Poison is one of those bands that truly defined the 80s. With their big hair and boys-in-make-up look, it wasn’t just their sound that got them attention. They helped to shape the Glam Metal or Hair Metal scene that hit big in the mid-80s and continued into the early 90s.
With now reality-tv-famous Bret Michaels as the frontman, Bobby Dall on bass and keys, Rikki Rockett on drums, and the notorious C.C. DeVille on guitar, Poison was a real Rock machine. They got their start playing clubs in Pennsylvania. But, they soon moved to L.A. and became a Sunset Strip Legend. So, let’s take a look at their legacy by exploring the best poison songs of all time.
36 Best Poison Songs of All Time
1 Talk Dirty to Me (1986)
Poison had built up a big following in L.A. thanks to the power of their live show and their antics on the Sunset Strip. They struggled to get a record deal, however, and finally took an offer from Enigma, then a small label.
They hit the studio, and in May 1986, released their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In. The album wasn’t a hit right away, but it built up steam and peaked at #3 in the charts the following year.
Thanks in great part to this song…
“Talk Dirty to Me” is a song with an unclear history. The band claims that C.C. DeVille played this song when he auditioned for Poison, saying he had written it for his previous band, the Screaming Mimis (great name, BTW).
Strangely enough, a Glam Rock band from Chicago called Kid Rocker sued Poison in 2011, claiming that the song was stolen from them. The case was ultimately thrown out, but the song’s origins are still shrouded in mist.
Nevertheless, this song became a smash hit. It climbed to #9 on the charts and became a fan favorite. It’s lively, fast-paced, and super fun. This was one of the first Hair Metal mega-hits, but it wouldn’t be the last. The band is tight and strong on this track, and Michaels’ lyrics about young “love” started a trend of heavy innuendo in Poison’s lyrics.
2 I Won’t Forget You (1986)
Also, from 1986’s Look What the Cat Dragged In, “I Won’t Forget You” is a very different song for this band. This is the first of many great power ballads that made the band famous. It’s not quite as polished and moving as some of their others, but this was still a song that pulled at heartstrings.
The rhythm section is spot on here, giving DeVille plenty of room to grind on the guitar. Michaels sings his heart out, and with the backing vocals, this song really becomes an anthem. The lyrics are practically ripped right out of my junior high notebook.
Lines like, “Late at night I close my eyes – And think of how things could have been – And when I look back – I remember some words you had said to me – It’s better to have lost at love – Then never to have loved at all” are basic but relatable. I don’t know about you, but this song still makes me sigh over my first crush.
3 I Want Action (1986)
The next song from Poison’s debut album that has made our list of the best Poison songs of all time is “I Want Action.” This is the third single from the album, and what a rocker! The track plays up the party anthem side of the band. It’s a heavy, slightly swinging Rock song with an irresistible chorus that you can’t help but sing along to. “I want action tonight – Satisfaction alright!”
If you listen to this song and think of Kiss, you’re not alone. The beat and the bass line are very similar to the classic 70s band, and so is the overall lyrical structure.
And, like Kiss, Poison lays on the sexual innuendo thick. Lines like, “Long legs and short skirts – These girls hit me where it hurts – I can’t wait to get my hands on them – I won’t give up until they give in” tell you just what kind of action the boys are looking for.
4 Look What the Cat Dragged In (1986)
The last song from Poison’s debut album to make our list is the title track itself, “Look What the Cat Dragged In.” This is one of if not the greatest Poison songs ever released.
And here’s why…
The song uses a heavy, in-your-face Rock beat with slamming bass and chugging guitar to set the stage for this song. Brett Michaels sings with power and a snarl that he later softened as the band gained in popularity. And C.C. DeVille treats us to some of his best, screaming guitar work here.
The lyrics are, of course, full of sex and Rock n Roll references (no drugs!) and were considered pretty darned edgy when they came out. The chorus says it all. “Oh my god look what the cat dragged in – Livin’ my life sin after sin – Night rolls up and I do it again – Oh my god, look what the cat dragged in.”
5 Every Rose Has Its Thorn (1988)
After making a big splash with their debut and touring extensively for two years, Poison returned to the studio and started to record their follow-up album, Open Up and Say… Ahh! This album was an even bigger hit, driven by the success of several singles. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” was no doubt the most popular Poison song and has become the track that the band is best known for.
This song was a huge hit, possibly the biggest song of the whole Glam movement. As a Rock ballad, it has a sweet side to it but also a rough edge. This is a basic song all about heartbreak.
It begins with Michaels singing over an acoustic guitar before the band comes in. DeVille plays a touching couple of solos to carry you away, making this track one you can really get sad to. Grab a tub of ice cream, or better yet, a bottle of tequila, and sing your blues away.
