11 Rock Solid Songs Fueled by Stone 🪨

Reading Time: 12 min read

11 Rock Solid Songs Fueled by Stone features music courtesy of Brent Faiyaz, Lorde, Queen, Rod Wave, and The Temptations.

Prepare to be STONED! Make of that what you will 🥴! Anyways, the keyword of the seventh playlist on The Musical Hype in the year 2024, 11 Rock Solid Songs Fueled by Stone, is STONE. Every song title must feature some form of the word whether it is stone, stones, stoned, etc. That is the only criteria necessary for this musical compendium. 11 Rock Solid Songs Fueled by Stone features music courtesy of Brent Faiyaz, Lorde, Queen, Rod Wave, and The Temptations among others. So, let’s get STONED with 11 Rock Solid Songs Fueled by Stone!

1. Brent Faiyaz, “Rolling Stone”

💿 WASTELAND • 🏷 Lost Kids LLC • 📅 2022

“I’m a rolling stone (stone) / I’m too wild for you to own.” Word, Brent Faiyaz (Christopher Brent Wood), word. “Rolling Stone” appears as the 10th track on WASTELAND, the 2022, platinum-certified album by the R&B singer/songwriter. The sub-three-minute record features warm, soulful, and enigmatic production courtesy of Coop The Truth, Jake One, and Nascent. Clearly, Faiyaz is wild AF, asserting, “I still got demons from my younger days” (verse one) and, “People hate me, and they love me at the same time /… I guess I’m everything and nothing at the same time” (verse two). At least he’s self-aware, right? Right! “I’m sorry in advance if I let you down.” Again, I say, WORD. Even though he’s wild, and a self-proclaimed disappointment, Faiyaz sings beautifully on this honest contemporary R&B joint.

2. Queen, “Stone Cold Crazy”

💿 Sheer Heart Attack • 🏷 Hollywood • 📅 1974

“Sleeping very soundly on a Saturday morning / I was dreaming I was Al Capone.” Say what, Freddie Mercury! The dynamic, energetic Queen front man continues in the first verse of “Stone Cold Crazy”, “There’s a rumor going round / Gotta clear out of town.” Those rumors – they’re potent! Anyways, the iconic British band keeps things short, sweet, and totally rock and roll on this up-tempo, eighth track from Sheer Heart Attack (1974). “Stone Cold Crazy” wasn’t a single from Sheer Heart Attack, hence why it didn’t chart on the pop charts. The album, however, did peak at no. 12 on the Billboard 200 in 1975, and was certified gold by the RIAA the same year.

Notably, “Stone Cold Crazy” has more of a hard rock edge compared to later, more experimental songs. The thing is, even though “Stone Cold Crazy” sounds starkly different from other songs by Queen, it is innovative in its own right – they are a pioneer of thrash metal. Rock on! Notably, the guitar playing by Brian May is lit to the nth degree, a huge reason why “Stone Cold Crazy” is epic. As always, Mercury is on-point with his high-flying vocals. Adding to the personality of the performance are the fun lyrics: “Rainy I gotta blow a typhoon / And I’m playing on my slide trombone” and “Walking down the street, shooting people that I meet / With my rubber tommy water gun.” What more can you say but “Stone Cold Crazy”!

Appears in 🔻:

Queen, Stone Cold Crazy: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 1 (2024)

3. Lorde, “Stoned at the Nail Salon”

💿 Solar Power • 🏷 Universal Music New Zealand Limited • 📅 2021

“I love this life that I have / … But I wonder sometimes what I’m missing…” Grammy-winning alternative pop artist, Lorde (Ella Yelich O’Connor), returned in 2021 with Solar Power. “Stoned at the Nail Salon”, the second single, sounds as chill and mellow as the title suggests. This is a prime example of a song that floats along. O’Connor gives us subtle but beautiful vocals from the start.  Her tone is warm and chill; appealing.  In the pre-chorus, layered vocals keep things intriguing (“Well, my blood’s been burning for so many summers now / It’s time to cool it down, wherever that leads”). In the chorus, she sings with more oomph without forcing things.       

