The song is the opening track to the double album Out of the Blue. It was the first song released as a single from the LP. The single reached #18 in the U.K. charts and stayed there for 12 weeks. Out of four singles from from the album, "Turn to Stone" was the only song not to reach the top ten in the U.K. singles charts. The song featured in the Doctor Who episode "Love & Monsters" (2006), along with "Mr. Blue Sky" and "Don't Bring Me Down", both of which were performed by characters in the episode. The song is also featured in the movie Detroit Rock City. This song bears some resemblance to "Heading for the Light", a song by the supergroup the Travelling Willburys. This may not be surprising, considering Jeff Lynne's membership in both groups.