The Stone

Album: Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song tells the story of a man who has committed a terrible deed. The lyrics describe how he wants to get away to escape the consequences of his actions, but wants someone else (likely a woman for whom the speaker has affection for) to join him. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jack - Providence, RI
  • Dave Matthews knew he wanted to add strings to the song the moment he wrote it and enlisted the San Francisco-based Kronos Quartet, who provided violins, viola, and cello on the track. "The Kronos Quartet come from the classical school. They read fantastically and with fire, they read what's on the page and bring it to life beautifully," Matthews explained. "But that was really different for us."
  • During some live performances, Matthews interpolates Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling In Love" in the outro with the crowd singing along.
  • American Idol album Phillip Phillips covered this on his 2012 compilation album, Phillip Phillips: Journey to the Finale.

Comments: 1

  • Thomas from St. Charles, IlThe real meaning of this song is about Dave's Sister's husband. The husband murdered his wife (Dave's sister) and this song is about the perspective of the killer. The song shares what the killer was thinking before and after the attack. Its a great song with powerful meaning, but this song explains how great of an artist you have to be to compose somehting like this, out of the ordinary.
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