Album: Core (1992)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A track from Stone Temple Pilots' debut album, Core, lead singer Scott Weiland wrote the lyrics based on STP bass player Rob DeLeo's bad relationship with a woman. Many of Weiland's lyrics are personal, but he would often write from the perspective of others, and in this case his channeled his bandmate.
  • Core became a defining album of the grunge era, putting STP on par with acts like Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. They had a few things going for them. For one, Weiland had yet to try heroin, which haunted him from the time he did in 1993. Also, they were hungry. "It was all or nothing," bass player Robert DeLeo told Songfacts. "That record and the energy we put into that, it allowed us to make another record."

Comments: 3

  • Devalle from Houston, TxI honestly believe he's talking about drinking Gin or Vodka, which both are sometimes refer to as Holy Water or Sin. At least that's what we called it back in the late 90's. The more you drink the stronger you feel.
  • Spog Zallagi from Blue Hill, MeThis song is really dark and scary to me. I always play this song when I think of George Bush (Insane manic cackling. Sound of sniper rifle cocking) "Sink into the wholes in my eyes" Very disturbing. It's a perfect song for a horror movie. When ever I play this song I alway ALWAYS reminded of people that have caused me pain. And it is soothing when bad memories come up. This and Boston's "Don't Look Back" sooth me. If I sound screwed up I'm not. Really...who likes cheese!
  • Cel from Philadelphia, PaMy fave STP song!! I love the repeat "Down you go, suffer long. Down you go, sin make me strong."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"They're Playing My Song

Armed with a childhood spent devouring books, Mike Scott's heart was stolen by the punk rock scene of 1977. Not surprisingly, he would go on to become the most literate of rockers.