Step into a labyrinth of heartbreak and classic rock with Rainbow's iconic "Stone Cold" video.
The Song
"Stone Cold" is a power ballad by the British-American hard rock band Rainbow, released in 1982. It served as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Straight Between the Eyes. The song was co-written by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, bassist Roger Glover, and vocalist Joe Lynn Turner. The lyrics, penned by Turner, were inspired by Glover's recent divorce, after Glover reportedly told Turner, "She left me stone cold." The track features a strong melodic focus, allowing Joe Lynn Turner's emotive vocals to shine, a key element in the band's shift towards a more accessible, commercial sound.
The Artist
Rainbow was formed by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore in late 1974. The band underwent several lineup changes throughout its history, with different lead vocalists defining various musical directions. Joe Lynn Turner joined Rainbow in 1980, marking a significant turn towards a more melodic hard rock and AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) sound aimed at achieving greater American commercial success. The lineup for Straight Between the Eyes included Blackmore on guitar, Turner on lead vocals, Roger Glover on bass, David Rosenthal on keyboards, and Bobby Rondinelli on drums.
Chart Performance
"Stone Cold" achieved notable commercial success, particularly in the United States. It became Rainbow's only single to reach the Top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 40 on June 19, 1982, and spending 12 weeks on the chart. Even more impressively, the song soared to number 1 on the US Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart on June 5, 1982. In the United Kingdom, it had a more modest performance, peaking at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart. In Canada, the song reached number 30 on the RPM Top Singles chart.
Cultural Impact
"Stone Cold" was a pivotal song for Rainbow, solidifying their transition into a more mainstream rock sound that resonated with the American market. Its success on the Billboard charts and heavy rotation on the then-new MTV channel introduced Rainbow to a broader audience. The song's blend of hard rock power with a melodic, emotional ballad structure is often cited as a prototype for the power ballad genre that would dominate the 80s. To this day, "Stone Cold" remains a staple on classic rock radio stations and was even featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories in 2006, highlighting its enduring appeal.
Fun Facts
- The music video for "Stone Cold" was directed by Edd Griles, who would later become notorious for producing the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984.
- Joe Lynn Turner confessed that the band "didn't know what they were doing" when making the music video, describing himself "walking around with google eyes, in a leather jacket, putting up the collar, and walking around in these mirrors."
- The recording sessions for the Straight Between the Eyes album took place at Le Studio in Morin Heights, Canada, a highly regarded facility where bands like Rush and The Police also recorded.
- Ritchie Blackmore has expressed genuine fondness for the Straight Between the Eyes album and "Stone Cold" in particular, stating he was proud of how "poppy" it was and liked its groove.
- The tour supporting the album, titled "Live Between The Eyes," featured a stage set with giant moving mechanical eyes that had spotlights shining from the pupils.
- The single's B-side was the track "Rock Fever."