Made Of Stone

The whole album is inspired by the french student riots in 1968: the french flag is on the cover, and the lemons are there because the students used them to help with the effects of tear gas.

This song of all the ones on the album sounds like the most likely to be about a riot. The streets are cold and lonely because they have been cleared by the police, the cars that were set on fire are just left burning.

Obviously the whole song is about the contrast between the fire and the cold, the warmth and the emptiness, being alone and together.

The riots of 1968 were seen as a perfect opportunity for a revolution, but the French communist party failed to act and order was restored - this song is about the cold and loneliness after the riots once order was restored: "sometimes i fantasize" and "don't these times fill your eyes" (as in tears).

The fire could also be a metaphor for his desire, the rioters desire for change and revolution, a desire which was quashed by the cold of the French government.

ok, thatcherism? i think we're going a bit far here.

but i've read that Made of Stone was written about the abstract/expressionist artist Jackson Pollock, who was violently alcoholic his whole life, and at the height of his career, died in a car crash (very possibly suicide). the 'times' probably did fill his eyes.

also, a Pollock-esque piece of John Squire's artwork is used as the album cover art for the '89 release.

this song reminds me of all the times it's been too cold to leave the house and so i've sat inside thinking about people from the past who i've either (thought i) loved or hated. my mind wanders so much and with such detail that sometimes i forget where i am.

Awesome song, my favourite Roses song. Check out this instrumental piano version. Absolutely stunning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM0pQOkyNQ0

its about times as he ian brown travelled around on his mo-ped, how he sometimes felt alone, it was only him, he loved being alone, "loved the scene", its about living before u die, enjoyin the times u have a head, takin control, lettin things flow, and lettin the fantasy become REAL .. MADE OF FUCKIN STONE - TRUSSLER

This song always gives me goosebumps, love the chorus - powerful stuff man!

John Squire stated that the song was about making an outrageous wish and watching it come true. I don't know who the victim of the wish is, but clearly he was not someone the song's protagonist cared very much for; he is either fantasizing about him meeting a horrible fate or revelling in the aftermath of the horrible fate he wished upon him coming true.

hi guys,i'm new here and thought id add my 2 cents.i view the song as a man watching a car wreck and catch on fire from his house,apartment,whatever,and feeling nothing,no emotion no sadness,nothing. thats where the ''are you made of stone''? line fits in.any way just my view of the lyrics

I'm not going to address every line, but some of the more prominent ones that clearly describe a car crash, not riots. The 'narrator' is a direct witness - close enough to be warmed by the flaming carnage on a cold day - and he's reveling in the carnage - or at least morbidly fascinated by it.

Your knuckles whiten on the wheel - a reflex when you are about to crash

The last thing that your hands will feel - it's going to be a fatal crash

Your final flight can't be delayed - the car goes airborne, your fate can't be avoided.

No land just sky it's so serene - If you ever see an in car shot of a racing accident where a car goes airborne it goes serene for a moment an you only see sky for a moment

Your pink fat lips let go a scream - a scream of terror knowing you are going to die.

You fry and melt I love the scene - the car crashes and burns

At least you left your life in style - it was a spectacular crash

Bad money dies - Rich, poor, good, bad - it can happen to anybody

Made of stone - refers to the fact that you are no longer with us and all that's left is a grave stone.

It always reminded me of "Crash" by JG Ballard. I think it's from the perspective of someone who died in a car crash, fantasizing about dying with her; the line "Are you all alone?/Are you made of stone?"is a reference to the afterlife, whatever shape it may take.