Le monde est stone explained

"Le monde est stone" (meaning "the world is stone") is a song written and produced by Michel Berger and Luc Plamondon for the 1978 Canadian-French musical Starmania. It was originally performed by Fabienne Thibeault and released on the Starmania album in 1978. The English-language version of the song with lyrics by Tim Rice, titled "The World Is Stone", was recorded by American singer Cyndi Lauper and released on the Tycoon album in 1992. Celine Dion recorded "Le monde est stone" for her 1991 album, Dion chante Plamondon.

Cyndi Lauper version

The World Is Stone
Cover:	World is stone.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Cyndi Lauper
Album:	Tycoon
B-Side:	Learn to Live Alone
Released:	^[1]
Length:	4:24
Label:	Epic
Producer:	Cyndi Lauper
Prev Title:	Unconditional Love
Prev Year:	1991
Next Title:	Who Let In the Rain
Next Year:	1993

Cyndi Lauper recorded the English version of "Le monde est stone", titled "The World Is Stone" for the Tycoon album in 1992. "Le monde est stone" has been most notably associated with Fabienne Thibeault, Marie Carmen, Celine Dion, and Maurane. The song was composed by Michel Berger. The original French lyrics were written by Luc Plamondon, and the English lyrics were written by Tim Rice.

Although this single was not released in United States, it was a hit in several European countries, especially in France, where it reached number two, stayed in the top five for three months, and totaled 31 weeks in the top 50. On the single, the B-side is a song entitled "Learn to Live Alone", which was featured on the soundtrack to the English version of Starmania, Tycoon.

Critical reception

Upon its release, Jon Wilde of Melody Maker described "The World Is Stone" as "the kind of muzak ballad that would give seasick a bad name".^[2]

Track listings

UK CD1 and Australian CD single^{[3] [4]}

1. "The World Is Stone" – 4:24
2. "Learn to Live Alone" – 5:08
3. "Time After Time" – 3:59

UK CD2^[5]

1. "The World Is Stone" – 4:24
2. "I Drove All Night" – 4:08
3. "What's Going On" – 3:51

European 7-inch, CD, and cassette single^{[6] [7] [8]}

1. "The World Is Stone" – 4:24
2. "Learn to Live Alone" – 5:08

Personnel

Personnel are adapted from the UK CD1 disc notes.^[3]

• Michel Berger – writing
• Luc Plamondon – writing
• Tim Rice – writing
• Cyndi Lauper – vocals, production, arrangement
• Peter Wood – arrangement
• Frank Filipetti – mixing
• Guy Gray – recording

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1992)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[9]	106
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[10]	13

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 19. May 23, 1992. July 15, 2021.
2. Wilde . Jon . 30 May 1992 . Singles . . 29.
3. The World Is Stone. Cyndi Lauper. 1992. UK CD1 liner and disc notes. Epic Records. 657970 2.
4. The World Is Stone. Cyndi Lauper. 1992. Australian CD single liner notes. Epic Records. EPC 657970 2.
5. The World Is Stone. Cyndi Lauper. 1992. UK CD2 single liner notes. Epic Records. 657970 5.
6. The World Is Stone. Cyndi Lauper. 1992. European 7-inch single sleeve. Epic Records. 657970 7.
7. The World Is Stone. Cyndi Lauper. 1992. European CD single liner notes. Epic Records. EPC 657970 1.
8. The World Is Stone. Cyndi Lauper. 1992. European cassette single sleeve. Epic Records. 657970 4.
9. Web site: Response from ARIA re: chart in inquiry, received 3 March 2017. Imgur. April 9, 2017.
10. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 9. 40. 27. October 3, 1992. March 6, 2020.
11. 1992 Year End Sales Charts. Music & Media. 9. 51/52. 17. December 19, 1992. March 6, 2020.