Album: Blaster (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by a viewing of a Prohibition Era-set movie. "It's a musical homage to the film Lawless… moonshine, jalopies… the whole scene," Scott Weiland told Billboard magazine. "It's got a sludgy, bluesy stomp from start to finish yet there are ethereal elements that take you on a journey."

    "The riff has been in the back of my head for a long time," he added, "but when I wrote the lyrics I had just watched the film, it was on my mind, and the words just naturally flowed with the overall tone of the song."
  • In 1920 the prohibition of alcoholic drinks came into effect in the United States. It was intended to eliminate the saloon and the drunkard from American society. A consequence of the prohibition law was the creation of an illegal alcohol industry that was controlled by the Mafia. 'White lightning' is a slang term used to describe high-proof distilled spirits produced illicitly.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Booker T. Jones

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.