Turn to Stone
"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 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 United Kingdom singles charts. The song reached No. 13 in the United States 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.
Reviews
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 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".
Turn to Stone (album)
Turn to Stone is a compilation album by Pentagram comprising songs from their first three albums: Relentless, Day of Reckoning and Be Forewarned. It was released by Peaceville Records in 2002.
Track listing
Turn to Stone (Joe Walsh and Barnstorm song)
"Turn to Stone" is a 1971 song by the American singer-songwriter Joe Walsh and his band Barnstorm, with writing credits given to Terry Trebandt, and Walsh. The song was originally released on the album Barnstorm.
Walsh later covered the song for his solo album So What, and released it as a single. The single peaked at #93 on the US Billboard chart.
Live versions
In 1976, Walsh recorded the song on his You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind album.
Cover versions
Roy Buchanan covered the song on his 1978 album You're Not Alone (album).
References
Podcasts:
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by Joe Walsh
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by Electric Light Orchestra
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by Lords of Dogtown Soundtrack
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by Bloodbound
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by Girls Aloud
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by Siouxie and the Banshees
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by Ingrid Michaelson
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by E.l.o
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by Siouxsie & The Banshees
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by C.I.A
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by Magica
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by DIO
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by Becca
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by Black Sabbath
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by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Turn to Stone
by: Joe WalshHey now, the well run dry
Pages of your book on fire
Read the writing
On the wall
Hoe down, it's a show-down
Ev'rywhere you look, we're fighting
Hear the call
And you know it's gettin' stronger
I can't last very much longer
Turn to stone
Well there's a change in the wind
You know the signs don't lie
Such a strange feelin'
And I don't know why it's takin'
Such a long time
Backyard people
And they work all day
Tired of the speeches and the way
That the reasons keep changin'
Just to make the words rhyme
And you know it's gettin' stronger
Can't make 'em run much longer