“‘Cause all the beautiful girls, they will fade like the roses  

And all the times they will change, it’ll all come around  

I don’t know  

Maybe I’m just stoned at the nail salon  

Maybe I’m just stoned at the nail salon, again.”   

As far as the production (Lorde and Jack Antonoff) things are minimal and spare. This simplicity bodes in O’Connor’s favor, allowing her voice to shine.  Thematically, she poetically reflects on getting older – relatable to everybody. 

Appears in 🔻:

4. Rod Wave, “Stone Rolling”

💿 A Beautiful Mind • 🏷 Alamo / Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 2022

“Uh, he’s a rolling stone, he’s a rolling stone / Long as the wind blows, I’ll be long gone… / Drive with many miles of roads and still can’t find my / My home.” Woo! Rod Wave keeps things real on “Stone Rolling”, the third single from his fourth studio album, 💿 A Beautiful Mind. Producing this latest melodic but hard-hitting banger is TnTXD, SephGotTheWaves, and Geovocals. The biggest selling point of the backdrop is the knocking trap beat. In “Stone Rolling,” Wave is honest and transparent about his dreams as a child, as well as his come up. Part of those dreams was the desire to travel, with Rod rapping, “Like if I make it out this shit, I’m goin’ straight to Cali.” That of course is a dream so many of us have at some point. He goes on to highlight achieving his aspirations, but at the same time, it’s not the ‘end all, be all’ – he’s still in search of home. Two lyrics that stand out in the verse are, “I just woke up on my tour bus, I don’t know where I’m headed / I been out on my own since I turned eighteen,” as well as, “Is there a heaven for a G? Where can I go to get some peace? / I wanna settle with my kids, buy a crib by the beach.” Rod does a fabulous job of being authentic and personal. “Stone Rolling” marks another highlight. It’s great that he’s living his dreams and is in a much better place, but, you still hope he does find a permanent home beyond stone rolling.

Appears in 🔻:

Awesome Songs: August 2022

5. Eminem, “Stepping Stone”

💿 Kamikaze • 🏷 Aftermath • 📅 2018

“Feels like I’m on the descent, but it was not my intent / To treat y’all like a stepping stone.” Intriguing lyrics. To add a bit more context to that lyric from “Stepping Stone,” the seventh track on Kamikaze, the 2018 album by Eminem (Marshall Mathers), he raps, “I’ve tried hearkening back to, but I’m fightin’ for air / I’m barely chartin’ myself.” Hmm! On “Stepping Stone,” Mathers looks back to 2002, specifically after experiencing success with his rap collective D12: “It’s 2002, everything was totally new / We were globally huge, watchin’ sales go through the roof.” Indeed, D12 was the stuff, while Eminem himself was the shit 🤭. On “Stepping Stone,” he’s reflective, feeling guilty that he used his co-members “as my stepping stones,” while their respective solo careers never took off.  In the chorus, he repents: “I’ma wash away my sins / I’ma rinse away this dirt / I forgot to make amends / To all the friends I may have hurt.” There are countless lyrics that stand out on this highlight from Kamikaze, but to spotlight a few: “‘Cause the truth is, the moment that Proof died, so did the group” (verse one) and “It’s not goodbye to our friendship, but D12 is over” (verse three). Essentially, “Stepping Stone” arrives well after Mathers is in his prime, hence the lyrics about the state of his career in 2018. Of course, he didn’t have to tell us that D12 was defunct – it was obvious!

