By the late 40s the girls were singing with Perry Como on his radio show, followed him to TV and sang on many of his records from 1949 through 1953, many of which were monster hits. The Fontane's were also signed to an artist's contract with RCA which was Perry's label.
At least 4 of their recordings landed on the Billboard Top 30 charts.
In 1954 the Fontanes left RCA and signed with Randy Wood's Dot Records. Their first single for the label was a remake of an early 20th century hit HAPPY DAYS AND LONELY NIGHTS. The record charted at number 18 in Billboard and their hit string began. One of their follow up releases, HEARTS OF STONE, not only established them as recording stars, but also topped the Billboard charts. By the end of their chart career in 1959, the Fontanes had placed 24 singles on the Billboard Pop charts. A number of others were also listed on the Cashbox charts at a time when they ran to 40 or 50 places while Billboard charts had between 20 and 30 positions.
Hearts of Stone
The Fontane Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will never break
For the love you have for them
They just won't take
You can ask them please
Please, please, please break
And all of your love
Is there to take
Yes, hearts of stone
Will cause you pain
Although you love them
They'll stop you just the same
You can ask them please
Please, please, please break
And all of your love
Is there to take
But they'll say no, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
No, no, no, no, no
Everybody knows
I thought you knew
Hearts made of stone
Yes, hearts of stone
Will cause you pain
Although you love them
They'll stop you just the same
You can ask them please
Please, please, please break
And all of your love
Is there to take
But they'll say no, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
No, no, no, no, no
Everybody knows
I thought you knew
Hearts made of stone
"Hearts of Stone" by The Fontane Sisters delves into the theme of unrequited love and the heartbreak that comes with it. The opening lines suggest that some hearts are immune to love and have become "made of stone" which indicates they cannot feel love or accept it. These people refuse love, they put walls around them, and they create too high expectations, so they can't recognize true love. No matter how much you plead, they won't listen; they won't take your love. The song muses on the pain and disappointment of loving someone who cannot or does not love you back.
The repetition of "please, please, please break" eloquently captures the singer's desperation and sadness. The chorus emphasizes the contrast that the listener can't plead, beg or make someone break hearts of stone, even though it’s known that love can change everything but there’s no way of making them take your love. The pain they feel is inevitable, and it's not just that their love goes unrequited, it's that it's actively rejected. The closing lines, "Everybody knows, I thought you knew, hearts made of stone" suggest a universal experience, that everyone knows someone who has loved in vain or been rejected.
Line by Line Meaning
Hearts made of stone
People who are cold and emotionless are often difficult to reason with.
Will never break
It's impossible to change the way someone feels or thinks about something.
For the love you have for them
Despite their faults, you still care for them.
They just won't take
Their hearts are too hardened to feel the love you have to give.
You can ask them please
You can try to reason with them, but it's unlikely to work.
Please, please, please break
You're begging for them to open up and let you in.
And all of your love
Your heart is full of love for them.
Is there to take
You want to give them everything you have.
Yes, hearts of stone
Once again, people who are closed off emotionally.
Will cause you pain
Their hardness and lack of sensitivity will hurt you.
Although you love them
Despite their flaws, you still love them.
They'll stop you just the same
Their emotional distance will prevent you from connecting with them.
But they'll say no, no, no, no
They'll continue to resist your attempts to connect.
Everybody knows
Their emotional shut-down is common knowledge.
I thought you knew
You may have thought you could change or reach them, but it's not possible.
Hearts made of stone
Once again, referring to emotionally closed off people.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Edward Ray, Rudolph Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wolfgang
Having never heard this song before I vote for this version to be the most pleasant one.
Scouser on the Wirral
“Hearts Of Stone” was written by Eddie Ray and Rudy Jackson it was released first by the Jewels in September 1954, but the Hit Song by the Charms doing the 5th cover released their version in November 1954 and it topped the R&B chart and reached #15 on the pop chart , the Fontaine Sisters recorded their version the 7th cover in December 1954, that topped the pop chart.
Elvis Presley never recorded Hearts Of Stone in the studio or released it as a single he only sang this song Live on 15 January 1955 and that was unreleased for 44 years when it appeared for the first time on his “Sunrise” Compilation Album on 9 February 1999.
Linda Easley
I honestly was surprised that a group like the Fontaine Sisters would do a jazzy rock n roll rendition of this song.
I have heard at least one other version of Hearts of Stone which came out in 1955 and was slower. I consider this the definitive version 👍
Don Scott
I love it!
Justin Almorado
And the rock and roll era begins
Muertes2023
lmao
hillcresthiker
This did NOT begin Rock n Roll and the authentic recording of this record was the Jewels version
John Rohde
It's more a doo wop version of the country music revival.
Pete Michael
This is the version I remember when I was 14. Just heard Otis Williams version and was completely unaware of its existence.
Pie
Personally prefer the Otis Williams version but can’t deny this one is peppy