‘If I Could Fly’: Scott Weiland’s Long-Hidden Song Released a Decade After His Passing

A decade after the death of Scott Weiland, fans of the late Stone Temple Pilots frontman have been given an unexpectedly intimate gift: an unreleased song titled If I Could Fly, finally emerging from his private archive after lying unheard for 25 years. The track, written in 2000 following the birth of his son Noah, reveals a softer, deeply reflective side of an artist more often associated with flamboyance, volatility and raw intensity.

First shared in a limited release for Record Store Day Black Friday, the song has now been made available to a wider audience, with a vinyl edition scheduled for release on 19 December. Its unveiling marks the first previously unheard recording to surface since Weiland’s passing, a fact that has lent the release particular emotional weight for long-time admirers.

A message posted on Weiland’s official Facebook page described the song as “an intimate, honest glimpse into his heart”, underscoring its personal origins and emotional candour. Unlike much of his celebrated catalogue, If I Could Fly is not driven by swagger or rebellion, but by tenderness and paternal devotion. The chorus, addressed directly to his young son, captures a rare vulnerability:

“If I could fly I would lift you up
And pull you out of the mudslide…”

The imagery is gentle yet powerful, suggesting a father’s instinct to protect, guide and shelter his child from harm. For many listeners, the song offers a poignant counterpoint to the turbulent public narrative that often surrounded Weiland’s life.

The accompanying social media statement also reflected on the scale of his musical legacy. As the charismatic frontman of Stone Temple Pilots and later Velvet Revolver, Weiland helped define the sound of modern rock across the 1990s and 2000s. His career encompassed global tours, major industry awards and the sale of tens of millions of records worldwide. Yet, as the post observed, it is songs like If I Could Fly that explain why fans remained so emotionally connected to him for decades.

Weiland died in his sleep in December 2015 while on tour, a loss that sent shockwaves through the music world. His management and family later confirmed the news, prompting an outpouring of tributes that acknowledged both his extraordinary talent and his complex personal struggles.

The release of If I Could Fly does not seek to rewrite Weiland’s history. Instead, it adds depth to it, offering a quieter, more contemplative chapter that resonates with authenticity and grace.

Key moments surrounding the song and its release are summarised below:

For fans old and new, If I Could Fly stands as a reminder that behind the spectacle and the mythology was a songwriter capable of profound tenderness—an artist whose voice continues to echo, long after the final note.