6. Earth, Wind & Fire, “In the Stone”

💿 I Am • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 1979

“In the stone, you’ll find the meaning / You’re not standing tall.” “In the Stone” serves as the superb opening cut from I Am, the 1979 album by iconic funk, soul collective, Earth, Wind & Fire. Honestly, there is no better way to commence a stone-fueled list than this groovy, fusion of disco, funk, and R&B. As far as soul bands are concerned, EW&F rank at the top of the list, delivering no shortage of hits. The heavenly, potent lead vocals of Philip Bailey and the musicianship of the instrumentalists make EW&F a ‘once in a lifetime collective.’ In addition to “In the Stone,” parent album I Am also featuring other notable career hits “After the Love Has Gone” and “Boogie Wonderland”, which both eclipsed the performance of “In the Stone” (peaked at no. 58). Regardless, that doesn’t inhibit “In The Stone” from ranking among the best of the Earth, Wind & Fire catalog. For all the reasons mentioned, “In the Stone” is electrifying. Additionally, throw in excellent songwriting, starting with the timeless chorus (excerpted), as well as the lyrics on the verses. Elaborating more on the instrumental, the riffs are incredibly impressive, particularly those accented passages from the horns. Also, can’t leave out one of my favorite sections of the song, the vamp:

“Never, never, my darling

Never you’ll be alone

Ever, forever, my darling

True love is written in the stone.”

Appears in 🔻:

7. Demi Lovato, “Stone Cold”

💿 Confident • 🏷 Hollywood / Island • 📅 2015

“Stone cold, stone cold / You see me standing, but I’m dying on the floor.” On “Stone Cold,” Grammy-nominated pop standout Demi Lovato delivers nuanced vocals sure to leave everyone stone cold. While the ballad slackens the pace in the context of their 2015 album, Confident, it doesn’t lose a smidgen of its allure, energy, or intensity. Incredibly engaging, Lovato wows with their pipes. This is best evidenced with their ‘bite’ as well as their powerful upper register. Also, the songwriting doesn’t hurt the cause either. Love – always prime fuel for the fire!

“Stone cold, baby

God knows I try to feel happy for you

Know that I am, even if I can’t understand

I’ll take the pain

Give me the truth

Me and my heart, we’ll make it through

If happy is her, I’m happy for you.”

Appears in 🔻:

8. The Stylistics, “I’m Stone in Love with You”

💿 Round 2 • 🏷 Avco • 🗓 1972

If he could, Russell Thompkins, Jr. asserts, “I would buy you everything / Your little heart desires.” Why? “‘Cause I’m stone in love with you.” “I’m Stone in Love with You” marks one of five top-10 hits by the Philly soul collective, The Stylistics. Specifically, this gold certified single from their sophomore album, Round 2 peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Take one listen to “I’m Stone in Love with You,” and you’ll understand the magic behind the it.  Thematically, this soul classic is all about L-O-V-E.

“I’m Stone in Love with You” was written by Thom Bell (who also produces), Linda Creed, and Anthony Bell. The production work is warm, idiomatic of the lush, orchestrated sound of soul music, particularly the Philly soul music of the 1970s.  The ears are treated to the rhythm section (including percussion in addition to drums), winds, and of course, strings.  Thompkins, Jr. is at his best, singing radiantly in an incredibly ripe, yet tender falsetto. The melody he sings is glorious – incredibly tuneful and easy on the ears.  The combination of his voice and the romantic lyrics (“You might say that all I do / Is dream my life away / I guess it’s true / ‘Cause I’m stone in love with you”) is celestial.  Other highlights include the harmonic progression – those musical underpinnings – and the background vocals on the titular lyrics. All told, “I’m Stone in Love with You” is not only one of the best by The Stylistics, but one of the truly epic soul cuts.  

