Turn to Stone (Electric Light Orchestra song)


"Turn to Stone" is a 1977 song by Electric Light Orchestra.
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 nine 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 Million-Air certificate for "Turn to Stone" for having one million airplays.

Reviews

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".
Billboard called "Turn to Stone" a "driving, high energy rocker" with a "demonic cello the pace."

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Jeff Lynne version

re-recorded the song in his own home studio. It was released in with other re-recorded ELO songs, under the ELO name.

In popular culture

The song featured in the Doctor Who episode "Love & Monsters", along with "Mr. Blue Sky" and "Don't Bring Me Down", both of which were performed by characters in the episode.
The song is also featured in the movie Detroit Rock City.