The early ’90s were a time of many great alt-rock acts who rose above the primordial sophistication of hair metal and post-Pistols punk to form something completely new. At the forefront of this new sound were bands such as Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden, all of whom loved to crank up the distortion and wail on some vocals. Though most of these bands garnered attention, none have lasted as long nor received such radio-acclaim as a little grunge band known Stone Temple Pilots, or STP. This top ten list takes a look at the songs that define the band.
10. Sour Girl
A song of love scorned, this single is better remembered for its music video featuring singer Scott Weiland’s intriguing swaying, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and little people in bunny costumes.
9. Creep
Not to be confused with Radiohead’s hit of the same name, this tune comes off quite creepy. The lyrics are near-storybook rhymish, the instrumentation sparse, and the vocals haunting.
8. Big Empty
Follows much in the same vein as “Creep”, only with greater input from guitarist Dean DeLeo. Weiland’s lyrics are clear here, and the intention is to depict a long drive with a long silence. After all, “conversations kill”. Great late night drive tune.
The guitar riff is 50s surf rock with a twist. Weiland is subdued but raspy, and Big Bang Baby is probably the most fun song to sing-a-long.
6. Sex Type Thing
“I know you want what’s on my mind / I know you like what’s on my mind”. The sex type thing that this song promotes is brutal, down right scary. Weiland’s vocals come across as gruff and dominant, something far removed from typical STP. Sex Type Thing” has a lot of forceful energy behind it, and I can think of more than one racing video games that has licensed this track for testosterone-laden stimulation.
5. Vasoline
The most experimental offering, “Vasoline” is an assault on the ears. Only three minutes long, there’s time for an unusual meter drum beat, a short solo, and some psychedelic lyrics. If you can sing along word for word, congratulations.
4. Trippin’ On a Hole in A Paper Heart
This song is relentlessly rhythmic; most of the verse consists of a very choppy palm-muted guitar. There’s a very distinct pulse throughout the chorus, and underneath Weiland’s raspy vocals is probably hands down the coolest bass lick ever played. Dean DeLeo’s guitar solo explodes out of nowhere and quickly plays against the rhythmic grain until he falls back into the chugging. This song shows off STP’s virtuosity in a big way.
3. Wicked Garden
“Burn, burn, burn.” This song is raw and crunchy, full of that grunge sound that was popular at the time of Core‘s release.
2. Interstate Love Song
Nothing, I mean nothing, longs to be a true southern rock song like Interstate Love Song. The intro slide-guitar sets the tone perfectly, and Weiland belts out lines that would make Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker proud: “Leaving on a southern train / only yesterday you lied / promises of what I seemed to be / only watched the time go by”. The song is sad but as sweet and molasses.
1. Plush
This is the staple of the Stone Temple Pilots repertoire. STP’s first number one single from their debut album Core, Plush is a song that grinds. The main riff is delightfully slow and Weiland shows off astounding vocals which are somewhere in the emotional range and timbre of a lumberjack love song. An MTV Unplugged version featuring a lone acoustic has become quite popular, and is a testament to the simplicity of tune. Overall, Plush is Stone Temple Pilots most recognizable song.
