“Stone” is about dealing with hardship, getting jaded, and the many ways people come up with to ease the suffering we find in life. The lyrics focus on how suffering can lead to self-medication and a cynical attitude toward the world. In addition, this song manages to hint at the light at the end of the tunnel we all hope for in the back of our minds.
All of the tracks on “Mud” were made using a tried and true method of songwriting for Whiskey Myers. Frontman Cody Cannon was the creator of this song, and its lyrics are largely autobiographical. This direct honesty has, in his opinion, been the cause of the track’s status as a fan favorite. In addition, the first line of the lyrics was the subject of some controversy until Cannon set the record straight.
In this article, we’ll perform an analysis of these raw lyrics to discover their intended meaning. We’ll also take a look at the story behind the song and the human themes that make it impactful for so many. Without further ado, let’s get started!
“Stone” Lyrics Meaning
The lyrics begin with an important (yet disputed) metaphor. According to Cody Cannon, the original lyric was, “The night is my prescription.” However, on the album recording, you can clearly hear that he substitutes companion for prescription. The meanings are similar in this context, but it is important to differentiate them. In this article, I’ll be using the lyric that Cannon prefers.
So, the night is his “prescription.” What does this mean? Well, just as with any prescription, it’s being used to alleviate something negative. Some kind of suffering is affecting Cannon, who’s escaping into the night to forget his troubles. He’s a restless soul, and since sleep isn’t an option, he’s decided to seize the night for himself.
This is why he continues, saying, “The highway is my home.” For our readers who may not have tried it, a late-night drive can be extremely therapeutic. Cannon is physically acting out the inner restlessness he feels, “seekin’ for one last beacon” in a seemingly dark world.
The next verse continues this theme of movement. When Cannon references Jesus being a “poor man,” he’s referring not only to a lack of wealth but also a nomadic lifestyle. Much like Jesus was a wandering teacher, Cannon feels like he has nowhere to lay his head. Thus, he feels at home when roaming aimlessly.
He wishes that, like Jesus, he could make peace with this life. Unfortunately, he seems unable to deal with the “heartache” and “misery” that plague him in this way. It’s unknown exactly what suffering has caused his pain, but this will be better explained in later verses.
In the chorus, the central message of the song is laid out. He begins talking to his own “sweet, sweet heart,” which means the part of himself that is most tender and innocent. Cannon knows that it will “break again a million times,” but still seems to have hope for it. When he asks, “Have you turned to stone,” he’s trying to ascertain whether or not that tender part of him has died from his experiences.
Verse three is devoted to unhealthy coping mechanisms. For Cannon, it’s alcohol that eases his heartache, but this verse doesn’t only apply to alcohol. He holds his “bottle” almost “all the time” like a small child, and it helps him “fall asleep a little bit better at night.” Rather than face his troubles directly, he often finds it easier to forget about them in drunkenness.
In the final verse, we catch a glimpse of the cause of Cannon’s suffering in the first place. He claims that “life is like a dagger” and that “backstage is full of parasites” – two phrases that orbit a common theme: betrayal. Like a stab in the back or a hidden invader of your body, he feels that the people around him (who he wants to trust) are self-interested and cold.
This is why he feels cynical about life. “Just to feel better about their life,” the people around him are content to use him while pretending to “love him.” His heart wants to love them, but he sees through them. Any muscle that doesn’t get used is bound to fade away, hence the metaphor of a heart that turns to stone.
In summary, “Stone” is about losing your faith in the world, other people, and your future. A man who hasn’t found himself in that position is very hard to find, which is definitely a big part of this track’s success.
The Story Behind “Stone”
Cody Cannon hasn’t given many specific details about the origins of “Stone.” He has called the track a “song about my life,” but didn’t say precisely how. Perhaps this, and the vagueness of the lyrics, is intentional. It could be that he wants the song’s message, like pain, to be universal.
As far as his creative process, we can only assume that the track was written in a similar fashion to the rest of Mud. According to Whiskey Myers, producer Dave Cobb prefers the band members to approach songwriting in an “unprepared” manner. Cannon has corroborated this story, and summarized his songwriting approach as follows: “I just…make myself sit down and start writing.”
Evidently, the fanbase loves the result of their efforts. “Stone” is a certified fan-favorite, breaking into the Top 10 of iTunes all-genre charts and racking up nearly 40 million views on YouTube. Critically and commercially, this song can only be considered a success.
The next time you play this hard-hitter, let these pieces of background information bring it to life!