I'm Stone In Love With You by The Stylistics

Album: Round 2 (1972)

Charted: 9 10

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Songfacts®:

The Philadelphia writer and producer Thom Bell wrote this song with his brother Tony Bell and lyricist Linda Creed. It's about giving everything up for love, and is a great example of how in the soul music milieu, the word "stoned" often means "utterly devoted."
The Stylistics were formed in Philadelphia in 1968 by the members of two groups, The Percussions and The Monarchs. After local success with Sebring Records, they were signed by Avco, teamed initially with Thom Bell and later with Van McCoy. During the early '70s, the band had 12 straight Top 10 hits, including "I'm Stone in Love With You," and also "You Are Everything," "Betcha by Golly, Wow," "Break Up to Make Up," and "You Make Me Feel Brand New." In the UK they were just as successful and they had a #1 hit in 1975 with "Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)." All of their hits were ballads featuring the soaring falsetto of Russell Thompkins jr.
In 1975, Johnny Mathis recorded this for his album I'm Coming Home, which was produced by Thom Bell. His version hit #10 in the UK.
This is one of many tracks recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia that helped define the "Philly Sound." A lot of it had to do with the studio house band, who were known as MFSB and had their own hit in 1973 with "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)." For more on what went on at Sigma Sound, and who the real background singers were, check out the Songfacts interview with Phil Hurtt.

Comments: 13

Bryan from New York CityI'm still singing this song, here it is 6/11/2020
Michael from Newark, NjI believe this song also has a reference to Tulsa Oklahoma aka Black Wall Street due to Black Wall Streets success and scaring folks so much they caused a riot and bombed it because of how successful black Wall Street was.
Camille from Toronto, OhBeautiful song, not played on the radio often enough, none of the Stylistics tunes are....seems there were a number of songs using the word 'stone' or 'stoned' around this time period (late 60s, early 70s) "Stoned Soul Picnic" "Stoned Love" "Stone in Love With You". All good songs.
Steve from Truro, United KingdomWell, i have had two replies from the Stylistics website, this one from the site moderator,

"Hi Steve,

Thanks for visiting the Stylistics web site. Well here in America when someone is stone that usually means that they are/were drunk or intoxicated ! So to put it is simpler terms "I'M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU" would mean "I'M intoxicating IN LOVE WITH YOU". I hope that this helps. Now what do you think that "BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW" means.....lol.

Airrion" well this seems a little tongue in cheek,

this from a member of the website,

"Stone is an idiomatic black English expression which can loosely be defined as "very" or "much" as in Jimi Hendrix song "Stone Free" or the wrestler "Stone Cold Steve Austin".Therefore, stone in love means very or much in love with you.
Jack Stryker"

So if I combine the two answers, basically it means being in love with someone so much, that it is like being intoxicated, or very high on love!

I hope that this clears it up, or is a satisfactory answer for most people.

Steve.
Steve from Truro, United KingdomWell you guys, as I am not satisfied with any of the answers given here, I have gone to the Stylistics website and contacted an administrator and left the question on their guestbook.
If this term actually means anything, surely the writer or one of the band is the best person / people to ask!
It was pointed out on another site, that because of the evolution of language through common usage that the term "I'm Stone In Love With You", could mean something totally different to what we all think.
An example of what I am saying here could be this, quite a few bands did a number called "Back Door Man", From Wikipedia: In southern culture, the phrase "back-door man" refers to a man having an affair with a married woman, using the back door as an exit before the husband comes home.
The phrase "back-door man" dates from the 1920s, but the term became a double entendre in the 1960s, also meaning "one who practices anal intercourse."
If / when I get a reply, I will post it here.
Rick from Navarre, FlThe "Stone in Love" in referencing that the love is that solid, not liquid or fleeting. The Supremes said the same thing with their hit "Stoned Love".
Camille from Toronto, OhYeah, I wonder, too, what does that mean, "stone in love" with you. Came on Songfacts hoping to find an answer but so far no luck! The Stylistics greatest hits are so pure enjoyable to listen to; that Russell Thompkins Jr. guy's voice is simply amazing. Sublime.
David from Youngstown, OhWhat a beautiful song! But what in the world is the difference between being really in love with someone and being "stone in love" with that person?
Charlene from Waldorf, MdA couple of my favorites are: Payback is a Dog and You're As Right As Rain.

If you'd like to check out The Stylistics MySpace Group: http://groups.myspace.com/thestylistics

AND

Please join the Eban Brown Fan Club (He's the lead singer of The Stylistics) at: http://singlemom4eb.webs.com
Cindy from Tempe, AzGood song but definitely not as good as You Make Me Feel Brand New. Excellent lyrics, sweet tune, and breathtaking harmonies make it The Stylistics' best song ever.
Adrian from Huntsville, AlI'm just a Kentucky white boy but I love my soul
and rhythm and blues. I never turn off the car radio when this song is still playing. As a songwriter I love how this song has stayed fresh over the years. That is a true testament to a
brilliant composition.
-Adrian Huntsville AL
Arthur from Las Vegas, NvThis is one of the greatest Soul songs ever written (or performed)!
Derek from Cambridge, New ZealandGreat song, but not as good as Betcha By Golly Wow....a song that has strong emotional connections for me.

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