Stone by Stone (song)

"Stone by Stone"
UK single release
Single by Catatonia
from the album Paper Scissors Stone
Released	23 July 2001 (2001-07-23)
Length	3:57
Label	Blanco y Negro
Songwriter(s)	Mark Roberts, Catatonia
Producer(s)	TommyD, Catatonia
Catatonia singles chronology
"Karaoke Queen" (1999) "Stone by Stone" (2001)

"Stone by Stone" is a song by the Welsh band Catatonia from their fourth studio album, Paper Scissors Stone (2001). It was written by Mark Roberts and the band, and produced by TommyD. Released as the only single from the album in July 2001, the song peaked at number 19 on the UK singles chart, becoming Catatonia's final chart hit.

Recording and release

"Stone by Stone" was released on the Blanco y Negro label on 23 July 2001. ^[1] It reached number 19 on the UK singles chart. ^[2] There were rumours that the band was about to break up, fueled by singer Cerys Matthews entering drug rehabilitation for drinking and smoking. The rumours were denied a month after the release of "Stone by Stone", but confirmed on 21 September, making this the final single release for the band. ^[3]

Reception

Timothy Mark at NME gave the song a score of one out of ten, describing it "lumpen, the voice grating". He added that the band were "fading from the public consciousness quicker than Shane Ritchie [ sic ]" and describing them as "awkwardly out of date". ^[4] Cyd James of Dotmusic was more favourable, writing: "Highly infectious with a huge, soaraway string-swathed chorus, 'Stone By Stone' is a surefire hit." ^[5]

Charts

Chart (2001)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [6]	76
Scotland (OCC) [7]	19
UK Singles (OCC) [2]	19

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United Kingdom	23 July 2001	CD cassette DVD	Blanco y Negro	[8]
Australia	20 August 2001	CD		[9]

References

1. Shepherd, Fiona (6 July 2001). "Interview: Baby, I'm back". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
2. "Catatonia: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
3. "Troubled Catatonia split up". BBC News. 21 September 2001. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
4. Mark, Timothy (12 September 2005). "Catatonia: Stone by Stone" . Retrieved 2 April 2016.
5. James, Cyd. "CATATONIA - STONE BY STONE (BLANCO Y NEGRO)". Dotmusic. Archived from the original on 2 June 2002.
6. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 19, no. 33. 11 August 2001. p. 7.
7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
8. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 21 July 2001. p. 27. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
9. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 20th August 2001" (PDF). ARIA. 20 August 2001. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2002. Retrieved 25 February 2025.