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

Harold Brown of War

Harold Brown of WarSongwriter Interviews

A founding member of the band War, Harold gives a first-person account of one of the most important periods in music history.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?