Question 1

Does Poison write its own songs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and always together. Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett appear on 74 of the 90 album tracks in this catalogue, always with whoever is playing lead guitar. No member has a solo writing credit on any album track.

Question 2

Who wrote "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"?

Accepted Answer

Michaels, Dall, Rockett and C.C. DeVille, the same four-way credit the rest of the album carries. It is the band's only Hot 100 number one.

Question 3

Who wrote "Talk Dirty to Me"?

Accepted Answer

The same four. It reached number 9 on the Hot 100 and was the first single to break them.

Question 4

What happens when the guitarist changes?

Accepted Answer

The new one joins the credit. Richie Kotzen wrote all fifteen tracks on Native Tongue with the other three, and Blues Saraceno fourteen on Crack a Smile.

Question 5

How many albums did they release?

Accepted Answer

Seven studio albums between 1986 and 2007. The live records and compilations sit outside this catalogue.

Question 6

Why does Poison'd! have no band credits?

Accepted Answer

It is a covers album. All thirteen tracks belong to other writers, from Pete Townshend and David Bowie to Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina.

Question 7

How well did they sell?

Accepted Answer

Over 65 million records and DVDs worldwide. Open Up and Say... Ahh! was certified 5x platinum in the US and Look What the Cat Dragged In 3x platinum.

Question 8

Which album sold best?

Accepted Answer

Flesh & Blood, their third consecutive multi-platinum record.

Question 9

Which songs were not written by the band?

Accepted Answer

"Your Mama Don't Dance" on Open Up and Say... Ahh!, "Cover of the Rolling Stone" on Crack a Smile, "Squeeze Box" on Hollyweird, and everything on Poison'd!.

Question 10

Are they still active?

Accepted Answer

The band ran from 1983 to 2012 and again from 2017 to 2023.