Sex Type Thing
"Sex Type Thing" is a song by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, serving as the lead single from their debut studio album Core, released on September 29, 1992.[1] Written by lead vocalist Scott Weiland with music composed by guitarist Robert DeLeo, the track features aggressive riffs and lyrics delivered from the first-person perspective of a sexual aggressor, including lines such as "I said you're gonna like it, I said you're gonna like it too" and references to ignoring protests like "Dancing on your grave."[2] The song sparked significant controversy upon release in March 1993, with critics and listeners accusing it of glorifying or promoting date rape due to its provocative viewpoint and Weiland's snarling delivery.[3] Weiland consistently refuted this, explaining that the lyrics were inspired by a real incident involving the gang rape of a former girlfriend and were intended as an anti-rape statement, adopting the predator's mindset to expose societal victim-blaming and the abuse of power, rather than endorsing it.[4][5] Despite defenses from the band, including in interviews where members noted the message was often lost amid misinterpretations, the track's raw portrayal contributed to its polarizing reception in the early 1990s grunge landscape.[3][2] It helped propel Core to commercial success, peaking at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100, though the band faced broader skepticism as perceived grunge imitators.[3]Production
Writing and Inspiration
The lyrics for "Sex Type Thing" were written by vocalist Scott Weiland, drawing inspiration from the assault of his then-girlfriend by three high-school football players, which he used to craft a narrative from the abuser's perspective as a critique of control, violence, and abuse of power rather than an endorsement of such acts.[3][4] Weiland explained the song's intent as confronting societal judgments, such as the notion that a woman's provocative behavior justifies assault, emphasizing in a 1993 MuchMusic interview that it addressed "judging a book by its cover" without implying victim culpability.[4] This approach aimed to provoke reflection on date rape dynamics, though Weiland later noted widespread misinterpretation by audiences who overlooked the sarcasm.[3] The music originated with guitarist Dean DeLeo, who composed the verse riff as a teenager around age 16, influenced by Led Zeppelin's "In the Light" from the 1975 album Physical Graffiti.[3] DeLeo described the track's development as organic, emerging from band jam sessions that shaped its heavy, riff-driven structure during the Core album's creation in 1992.[6] Weiland characterized the overall song as "very confrontational," aligning its raw energy with broader influences like provocative rap acts such as Ice-T and N.W.A., which informed his bold lyrical style.[3][6]Recording Process
The recording sessions for "Sex Type Thing" occurred as part of the production for Stone Temple Pilots' debut album Core at Rumbo Recorders in Canoga Park, California, a facility known for its advanced equipment and prior use by major rock acts.[7] [8] Brendan O'Brien served as producer and mixer, guiding the band through efficient tracking to capture their raw energy while refining arrangements.[8] [6] The Core sessions, including "Sex Type Thing," spanned roughly three weeks in late 1991, emphasizing live band performances with minimal overdubs to preserve authenticity.[6] [9] Guitarist Dean DeLeo recalled entering the studio with the song's core riff already developed outdoors on a Les Paul, drawing from Led Zeppelin's "In the Light" for its descending structure, which was then layered with rhythm section input from bassist Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz.[10] [11] Vocalist Scott Weiland tracked his parts in the studio during this period, with available 1992 footage showing him in the vocal booth amid the Core sessions, contributing to the track's provocative delivery.[12] Kretz highlighted O'Brien's hands-on approach, which involved real-time adjustments to drum patterns and overall mix balance, fostering a tense yet productive environment that honed the song's aggressive groove.[13] The final take integrated these elements without extensive revisions, reflecting O'Brien's philosophy of quick, decisive captures to avoid overproduction.[14]Musical Composition
Structure and Influences
