Complete List Of Poison Songs From A to Z

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The story of Poison begins in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett came together in 1983 under the name Paris. The band’s earliest years were marked by ambition and a raw commitment to the hard rock lifestyle that would define them. After guitarist Matt Smith left the band in 1985, the remaining members relocated to Los Angeles in pursuit of a major record deal and a more vibrant rock scene. It was in California that they completed their classic lineup with the addition of guitarist C.C. DeVille. The group changed their name to Poison, and within a few years, they transformed from small club regulars to MTV mainstays.

Their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, arrived in 1986 and proved to be a surprise commercial success. Initially overlooked by critics, the album’s combination of pop hooks, glam-metal image, and raw energy caught on with a young audience. Songs like “Talk Dirty to Me,” “I Want Action,” and “I Won’t Forget You” helped push the album to triple platinum status. Poison’s image — big hair, makeup, and flamboyant clothes — made them instant icons of the 1980s glam metal movement, whether loved or loathed.

The band followed up their debut with Open Up and Say… Ahh! in 1988, a record that cemented their status as a chart-topping act. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and delivered their only number one single, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” Other hits such as “Nothin’ But a Good Time” and “Fallen Angel” reinforced their popularity. Despite protests over the album’s original artwork, the record’s success continued to grow, eventually reaching five-times platinum status in the United States.

Poison’s third studio album, Flesh & Blood, released in 1990, marked a slight shift in their style, incorporating more serious and reflective lyrics alongside their party anthems. The album featured hit singles like “Unskinny Bop” and “Something to Believe In.” It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and sold over three million copies in the U.S., reinforcing their staying power at a time when glam metal was beginning to fall out of mainstream favor. The album showcased a band striving for maturity without abandoning the swagger that made them stars.

By the early 1990s, internal tensions and changing musical trends began to take a toll on the band. C.C. DeVille was fired after a chaotic performance at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards, and he was replaced by Richie Kotzen for the 1993 album Native Tongue. The record, though musically ambitious and featuring more blues-influenced guitar work, did not match the commercial heights of its predecessors. Kotzen’s tenure was cut short when he was fired for personal reasons and was replaced by Blues Saraceno.

In 1996, Poison reunited with C.C. DeVille and released Crack a Smile… and More!, an album that included recordings with Saraceno and previously unreleased material. The band’s next major commercial move came in the form of a greatest hits package — Poison’s Greatest Hits: 1986–1996 — which re-ignited interest in their catalog and went double platinum. This collection became a staple of their live shows and underscored just how many successful singles they had amassed in a relatively short time.

As the late 1990s gave way to the 2000s, Poison capitalized on a wave of nostalgia. Their 1999 reunion tour was a commercial success, and the band became a regular fixture on summer touring circuits. They released Power to the People in 2000, a combination of five new studio tracks and live cuts from their recent tour. Though it did not chart significantly, it demonstrated the band’s resilience and dedication to creating new music while honoring their past.

Their 2002 studio album, Hollyweird, saw the classic lineup return with a more contemporary take on their sound. The album included the single “Squeeze Box,” a cover of the classic by The Who, and while reviews were mixed, it was clear that Poison remained committed to maintaining their presence in rock music. They followed it with The Best of Ballads & Blues and continued to release compilations and live recordings throughout the decade.

In 2006, Poison celebrated their 20th anniversary with a major tour and the release of The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock, which entered the Billboard 200 at number 17 and was certified gold. The album included a new cover of Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re an American Band,” further expanding their connection to the classic rock world. Poison’s place as a live act remained strong, and their touring schedule continued into the late 2000s with co-headlining tours alongside acts like Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe.

Their seventh and most recent studio album, Poison’d!, was released in 2007 and featured covers of classic rock songs by artists such as David Bowie, Alice Cooper, and Tom Petty. The album was a commercial modest success and marked the band’s last full-length studio release to date. Poison’s ongoing popularity on the road continued to make up the core of their business, and they maintained a steady fanbase through constant touring and a willingness to embrace their legacy.

Over the course of their career, Poison has sold more than 16 million albums in the United States and over 50 million worldwide. Their ability to endure — through changing lineups, shifting musical climates, and decades of touring — speaks to the strength of their early work and the loyalty of their audience. Songs like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” have become part of the larger rock canon, often referenced in pop culture and covered by a wide range of artists.

Beyond music, frontman Bret Michaels has kept the band in the public eye through solo projects, reality TV appearances, and his work as a philanthropist. His win on Celebrity Apprentice and continued visibility in media have helped introduce Poison’s music to new generations, even as the band itself has largely focused on live performances rather than studio work in recent years.

Poison’s story is not just one of success but of reinvention and survival. They are a band that embraced their image without apology, delivered hooks that defined an era, and weathered storms both internal and external. More than four decades after forming, they continue to tour with their original lineup, offering fans a chance to relive the energy and excess of the glam metal era — with the same passion they had when it all began.