Le monde est stone

"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"
Single by Cyndi Lauper
from the album Tycoon
B-side	"Learn to Live Alone"
Released	May 25, 1992 (1992-05-25)[1]
Length	4:24
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Michel Berger Luc Plamondon Tim Rice
Producer(s)	Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper singles chronology
"Unconditional Love" (1991) "The World Is Stone" (1992) "Who Let In the Rain" (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 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 41 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11] 13 France (SNEP)[12] 2 Germany (GfK)[13] 100 Ireland (IRMA)[14] 16 UK Singles (OCC)[15] 15

Year-end charts Chart (1992) Position Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[16] 55

References

1. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. May 23, 1992. p. 19. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
2. Wilde, Jon (May 30, 1992). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 29.
3. The World Is Stone (UK CD1 liner and disc notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1992. 657970 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. The World Is Stone (Australian CD single liner notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1992. EPC 657970 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
5. The World Is Stone (UK CD2 single liner notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1992. 657970 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. The World Is Stone (European 7-inch single sleeve). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1992. 657970 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
7. The World Is Stone (European CD single liner notes). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1992. EPC 657970 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. The World Is Stone (European cassette single sleeve). Cyndi Lauper. Epic Records. 1992. 657970 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. "Response from ARIA re: chart in inquiry, received 3 March 2017". Retrieved April 9, 2017 – via Imgur.
10. "Cyndi Lauper – The World Is Stone" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
11. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 40. October 3, 1992. p. 27. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
12. "Cyndi Lauper – The World Is Stone" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
13. "Cyndi Lauper – The World Is Stone" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
14. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The World Is Stone". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
16. "1992 Year End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 51/52. December 19, 1992. p. 17. Retrieved March 6, 2020.