"Sex Type Thing" employs a conventional verse-chorus structure common to alternative rock, opening with a heavy guitar riff that recurs as the primary hook throughout the track. The song progresses from an instrumental intro riff into the first verse, followed by a pre-chorus escalation—"It's only for a night / But after, it's over"—building to the explosive chorus declaring the protagonist's aggressive intentions. A second verse and chorus repeat the pattern, leading into a guitar solo over the riff after the second chorus, before concluding with additional choruses and a fade-out on the riff. This format, driven by the riff's repetitive, descending progression, creates a lumbering momentum that underscores the song's confrontational energy.[6] The central riff, described by the band as a "monster" and "huge, lumbering" element, was crafted by guitarist Dean DeLeo to provide rhythmic pockets that perfectly aligned with vocalist Scott Weiland's phrasing, particularly after the verse sections. DeLeo noted that the lick emerged organically, allowing the lyrics to "fall right in the holes," enhancing the track's cohesion during composition.[6] Musically, the song draws direct influence from Led Zeppelin's "In the Light," with DeLeo confirming in a 1997 interview that the track shaped the main riff's descending motif and overall feel. Weiland echoed this, stating the riff's Zeppelin-inspired foundation "fit perfectly with the lyrics," blending hard rock riffing with the grunge-era intensity of the band's debut album Core. This nod to classic rock roots amid the 1992 grunge landscape highlights STP's fusion of influences, though the song's raw execution aligns more closely with contemporary Seattle sounds than pure Zeppelin revivalism.[2][6][9]Instrumentation and Style
"Sex Type Thing" employs a standard rock quartet instrumentation consisting of lead vocals by Scott Weiland, electric guitar by Dean DeLeo, bass guitar by Robert DeLeo, and drums by Eric Kretz, with no additional orchestral or electronic elements.[15] The track was produced by Brendan O'Brien, who crafted a polished yet gritty sonic profile through layered distortion on guitars and tight rhythmic interplay, recorded during sessions for the band's debut album Core in 1992.[6] Dean DeLeo's guitar work anchors the song with heavy, sludgy riffs played in E minor, utilizing power chords and an uptempo, slamming metal phrasing that propels the verses and choruses.[6][16] Robert DeLeo's bass lines provide loose, aggressive grooves that underpin the riffing, while Eric Kretz's drumming delivers a steady, driving beat with emphatic fills to heighten tension, particularly in transitions.[16][6] The song's style fuses grunge and alternative metal conventions, evident in its raw aggression, distorted tones, and riff-driven structure influenced by Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.[6][15][17] Weiland's vocal delivery alternates between snarling verses and soaring choruses, amplifying the track's confrontational energy within the early 1990s alternative rock landscape.[6]Lyrics and Themes
Lyrical Content
The lyrics of "Sex Type Thing," penned by vocalist Scott Weiland for Stone Temple Pilots' 1992 debut album Core, adopt the first-person viewpoint of a domineering male narrator who articulates crude sexual pursuit and entitlement toward an unnamed woman.[4][18] The song's structure revolves around a repetitive refrain—"I am, I am, I am"—that punctuates verses detailing invasive intentions, such as "I said I wanna get next to you / I said I'm gonna get close to you," coupled with an implicit threat of violence: "You wouldn't want me have to hurt you too."[18] This establishes a tone of coercive proximity and dismissal of the woman's agency, framing her potential resistance as provocation. Subsequent verses escalate the narrator's self-justification, rejecting her "apathy" while vowing to impart his "philosophy" on "atrocity," and presuming alignment with her inner desires: "I know you want what's on my mind / I know you like what's on my mind / I know it eats you up inside."[18] The chorus reinforces a declarative masculinity—"I am a man, a man"—promising indelible impact through assaultive means, explicitly invoking victim-blaming rhetoric: "I'll give ya something that you won't forget / I said you shouldn't have worn that dress / You know you asked for it, you slut."[18] Overall, the lyrical content deploys raw, confrontational phrasing to portray objectification and rationalized aggression, with motifs of blame-shifting attire and presumed consent recurring to underscore the narrator's unyielding dominance.[18][2]Band's Intent and Sarcasm
