Stone | 5ive Songs

1. 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” (📉 peaked at no. 2) and 🎵 “Boogie Wonderland” (📉 peaked at no. 6).  Both songs eclipsed the performance of “In the Stone” (📉 peaked at no. 58), but that doesn’t inhibit it 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.”

2. 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…” After a four-year hiatus, 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative pop artist 🎙 Lorde (Ella Yelich O’Connor) is back with 💿 Solar Power. Her second advance single, 🎵 “Stoned at the Nail Salon”, 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.  On the pre-chorus, I love the layered vocals, which keeps “Stoned at the Nail Salon” intriguing (“Well, my blood’s been burning for so many summers now / It’s time to cool it down, wherever that leads”).

On the chorus, Lorde sings with more oomph, yet never forces 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.  As far as theme, O’Connor reflects on getting older – relatable to everybody.  I love how she poetically tackles the topic.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: July 2021

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

💿 All Directions • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1972

It should be noted, I was this close to including The Temptations’ classic, 🎵 “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” on 🎧 September: 5ive Songs 70 (2021). Why, you ask? That legendary opening lyric, sung by 🎙 Dennis Edwards: “It was the third of September / That day I’ll always remember, yes I will / ‘Cause that was the day, that my daddy died.” Honestly, that sole reference to the ninth month of the year would’ve been enough to justify its inclusion!  That said, the reference to a ‘stone’ in the title easily earns the song inclusion on this list.

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.”

I could continue to swoon over the lyrics and story told of the ‘no-good-dad,’ as well as how the unique voices of each member of The Temptations come together harmoniously, but I’ll reserve the last bit for the instrumental.  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, accentuating 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, period!

4. 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.”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 12 Songs That Are Truly Cold

5. 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.”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 12 Songs That Are Truly Cold