"Big Bang Baby" is a song by American rock band Stone Temple Pilots. It was the first single to be released from their third studio album, Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop. The song appeared on several US Billboard charts, topping the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, peaking at No. 2 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and reaching No. 28 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. In Canada, it entered the top 20, peaking at No. 18 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. "Big Bang Baby" later appeared on the band's greatest hits album, Thank You (2003).
Background
Referencing the Tiny Music... album in his memoir, Not Dead and Not For Sale, Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland wrote: "We wanted to make a statement. We wanted to deconstruct, go low-tech, get to the dark heart of the matter. I was happy to write Bowie-esque stream-of-consciousness lyrics that didn't need to make sense. Example: 'Big Bang Baby.'"[3]
Music video
The music video features the band performing in a white room. It is an intentional pastiche of videos from the early days of MTV, which were mostly shot on videotape rather than film, and most directly evokes the look of the J. Geils Band's "Freeze Frame".[4] The video was directed by the album artwork's artist, John Eder (marking his directorial debut), and was shot in Los Angeles on March 19, 1996.[5]
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Release history
References
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Stone Temple Pilots: Thank You – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ a b "The 96 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1996". Spin. August 31, 2016. p. 4. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Weiland, Scott (2010). Not Dead and Not For Sale. New York City: Scribner. p. 119. ISBN 978-0743297172.
- ^
Beebe, Roger; Middleton, Jason (2007). Medium Cool: Music Videos from Soundies to Cellphones. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press. p. 308. ISBN 978-0822341390.
- ^ Rosen, Craig (March 30, 1996). "'Tiny Music...' Big News for STP". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 13. p. 148.
- ^ "Stone Temple Pilots – Big Bang Baby". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 2997". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ^ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Image 9197". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Chart Log UK: DJ S - The System Of Life". www.zobbel.de. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart on 5/5/1996 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
- ^ "Stone Temple Pilots Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ "Stone Temple Pilots Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ "Stone Temple Pilots Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ "RPM Year End Alternative Top 50". RPM. Retrieved January 10, 2026 – via Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "The Year in Music: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-76.
- ^ "The Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-78.
- ^ "Selected New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1136. March 8, 1996. p. 25.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. April 27, 1996. p. 47.
|
|---|
|
| Studio albums | |
|---|
| Extended plays | |
|---|
| Compilations | |
|---|
| Singles | |
|---|
| Promotional singles | |
|---|
| Concert tours | |
|---|
| Related articles | |
|---|
|
| Authority control databases | |
|---|