Scott Weiland, the band's lead singer and lyricist, intended "Sex Type Thing" as a condemnation of date rape and abusive power dynamics, rather than a celebration of them. He explained that the song addresses control, violence, and sexism, not sex itself, stating: "This song is really not about sex at all. It's about control, violence and abuse of power."[2] The lyrics adopt the first-person perspective of an aggressor to expose and critique such predatory attitudes, employing irony to portray a deranged mindset that objectifies women.[4] Weiland drew inspiration from a traumatic incident involving a former girlfriend who was raped, which compelled him to highlight the "creepy power of rape" through the song's narrative.[2] However, the ironic approach led to widespread misinterpretation, with some listeners and critics accusing the band of promoting rape culture, particularly as audiences moshed enthusiastically without grasping the anti-rape message.[4][5] Weiland expressed frustration over this, noting in interviews that the intent was the opposite of condoning violence: "It’s meant to speak out against date rape, but that message is often lost in the music."[4] To underscore the sarcasm and distance himself from the aggressor's viewpoint, Weiland occasionally performed the song in drag, wearing a dress and lipstick during live shows to signal the critique of toxic masculinity.[4] Band members later reflected that the track's provocative style, while effective in evoking discomfort, amplified the risk of it being taken literally by those unfamiliar with ironic intent in rock lyrics.[6] This approach aligned with broader grunge-era tactics of using exaggeration to dismantle macho stereotypes, though it drew backlash from those who overlooked the satirical edge.[19]Alternative Interpretations
Some listeners and critics have interpreted the lyrics of "Sex Type Thing" at face value, perceiving them as an endorsement of coercive sexual dominance and victim-blaming rather than ironic condemnation. Lines such as "I said ya shouldn't have worn that dress" and "You wouldn't want me have to hurt you too, hurt you too" have been highlighted as normalizing rape-justifying rationalizations, with the song's raw, aggressive delivery amplifying perceptions of machismo over critique.[4][20][21] This literal reading gained traction early in the song's reception, leading to accusations that Stone Temple Pilots were promoting rape culture through their debut single; fans reportedly moshed enthusiastically at live performances, seemingly embracing the predatory persona without grasping purported sarcasm.[3][4] Scott Weiland later addressed such backlash by performing in drag to underscore the lyrics' critical intent, but detractors argued the ambiguity rendered any anti-misogyny message ineffective, potentially reinforcing harmful stereotypes in a male-dominated rock genre.[4][20] Other analyses diverge by framing the track as an exploration of obsessive relational dynamics or generalized abuse of power, beyond a specific anti-date-rape stance. Weiland described it in one interview as a metaphor for a "lost obsessive relationship," emphasizing emotional control over literal assault.[22] This view posits the narrator's fixation as symptomatic of broader psychological compulsion, with sexual threats symbolizing dominance rather than advocacy for violence.[23] Critics like Robert Christgau contended that even if satirical, the song's structure—pairing explicit threats with anthemic rock energy—invited misappropriation, faulting the band for underestimating how audiences might internalize the rapist perspective without contextual cues.[20] Such interpretations highlight tensions in grunge-era lyrics, where irony risked blending into the era's prevalent themes of alienation and aggression, potentially diluting intent amid listener projections.[24][25]Release and Commercial Performance
Single Formats and Release Dates
"Sex Type Thing" was first released as a promotional CD single in the United States in 1992.[15] Commercial single releases followed in 1993 across multiple formats and regions, including CD, vinyl, and cassette.[15] The primary formats included:| Format | Country/Region | Release Year | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD, Single | Europe | 1993 | A5769CD, 7567-85769-2 |
| 12", 45 RPM, Single | UK | 1993 | A5769T, 7567-85769-0 |
| CD, Single (Digipak) | UK | 1993 | A7293CDX, 7567-85704-2 |
| Cassette, Single | UK | 1993 | A7293C, 7567-8729342 |
| 12", Picture Disc (Limited) | UK | 1993 | A7293TP, 7567-85703-0 |
| CD, Single | Australasia | 1993 | 7567-85769-2 |
Chart Positions and Sales
"Sex Type Thing" peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart (now known as Mainstream Rock Airplay) following its release as a single in early 1993.[26] [27]| Country | Chart Name | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 23 |
| United Kingdom | UK Singles Chart | 60 |