Stone Temple Pilots exploded onto the music scene in 1992 with their groundbreaking debut album, Core. This album unleashed a trio of massive hits – “Sex Type Thing,” “Plush,” and “Creep” – instantly catapulting them into the burgeoning grunge movement. While initial criticisms labeled them as derivative of grunge pioneers like Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, or STP, quickly carved out their unique identity.
Frontman Scott Weiland, with his distinctive vocals and captivating stage presence, alongside the DeLeo brothers – Dean on guitar and Robert on bass – and drummer Eric Kretz, proved their staying power. Their sophomore album, 1994’s Purple, showcased the band’s impressive versatility and songwriting depth. Tracks like “Vasoline,” “Interstate Love Song,” and “Big Empty” solidified STP’s position as a leading force in rock music during that era.
Throughout their career, Stone Temple Pilots have gifted fans with five studio albums, including 1996’s Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop, 1999’s No. 4, and 2001’s Shangri-La Dee-Da. Each album delivered chart-topping hits, further cementing their legacy in rock history. Like many bands, STP has navigated periods of turbulence, notably Scott Weiland’s well-documented battles with addiction and legal issues. The band and Weiland parted ways in 2013, and STP then collaborated with Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, briefly becoming Stone Temple Pilots Featuring Chester Bennington, releasing the EP High Rise in 2013.
Despite these shifts, Stone Temple Pilots’ extensive catalog remains a treasure trove of exceptional music. Below, we delve into the heart of their discography, presenting our definitive list of the 10 best Stp Songs that every fan should know. These tracks represent the pinnacle of their creative output and continue to resonate with audiences today. Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to their music, this guide to stp songs will illuminate the brilliance of Stone Temple Pilots.
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- “Sex Type Thing”
“Sex Type Thing” wasn’t just Stone Temple Pilots’ debut single from Core; it was a raw, visceral statement that announced their arrival. The music video, a staple on MTV in 1992, featured a shirtless Scott Weiland swinging on chains against an industrial backdrop, embodying the song’s gritty energy. This track served as the world’s introduction to STP, immediately placing them within the then-emerging grunge scene. Even decades later, this heavy, driving track retains its power and impact, proving its timeless appeal as one of the quintessential stp songs.
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- “Lady Picture Show”
“Lady Picture Show” stands out as a gem from the band’s 1996 album, Tiny Music… Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop. With its distinct Beatles-esque flavor, this song unveils a completely different facet of Stone Temple Pilots’ musicality. The melodic structure and whimsical lyrics showcase their versatility beyond hard rock anthems. Notably, “Lady Picture Show” is one of three stp songs that climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, highlighting its widespread appeal and radio success.
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- “Vasoline”
“Vasoline,” the second single from Purple, is an infectious rock track with a darker, more personal lyrical depth. Scott Weiland himself revealed in his autobiography, Not Dead and Not For Sale, that the song directly addresses his struggles with heroin addiction. Musically, “Vasoline” is elevated by drummer Eric Kretz’s intricate and syncopated drum pattern, which adds layers of complexity to the seemingly straightforward guitar riff, making it a standout among stp songs for its rhythmic innovation and lyrical honesty.
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- “Creep”
“Creep,” the fourth single from Core, unveiled a more introspective and tender side of Stone Temple Pilots. This song explored softer sonic territories, a direction they would further pursue in tracks like “Big Empty” and “Lady Picture Show.” “Creep”‘s haunting melody and relatable lyrics, encapsulated in the memorable chorus – “I’m half the man I used to be / This I feel as the dawn it fades to gray” – resonated deeply with listeners, making it a fan favorite and a key example of the band’s dynamic range within their stp songs catalog.
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- “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart”
“Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart,” another standout track from Tiny Music… Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop, bursts with upbeat energy and showcases Stone Temple Pilots at their creative peak. This song highlights their exceptional musicianship, featuring a monster bass line from Robert DeLeo and a stellar guitar solo from Dean DeLeo. The chorus, with the defiant line “I’m not dead and I’m not for sale,” even inspired the title of Scott Weiland’s 2012 autobiography. The music video offers a glimpse into the band’s daily life and studio recording sessions, adding another layer of connection for fans of stp songs.
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- “Dead & Bloated”
“Dead & Bloated” serves as the explosive opening track of Stone Temple Pilots’ debut album Core. This heavy, impactful tune immediately grabs attention with Scott Weiland’s a cappella opening: “I am smelling like the rose / That somebody gave me / On my birthday deathbed.” A fan favorite for its raw energy and intensity, “Dead & Bloated” encapsulates the hunger and ambition of a band poised to make their mark. While STP boasts more commercially successful tracks, this deep cut remains essential, capturing the nascent power of stp songs in their early days.
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- “Down”
Stone Temple Pilots’ 1999 album No. 4 marked a deliberate return to their heavier rock roots, and “Down,” the lead single, exemplifies this shift. Arguably their most hard-hitting song to date, “Down” delivers a crushing sonic experience that resonated with fans and critics alike. The track earned a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance, underscoring its impact and power within the landscape of hard rock and stp songs, although it ultimately lost to Rage Against The Machine’s “Guerilla Radio.”
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- “Big Empty”
“Big Empty,” the first single from Purple, represented a significant departure for Stone Temple Pilots, showcasing their versatility and willingness to experiment. Remarkably, the band debuted this track on MTV’s Unplugged in 1993, months before the album’s release. Initially omitted from the broadcast, the stellar Unplugged performance gained traction on MTV after the song became a hit. “Big Empty” also featured on the soundtrack of the 1994 film The Crow, further amplifying its reach and solidifying its place among iconic stp songs. The MTV Unplugged performance remains a testament to the song’s enduring emotional resonance.
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- “Plush”
“Plush” is undeniably the song that catapulted STP to mainstream fame. Released in 1993 as the second single from Core, “Plush” garnered critical acclaim, winning the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. This iconic track also contributed to the band receiving the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 1994. “Plush”‘s unforgettable riff and Scott Weiland’s compelling vocals made it an instant classic and a cornerstone of stp songs.
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- “Interstate Love Song”
“Interstate Love Song” claims the top spot on our list as the best Stone Temple Pilots song and stands tall among the greatest rock anthems of the 1990s. This concise and powerful track is a masterclass in songwriting, featuring a Led Zeppelin-esque riff and an incredibly catchy chorus. Each band member shines: Eric Kretz’s dynamic drumming, Robert DeLeo’s melodic bass lines, Dean DeLeo’s memorable guitar work, and Scott Weiland’s exceptional vocals all converge to create magic. “Interstate Love Song” dominated the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for an astounding 15 weeks in 1994. The song’s bizarre music video, featuring a man in a creepy mask with an ever-growing nose, only adds to its unforgettable and iconic status within the realm of stp songs.
What’s Your Favorite Stone Temple Pilots Song?
What are your thoughts on our ranking of the 10 Best Stone Temple Pilots songs? Are there any stp songs we overlooked? Should tracks like “Wicked Garden,” “Sour Girl,” or “Between The Lines” have made the cut? What would your personal top 10 STP songs list look like? Share your opinions in the comments below!
