Compared to their contemporaries, yes, STP were tolerable, but I don't think the purpose of the thread was to argue that a great American rock song could only be considered within the realm of popular rock radio.
I suppose the use of "American" may connotate something big, which, in turn, can be popular. Is that what you're thinking? That the use of "American" must mean it has to be a grand statement, and not simply a descriptor of the song's origin?