"Broken Stones" is a song by English singer-songwriter Paul Weller, released in September 1995 by Go! Discs as the fourth single from his third solo album, Stanley Road (1995). It was written by Weller and co-produced by him with Brendan Lynch. The song reached No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart the same month. Weller was inspired to write the track after a conversation he had with his son at the beach, with the idea that people were like a broken stone trying to become whole again.[2]
Critical reception
Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Mid-tempo scorchers like 'Broken Stones' with its Memphis-soul-meets-New-Orleans feeling keep the rhythmic tension at cooking level."[3] Ted Kessler from NME named the song a "soul ballad" and "a distant and healthy cousin of The Jam's 'Ghosts'".[4]
Charts
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[5] | 81 |
| Scotland (OCC)[6] | 11 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 20 |
References
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 16 September 1995. p. 49.
- ^ "Broken Stones". Songfacts. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "New Releases: Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 21. 27 May 1995. p. 17. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
- ^ Kessler, Ted (20 May 1995). "Long Play". NME. p. 44. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 40. 7 October 1995. p. 22.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
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