Audioslave founder Tom Morello has revealed the process of writing their signature song 'Like A Stone', claiming that it was "unearthed" in its almost complete form. The guitarist also praised Chris Cornell for his role in its creation, saying the singer instantly came up with the songs haunting melody. Morello made his comments talking to eonmusic at Hellfest in France, on 28th June 2024.
Photo: Eamon O'Neill.
Morello and band were at Hellfest where they gave an incendiary performance at France's largest metal gathering, It was ahead of their early Friday evening slot that the influential Rage Against the Machine man gave a press conference where he took questions from journalists.
Asked by eonmusic about the creation of 'Like a Stone', the 2003 single form their 2002 self-titled debut that has since gone on to be regarded as their defining song, Tom said that it had been a relatively simple process. "I came up with that chord progression late at night, with an acoustic guitar, just strumming around.", he said of the track's genesis. "I was strumming around in my house."
Singling out the immense contribution of bandmate and former Soundgarden man Chris Cornell, he said; "Part of the brilliance of Chris Cornell was that no matter what you threw at him; whether it was like a complicated or heavy riff, or a very very simple, sparce chord progression, he instantly came up with some brilliant melody. [a] haunting or, terrifying melody. That was very much the case with 'Like a Stone'."
Going on to discuss the first time that the full band - completed by bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk - worked together on the song, Morello said; "The first time that we rehearsed it, like we we were writing it, [and] he sang not the words, but sang the melody that you hear on the record, and I played the solo that you hear on the record, so it was one of those songs that it felt like it was almost 'unearthed' in a way, and we just tapped into something that was very soulful."
'Like a Stone' was Audioslave's biggest hit, topped both the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, and Hot Modern Rock Tracks charts in 2003. It also reached number 31 on the Hot 100 chart. The song also charted in Australia, Italy and New Zealand.
Watch video footage below.
Asked by eonmusic about the creation of 'Like a Stone', the 2003 single form their 2002 self-titled debut that has since gone on to be regarded as their defining song, Tom said that it had been a relatively simple process. "I came up with that chord progression late at night, with an acoustic guitar, just strumming around.", he said of the track's genesis. "I was strumming around in my house."
Singling out the immense contribution of bandmate and former Soundgarden man Chris Cornell, he said; "Part of the brilliance of Chris Cornell was that no matter what you threw at him; whether it was like a complicated or heavy riff, or a very very simple, sparce chord progression, he instantly came up with some brilliant melody. [a] haunting or, terrifying melody. That was very much the case with 'Like a Stone'."
Going on to discuss the first time that the full band - completed by bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk - worked together on the song, Morello said; "The first time that we rehearsed it, like we we were writing it, [and] he sang not the words, but sang the melody that you hear on the record, and I played the solo that you hear on the record, so it was one of those songs that it felt like it was almost 'unearthed' in a way, and we just tapped into something that was very soulful."
'Like a Stone' was Audioslave's biggest hit, topped both the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, and Hot Modern Rock Tracks charts in 2003. It also reached number 31 on the Hot 100 chart. The song also charted in Australia, Italy and New Zealand.
Watch video footage below.
