Synopsis

Cyndi Lauper performs "The World Is Stone" in a stark, atmospheric video shaped by shadowy spaces, close-ups, and abstract imagery. Rather than following a literal narrative, the visuals reflect the song's sense of alienation and emotional exhaustion. Lauper's solitary presence contrasts with the impersonal world around her, while the restrained presentation gives the performance a somber, theatrical quality. The video emphasizes mood and inner feeling, turning the song's bleak language into a portrait of isolation and longing.

Factoids & Trivia

• "The World Is Stone" is the English-language adaptation of "Le monde est stone," a song from the French-Canadian rock musical *Starmania*. The music was written by Michel Berger, the original French lyrics by Luc Plamondon, and the English lyrics by Tim Rice.

• Lauper recorded the song for *Tycoon*, the 1992 English-language adaptation of *Starmania*. The album also included her version of "Learn to Live Alone," adapted from another song in the musical.

• Lauper took an unusually active role in the recording, receiving production and arrangement credits alongside her vocal credit. Peter Wood handled the arrangement, while Frank Filipetti mixed the track.

• The single was released in Europe on May 25, 1992, but was not issued as a single in the United States.

• The song became one of Lauper's strongest European hits of the period. In France, it reached No. 2, remained in the Top 5 for three months, and spent 31 weeks in the Top 50. It reportedly sold 250,000 copies there.

• The video was later included among the promotional clips collected on Lauper's *Twelve Deadly Cyns... and Then Some* home-video release.