Hickory Dichotomy

Album: Stone Temple Pilots (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Guitarist Dean DeLeo commented to Musicradar.com: "Basically, it's a country song presented in a rock format. We seem to be able to do that without really trying.
    But now that I say that, I'm reminded that I was listening to a bit of country music before we made this record. There's two cats who just blow my mind: Jimmy Bryant, who was a fast Tele picker, and Speedy West, who played pedal steel. The recordings they did in the late '50s and early '60s were unreal.
    I am not putting myself in their league at all, but they did inspire me quite a bit, as does Jimmy Page, of course - I do a bit of him in the solo."
  • Dean DeLeo told Artist Direct: "I like where the band went with 'Hickory Dichotomy'—this country-honk-big-front-porch-foot-stompin-back-bunny-sort-of-thing [Laughs]. I really feel like I was able to branch out a little bit more on this record and take the liberty to solo a little more with keeping a song at three minutes long. I don't know that fans would really appreciate us doing Tales from Topographic Oceans at this point in our career [Laughs]. Maybe one day soon though, I hope."

Comments: 2

  • Lorren from CincinnatiMiss you Scott.
  • Rita from SocalMan, I miss the Pilots. These guys were so freaking great. RIP Scott, you are dearly missed. I hope you’re finally at peace.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.