Look What the Cat Dragged In

Look What the Cat Dragged In
Studio album by Poison
Released	August 2, 1986
Recorded	March 1986 at Music Grinder Studios in Los Angeles, California
Genre	Glam metal
Length	38:14
Label	Enigma Records Capitol
Producer	Ric Browde
Professional reviews
Allmusic link
Poison chronology
Look What the Cat Dragged In (August 2, 1986) Open Up and Say...Ahh! (May 21, 1988)

Look What the Cat Dragged In is the debut studio album by American glam metal band Poison, released in 1986 through the Enigma label of Capitol Records.

Though not a success at first, the album steadily built momentum and peaked at #3 on the charts on May 23, 1987. The album spawned four singles, three of them charting successfully: "Talk Dirty to Me", "I Want Action", "I Won't Forget You", and "Cry Tough". The album is a prime example of the glam metal genre both musically and image-wise.

Musical style

Described by Revolver Magazine as "oversexed, underthought, and relentlessly fun",^[1] the album's style is often described as "glam metal" and was strongly influenced by East-Coast bands such as KISS, and Aerosmith. It is a sound dominated by simple distorted power chords and catchy melodies. Reflecting a period before the band's music began to take on the influence of Californian, Van Halen styled stadium rock, the album is characterised by more traditional Heavy Metal sounds.

Production and marketing

The record was described by vocalist Bret Michaels as a "glorified demo". It was recorded at Music Grinder Studios in Los Angeles, California with producer Ric Browde in twelve days, for a cost of US $23,000, part of which was funded from the pockets of the band members and their families.

The front cover of the album featured the members of Poison at their most "glam", with each sporting excessive make-up, thick girlish hair, and the pouting "kiss" pose which was to become a Poison trademark. The cover is often compared to Mötley Crüe's Shout at the Devil because of the similar album cover, but it also may or may not have represented a loose parody of the cover of the The Beatles' Let It Be, or perhaps more likely, Van Halen's debut album.

Themes and tracks

The album’s themes are ambition ("Cry Tough"), lust ("I Want Action", "Want Some, Need Some"), sexual frustration ("Blame It On You"), love lost ("I Won't Forget You"), and, most importantly, anti-social behavior ("No. 1 Bad Boy", "Look What the Cat Dragged In", "Let Me Go To The Show" and "Play Dirty").

"Talk Dirty to Me" was written by guitarist C. C. DeVille prior to his joining the band. DeVille played it to Bret Michaels, Rikki Rockett and Bobby Dall during his audition for the role as the band's guitarist. Talk Dirty To Me has been covered by several bands, including Kittie Dammer (Russian Glam metal band)(а Ирина Ролл пиздец крута), Children of Bodom and Reel Big Fish. It is also included as a playable cover track in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, with Michaels re-recording the vocals.

Track listing

All songs written by Poison

1. "Cry Tough" - 3:14
2. "I Want Action" - 3:04
3. "I Won't Forget You" - 3:34
4. "Play Dirty" - 4:06
5. "Look What the Cat Dragged In" - 3:11
6. "Talk Dirty to Me" - 3:43
7. "Want Some, Need Some" - 3:38
8. "Blame It on You" - 2:31
9. "#1 Bad Boy" - 3:14
10. "Let Me Go to the Show" - 2:45

Bonus tracks on the 20th anniversary remaster:

1. "I Want Action" (single version)
2. "I Won't Forget You" (single version)
3. "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" (Jim Croce cover)

Singles

• Cry Tough / Look What The Cat Dragged In - August 5, 1986 - Enigma 5656
• Talk Dirty To Me / Want Some Need Some - February 18, 1987 - Enigma 5686
• I Want Action / #1 Bad Boy - May 20, 1987 - Enigma 44004
• I Won't Forget You / Blame It On You - August 5, 1987 - Enigma 44038

Band Members

• Bret Michaels - lead vocals
• C.C. DeVille - lead guitar
• Bobby Dall - bass
• Rikki Rockett - drums

References

• Classic Rock Revisited Interview with Bret Michaels Retrieved January 19, 2005.