Elephant Stone
- Dec 28, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
"Elephant Stone" was the band's third single and their exciting debut with Silvertone Records, creating a buzz in October 1988! This track showcases the band's newfound confidence and irresistible dance rhythms. Crafted by the talented duo, singer Ian Brown and guitarist John Squire, the song truly shines. When the band's debut album hit the U.S. in 1989, "Elephant Stone" was included as a bonus track, like an unexpected encore at a concert!
Background
The single was produced by New Order bassist Peter Hook in his personal studio. Initially slated for release on Rough Trade Records, it was remixed by John Leckie following an agreement with Silvertone Records. Numerous demo versions from 1986 exist as bootlegs and are now readily accessible online.
"Elephant Stone" was released in two versions: the original, nearly five minutes long, featured an extended drum introduction and more pronounced bass lines, while the later, shorter version, lasting three minutes, included layers of wah-wah guitar. Initially, the single did not chart upon its release, but it reached No. 8 upon re-release in March 1990.
The B-side, "Full Fathom Five" (named after a Jackson Pollock painting), is essentially an alternate single mix of "Elephant Stone" played in reverse.
Originally released as a non-album single, the track was included in the US release of the band's debut album, The Stone Roses, and appeared on some post-1989 reissued UK editions of the album. It has also been featured on the compilation albums Turns into Stone, The Complete Stone Roses, and The Very Best of The Stone Roses.
Track listing
1988 release 7-inch vinyl (Silvertone ORE 1)
"Elephant Stone" – 3:00
"The Hardest Thing in the World" – 2:39
12-inch vinyl (Silvertone ORE T 1)
"Elephant Stone" – 4:51 "Elephant Stone" (7-inch version) – 3:00 "Full Fathom Five" (John Leckie mix) – 2:56 "The Hardest Thing in the World" – 2:39
1990 reissue
7-inch vinyl (Silvertone ORE 1)
"Elephant Stone" – 3:00 "The Hardest Thing in the World" – 2:39
12-inch vinyl (Silvertone ORE T 1)
"Elephant Stone" – 4:51 "Elephant Stone" (7-inch version) – 3:00 "Full Fathom Five" (John Leckie mix) – 2:56 "The Hardest Thing in the World" – 2:39
Cassette (Silvertone ORE C 1), CD (Silvertone ORE CD 1)
"Elephant Stone" – 4:51 "Full Fathom Five" (longer version) – 3:20 "The Hardest Thing in the World" – 2:39 "Elephant Stone" (7-inch version) – 3:00
