchestra’s skill for mixing string-laden pop hooks with driving rock and roll. He also stated "It also works in an array of swirling string lines that dart in and out of the mix and some dazzling falsetto harmonies that interact with Lynne’s lead vocal in call-and-response style".
In popular culture
The song featured in the Doctor Who episode "Love & Monsters" (2006), along with "Mr. Blue Sky" and "Don't Bring Me Down", both of which were performed by characters in the episode.[5]
The song is also featured in the movie Detroit Rock City.
Chart positions
| Chart (1977-1978) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 17 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[ 1] | 30 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles[7] | 9 |
| France (SNEP) | 9 |
| Germany (Media Control AG)[ 1] | 32 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[ 1] | 11 |
| Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[ 1] | 23 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[ 1] | 21 |
| South African Chart[8] | 17 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[ 1] | 10 |
| UK (Official Charts Company)[3] | 18 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 13 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 Singles | 11 |
| US Record World Singles[9] | 9 |
| US Billboard Year-End | 94 |
Jeff Lynne version
| "Turn to Stone" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by Electric Light Orchestra from the album Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra | ||||
| Released |
8 October 2012 (UK) 9 October 2012 (US) | |||
| Recorded | 2001–2012 Bungalow Palace | |||
| Length | 3:46 | |||
| Label | Frontiers | |||
| Writer | Jeff Lynne | |||
| Producer | Jeff Lynne | |||
| Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra track listing | ||||
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Jeff Lynne re-recorded the song in his own home studio. It was released in a compilation album with other re-recorded ELO songs, under the ELO name.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Donald A. Guarisco. "Turn to Stone review on Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
Electronic rock : "a textured but energetic arrangement that builds itself on a staccato synthesizer bass line, churning acoustic guitar, and Bev Bevan’s metronomic drum work."
Symphonic rock : "an array of swirling string lines that dart in and out of the mix and some dazzling falsetto harmonies" - ↑ Mike DeGagne. "Strange Magic: The Best of Electric Light Orchestra review on Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 3 July 2013. "the computerized texture of both "Turn to Stone" and "Sweet Talkin' Woman.""
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "1977 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive - 10th December 1977". Offfical Charts Company. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Electric Light Orchestra - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ↑ Writer Russell T Davies, Director Dan Zeff, Producer Phil Collinson (17 June 2006). "Love & Monsters". Doctor Who. BBC. BBC One.
- ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ↑ "Turn to stone in Canadian Top Singles Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ↑ "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (E)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ↑ Hawtin, Steve. "Song artist 171 - Electric Light Orchestra". Tsort.info. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- ↑ "Releases : elo - Mr. Blue Sky - The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra". Elo.biz. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
http://www.allmusic.com/song/turn-to-stone-t1934686 Donald A. Guarisco review
http://www.allmusic.com/song/turn-to-stone-t824270 Zachary Curd's review
External links
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