very interesting idea - and it certainly doesn't radically change the structure of the lyrics to use One instead of Stone
I'm guessing the idea of "Stone" is the everlasting nature of stone and the strength they exhibit. plus a nod to the concept of rock of ages. So you do lose a little bit but some easy lyric adjustment could have solved this
Is the whole story of STONED Love a Motown Myth?
How do you then explain Stoned Soul Picnic doing so well two years prior?
I had that discussion not that long ago. I always find that funny too. The weirdest thing is that they released the duet album that same year with STONED soul picnic. Just does not make any sense. Sometimes I think some things are made up or staged to create a story. We all know how much the Supremes didn't like Where did our love go but then during an interview on a show, can't remember which one, Florence clearly says that it is her favourite song.
Yes I just found it. It was after the medley and Diana says Baby love and Mary You keep me hanging on. Not sure if they were told to say that but of course people can change their mind about a song. I still think a lot was staged like when Cindy says, during a performance in France, that she is 23 also lol.
How telling-Florence left in 1967 after inner group tensions so she would be asking Where Did Our Love Go, Mary stayed the longest and the Supremes really did keep her hanging on and I think Diana liked Baby Love as I remember her saying who would have thought baby love would still be sung after all these years in her 1977 tv special. I wonder what Supremes song Diana Ross likes best now? I know Mary Wilson says that it ls like your children you don't always have a favorite but depending on the time or mood she likes certain ones better to listen to or sing.
the girls never actually say Stoned. the lyric is Stone and that's what they sing. so why change the word for the title, unless it was a typo
as for the whole story around the lp cover and all, IMO it's more myth than anything else. both the lp and the single were released in october. if the single caused as much stink as some people say, there would have been 0 time to redo a complex gatefold album cover with graphics and intricate die-cuts. perhaps Mary and Motown disagreed on a preliminary design - with Mary wanting the afro image and not the pink stuff. But since when had any of the supremes been involved with their photo shoots, PR images, album art, album song lineup, etc.
I think a lot of this story is just revisionist history. it would certainly have made more sense to call the album SL and use the afro pic. but that's hindsight
controversy or not, SL was a MASSIVE hit - one of the longest running singles for the group. even without hitting #1 on the pop charts
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