Turn to Stone Lyrics
The city streets are empty now
(The lights don't shine no more)
And so the songs are way down low
(Turning, turning, turning)
A sound that flows into my mind
(The echoes of the daylight)
Of everything that is alive
(In my blue world)
[Chorus]
I turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
Turn to stone, when you comin' home?
I can't go on
[Verse 2]
The dying embers of the night
(A fire that slowly fades till dawn)
Still glow upon the wall so bright
(Turning, turning, turning)
The tired streets that hide away
(From here to everywhere they go)
Roll past my door into the day
In my blue world
I turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
Turn to stone, when you comin' home?
I can't go on
Turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
[Bridge]
Yes, I'm turnin' to stone 'cause you ain't comin' home
Why ain't you comin' home if I'm turnin' to stone
You've been gone for so long and I can't carry on
Yes, I'm turnin', I'm turnin', I'm turnin' to stone
[Verse 3]
The dancing shadows on the wall
(The two step in the hall)
Are all I've seen since you've been gone
(Turning, turning, turning)
Through all I sit here and I wait
(I turn to stone, I turn to stone)
You will return again someday
To my blue world
[Chorus]
I turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
Turn to stone, when you comin' home?
I can't go on
Turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
I turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
Turn to stone, when you comin' home?
I can't go on
Turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
About
“Turn to Stone” is the first song featured on Electric Light Orchestra’s “Out of the Blue” album. Initially released on October 3rd, 1977 in the UK, it peaked at 18 on UK charts and 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 US charts. It is the only single from the “Out of the Blue” album to not break top ten on charts. “Turn to Stone was written during a four-week period in a Swiss chalet, where Jeff Lynne also wrote 14 out of the 17 songs featured on the “Out of the Blue double album.
Jeff Lynne cites Disco as his main inspiration for the groove of this song:
“Disco was popular around this time, and I loved it. I loved the strictness of it. It really helped the group because I could really get a good punch going. There’s a lot of goodness in disco.” – Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne re-recorded “Turn to Stone” and released it in a compilation album with other re-recorded ELO songs, under the ELO name. The compilation album was released in 2012 and was recorded in his home studio.
Personnel:
ELO:
Jeff Lynne – lead and backing vocals, lead, rhythm and slide guitars, Moog bass
Bev Bevan – drums, backing vocals, percussion
Richard Tandy – keys
Kelly Groucutt – backing vocals, bass guitar
Mik Kaminski – violin
Hugh McDowell – cello
Melvyn Gale – cello
Production:
Jeff Lynne – Producer
Mack – Engineer
Jeff Lynne, Richard Tandy, and Louis Clark – Orchestral and choral arrangements. Orchestra conducted by Louis Clark
Stan Ricker (USA) and Kevin Metcalfe (UK) – Original LP Mastering
“Turn to Stone” was also featured on popular TV series Doctor Who. In episode ten of the second season (after relaunch) – “Love & Monsters.” You can watch the scene here (only appears in the first 30 seconds):
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.Turn to Stone
- 2.It’s Over
- 6.Starlight
- 7.Jungle
- 9.Steppin’ Out
- 11.Big Wheels
- 13.Mr. Blue Sky
- 15.The Whale
- 16.Birmingham Blues
- 17.Wild West Hero