Appears in 🔻:

9. Drake, “Two Birds, One Stone”

🎵 “Two Birds, One Stone” • 🏷  Cash Money / Young Money • 📅  2016 

“Two birds, one stone, my aim is amazin’ / I need to start losing my shit on you niggas that’s hatin’…” Since 2015, Drake has been ubiquitous, released numerous singles, mixtapes, and albums. In 2016, he unleashed the single “Two Birds, One Stone”, which commences with an enigmatic sound from the jump.  The distortion and sample create an unsettling vibe. Also, add drum programming to the mix, amplifying the excellence crafted by Kanye West and Noah “40” Shebib who handle the production duties. If you’re in search for a Drake record that compares, “Two Birds, One Stone” is reminiscent of “Tuscan Leather” (regarding sound and vibe) from Nothing Was the Same (2013). There is no hook but that’s NO PROBLEM. 

“More time with family and friends, more life 

More time to get it right 

It’s only me, but I’m seeing four shadows in the light 

My demons visit me every night 

To the Most High, I’m forever indebted…”   

While Drake references “more life” a couple of different times throughout, somehow, “Two Birds, One Stone” didn’t end up on More Life (2017).  Regardless, he makes many more references (God, his parents, Meagan Good, El Chapo, etc.), as well as delivers numerous notable, worthwhile lyrics (“Fuck the rap game, it’s all lies and it’s all filthy / Two percent of us rich and the rest of these niggas all milk it”). There’s also that early dig at Pusha T: “But really it’s you with all the drug dealer stories / That’s gotta stop though / You made a couple chops and now you think you Chapo…”  Ooh-wee!

Appears in 🔻:

11 Songs About Those Fine-Feathered Things Called Birds (2019)

10. Kaskade, “Cold as Stone” (Ft. Charlotte Lawrence)

🎵 “Cold as Stone” • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2018

“So, let me, let me out / I can’t love you anymore / Let me, let me out / I don’t love you like before.” Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Kaskade has been in the game for years. Even so, it’s sort of hard to believe he’s 50 – how time passes by! Anyways, the vet does what he does best – gives an awesome backdrop (lush, rhythmic, and smooth) to a gifted female vocalist to sing over. Charlotte Lawrence brings her ‘A game’ on “Cold as Stone.” What is the fuel for her vocal fire, thematically? Lawrence must put an end to a bad relationship. Perfect!

So, I’m cold as stone

The only way I know

To keep my soul

And never let it show

That I don’t really know what I’m doing

All I know is I’m crashing down.”

Appears in 🔻:

11. The Temptations, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”

💿 All Directions • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1972

“It was the third of September / That day I’ll always remember, yes I will / ‘Cause that was the day, that my daddy died.” Woo, those are iconic lyrics from The Temptations on one of their best songs, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Notably, Dennis Edwards sings lead. Before Edwards ever sings those lyrics, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” takes its time setting up, thanks to an incredibly classy, extended music intro (more on that later). As far as songwriting is concerned on this lengthy classic from 1972’s All Directions (Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield), it’s authentic, honest, and utterly sublime.     

The best moment is the chorus, which I’d argue, is one of the greatest choruses on one of the greatest songs of all time: 

“Papa was a rolling stone 

Wherever he laid his hat was his home 

(And when he died) all he left us was alone.”

According to Cake, when describing “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,”  they state, ‘You’ll hear of the antics of a man found being selfish and philandering more interesting than taking care of his family.’ True dat! The lyrics convey a story of a ‘no-good-dad’ through and through. The unique voices of each member of The Temptations come together incredibly harmoniously, while the instrument is EPIC. Man, oh man, does “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” have one of the best productions/arrangements (Whitfield) of all time! The drum groove! That bass line! The rhythmic guitar! The strings, that accentuate the dark vibes of that B-flat minor key! The trumpet solo! “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” a no. 1 Hot 100 hit, is a masterpiece, bad father and all!  

Appears in 🔻:   

11 Rock Solid Songs Fueled by Stone (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Aftermath, Alamo, Avco, Cash Money, Columbia, Hollywood, Island, Lost Kids LLC, Motown, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music New Zealand Limited, Young Money; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Etienne Entres, Open-Clipart Vectors from Pixabay]

11 Rock Solid Songs Fueled by Stone 🪨 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on January 15, 2024January 15, 2024