6 Nothin’ But a Good Time (1988)
The next track on our list, “Nothin’ But a Good Time,” also hails from the band’s second album. In case you got too sad from the previous track, this one promises nothing but hedonistic fun. This song is all about sex, drugs (booze, anyway), and Rock n Roll. It’s a toast to the fans who work hard and look forward to the weekend.
The song has a mid-tempo beat, but it’s hard and heavy. DeVille doesn’t disappoint us here. He plays an incredible solo that stretches out into the final chorus, squealing and screeching to give the track great energy. If you’re looking for nothing but a good time, it doesn’t get better than this.
7 Fallen Angel (1988)
One of the most fun Rock ballads Poison put out is “Fallen Angel.” This is the story of a good girl gone bad in the big city and actually includes references to the band’s own trajectory. After all, they left their home in Pennsylvania to try to make it in L.A.
This song has a great beat and one of the most fun group choruses the band produced. DeVille gives us another flaming solo here, as well as some excellent chugging chords through the song.
Michaels’ lyrics tell us that life is a gamble, so you might as well have fun while you live it. “Win big – mama’s fallen angel – Lose big – living out her lies – Wants it all – mama’s fallen angel – Lose it all, rolling the dice of her life.”
8 Unskinny Bop (1990)
After another two years of touring and living the most intense Rock lifestyle, Poison showed no signs of slowing down. They put out their third album, Flesh & Blood, in 1990. And, while Hair Metal was soon on its way out, this record kept things alive for the die-hard fans.
I have to admit that “Unskinny Bop” from this album is my favorite Poison track. It just has a great sound to it. It’s up-tempo and positive. And the main guitar riff is just perfect. I love the pre-chorus, and I dare you to try not to sing along to the chorus. But what is an “unskinny bop”?
While it seems to refer to some kind of woman, it’s not very clear what it could mean. At least, until DeVille finally admitted that this was a place-keeper. He just made up some gibberish lyrics when writing the chorus, and the band liked it and never changed it. Weird but true!
9 Something to Believe In (1990)
Also, from their third album, “Something to Believe In,” was one of Poison’s biggest songs ever. This is another great Rock ballad that shows the band’s softer side. It was written as a tribute to a security guard who worked for the band and passed away.
This song is slow and soulful. It’s about the loss of good people in our lives, and suggests a sort of religiosity without being too specific, making this a song anyone can relate to. The best part of this song is the group chorus, done to perfection here. And DeVille’s solo is one of his most powerful and heartfelt ever. Bottom line – great song.
10 Ride the Wind (1990)
The last track on our list of the best Poison songs is “Ride the Wind.” This track, also from Flesh & Blood, is Poison’s tribute to the motorcycle. Lyrics like “Hearts of fire – Streets of stone – Modern warriors – Saddle iron horses of chrome” speak of the great romantic notion of getting on your bike and leaving it all behind.
This song has a perfect driving tempo. The chorus is in Poison’s signature sing-along style, and the overall song structure is just Hair Metal at its best. This song is a swirling Rock fantasy with intensity and an emphasis on living life to its fullest. “Ride the wind – Never coming back until I touch the midnight sun.”
11Blame It on You
12Stand
13Until You Suffer Some (Fire and Ice)
14Shooting Star
15Power to the People
16Come Hell or High Water
17Bad to Be Good
18Ain’t That the Truth
19Strange
20Seven Days over You
21Bring It Home
22Sexual Thing
23Ain’t Dead Yet
24Doin’ as I Seen on My TV
25Theatre of the Soul
26I Hate Every Bone in Your Body but Mine
27Tragically Unhip
28Shut Up, Make Love
29Wasteland
30The Scream
31I Won’t Be Your Fool Again
32Best Thing You Ever Had
33Power of Soul
34Cover of the Rolling Stone
35Stupid, Stoned & Dumb
36Rockstar
Want More Great Music From the 80s?
If so, check out our thoughts on the Best 80s Rock Songs, the Best 80s Rock Bands, the Most Famous Male Singers Of The 1980s, the Best 80s Love Songs, as well as the Most Famous Female Singers Of The 1980s for lots more incredible songs from the 80s.
The Very Best Poison Songs of All Time – Final Thoughts
You might have your own favorite Poison songs that mean something special to you. But you can’t argue that the ten tracks I’ve listed here are special works of magic from this hard-rocking band. It’s also no surprise that some of their best songs are slow ballads, showing that this band had more than one dimension.
Poison was one of the defining acts of the whole Glam Metal scene. They worked hard and paid their dues. Then, they made it big and partied just as hard. And they brought us all along for the wild, wild ride.
Until next time, happy listening.
