"Le monde est 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. Canadian singer Celine Dion recorded "Le monde est stone" for her 1991 album, Dion chante Plamondon. The English-language version 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.
Cyndi Lauper version
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 associated with Fabienne Thibeault, Marie Carmen, Celine Dion, and Maurane. The song was composed by Michel Berger, with original French lyrics by Luc Plamondon and English lyrics by Tim Rice.
Although the single was not released in the United States, it became successful in several European countries, particularly in France, where it reached number two, remained in the top five for three months, and spent 31 weeks in the top 50. The B-side of the single was "Learn to Live Alone" (the English version of "Les uns contre les autres"), which also appeared on Tycoon. The single sold 250,000 copies in France.
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".
Formats and track listing UK CD #1 and Australian CD single "The World Is Stone" – 4:24 "Learn to Live Alone" – 5:08 "Time After Time" – 3:59
UK CDc#2 "The World Is Stone" – 4:24 "I Drove All Night" – 4:08 "What's Going On" – 3:51
European 7-inch, CD, and cassette single "The World Is Stone" – 4:24 "Learn to Live Alone" – 5:08
Personnel Personnel are adapted from the UK CD #1 booklet. Michel Berger – writing Luc Plamondon – writing Tim Rice – writing Cyndi Lauper – vocals, production, arrangement Peter Wood – arrangement Frank Filipetti – mixing Guy Gray – recording Jay Ryan - Second Engineer, recording and mixing sessions.
Charts
Weekly charts + Chart (1992) Peakposition Australia (ARIA) 106 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 13 UK Airplay (Music Week) 14
Year-end charts + Chart (1992) Position Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 55
Certifications
Release history + Region Date Label Format Cat. No. United Kingdom 25 May 1992 Epic 1 June 1992 CD 2 Australia 29 June 1992
References