Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…

Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song (1994)

Interstate Love Song – Wikipedia

” Interstate Love Song” is a single by American rock band Stone Temple Pilots. Released in September 1994, the song is from the band’s second studio album, . Considered one of the band’s biggest hits, “Interstate Love Song” reached number one on the US Album Rock Tracks chart (current Mainstream Rock) on September 17, 1994, replacing the band’s previous single ” Vasoline”.

Lyrics (via Genius)

Read “Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots on Genius

We’re remaining in the US, dear reader, but leaving Seattle, Washington, and making our way to San Diego, California. Stone Temple Pilots were formed in 1989 and enjoyed their biggest success when led by frontman, Scott Weiland. We join them in 1994 with the release of their second album, Purple, and from there 1001 Songs have gone with the track – Interstate Love Song.

Interstate Love Song is semi autobiographical. At the time of its composition Scott Weiland was struggling with heroin addiction while on the road touring. He was in touch with his girlfriend by phone and she would ask how he was doing, and Weiland would lie to her and insist all was well. Interstate Love Song is written from the perspective of Weiland’s girlfriend and reflects the sorrow she feels in hearing from her lover and knowing that he is persistently lying to her. Despite the deception, Weiland would marry his girlfriend in the same month as the release of this song as a single though they would divorce in 2000.

Interstate Love Song quickly became one of Stone Temple Pilots’ biggest hits and was considered one of their more radio friendly efforts. The group separated in 2003 to pursue other projects but reunited in 2008 and continue in the present day. Weiland’s time with the band ended in 2013 when he was fired from Stone Temple Pilots. Just two years later in December 2015, Weiland was found dead, the result of an accidental drug overdose. He was only 48 years old.

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Ultravox – Vienna (1980)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)

Suede – Animal Nitrate (1993)