The Stylistics, I’m Stone in Love with You | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 117^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “I’m Stone in Love with You” by The Stylistics. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 117^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “I’m Stone in Love with You”, performed by 🎙 The Stylistics. 

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.

🎙 The Stylistics • 💿 Round 2 • 🏷 Avco • 🗓 1972

The Stylistics, I’m Stone in Love with You: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 117 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Avco; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]