No Way Out

Album: No. 4 (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a rather despondent song, where the singer feels he can't escape. Lead singer Scott Weiland revealed that many of his lyrics were inspired by his battles with drug addiction and his personal demons.

    A song about feeling that there's no escape titled "No Way Out" would have been very much the thoughts of lead man Weiland, having served time on drug charges. STP guitarist Dean DeLeo (who was also this song's co-writer), in an interview while Weiland was incarcerated, stated that in all probability "the judge saved his life."

    Weiland's struggles continued, and the band had to cancel a planned tour to promote the album, which still sold over a million copies. He later recorded with Velvet Revolver and with his band, The Wildabouts, but was never able to shed his demons completely. On December 3, 2015, he was found dead on his tour bus.
  • The video was made by having 400 radio station contest winners videotape a private concert of the band performing this. Footage from the tapes was edited together to form the video. The band wanted their fans to make their video because they were fed-up with the state of music videos, which they felt were shallow and formulaic.
  • MTV banned the first video the group submitted due to excessive nudity. It had to be re-edited.

Comments: 6

  • Seth from Hebron, KySounds like a stage fright song or paparazzi.
  • Kevin from Calgary, CanadaIf anyone makes a post where they don't express their views on the meaning of the song "ill (sic) destroy the world."

    The lyrics fit the idea of drug use.
  • Alex from Madrid, SpainBest performance ever by a rock singer, male or female. WEILAND ROCKS!!!
  • Tom from Auckland, New Zealandonly stone temple pilot song i dont like...
  • Randy from Houston, TxMike, you just jinxed your own mandate. This song feels like the Core days. Good stuff.
  • Mike from Mckinney, TxKiller song, if anyone adds that this is about his addiction, ill destroy the world.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.