After hiring C.C. DeVille, they changed their name to the more edgy ''Poison'' and started working their way up the L.A. Club scene. In 1986 they recorded their debut album ''Look What the Cat Dragged In'', which was made successful by their massive hit ''Talk Dirty to Me'', whose video was played on a constant rotation on MTV. Poison's next album, the fan favorite ''Open Up and Say... Ahh!'' was carried on the shoulders of the chart topping ballad ''Every Rose Has Its Thorn'', written by Bret Michaels about his girlfriend cheating on him with Quiet Riot frontman Kevin DuBrow. Poison's third album, Flesh & Blood, showed Poison's more mainstream side. After Flesh & Blood came out, Poison started going downhill. C.C. DeVille was in a constant drug binge and couldn't be found. When Poison was slated to play Unskinny Bop for the MTV Movie Awards, C.C. forgot what song to play and ripped into Talk Dirty To Me on live television. He was fired on the spot.
Guitarist Ritchie Kotzen was brought in to record the album Native Tongue, which showed a new creative turn for the band. Ritchie was a good guitarist, but was thrown out of the band for sleeping with drummer Rikki Rocketts fiance. Poison then brought in Blues Saraceno as guitarist, with whom they recorded ''Crack A Smile...And More!'', one of Poison's lost gems.
After years of disconnection, C.C. DeVille came back to Poison for a full reunion. They have since toured with many acts, including KISS. They are currently planning a summer tour with fellow hair metal elite Cinderella and have just released a new 20th anniversary greatest hits cd.
In the 2007 game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, the track "Talk Dirty to Me" is featured.
There are other artists with the same name:
2) Poison is a German Death/Thrash Metal band, formed in 1982.
Named "Poison (ger)" on Last FM
3) Poison was a Japanese hardcore punk band formed in 1982. Their sound is a mix of traditional Japanese hardcore and metal. The band later changed their name to Poison Arts.
4) Poison is an American Heavy/Speed Metal band, formed in 1983.
5) Poison is an American funk group formed in the '70s
6) Poison was a Finnish band formed by Albert Järvinen
7) For the Garage punk/blues rock band formed in 1984 in Austin, Texas. Originally active from 1984 to 1987, the band played a reunion show in 2000. See Poison 13
Strike Up the Band
Poison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never ever getting paid
Kicking ass and paying dues
Lose our mind in self abuse
Loving ladies by the score
Waking up and wanting more
I hope my Mama understands
Well I spit out my anger as the sweat do fly
Fifteen years of paying dues just to get me by
Now the barkeeps would pay us by the crowds we bring
But those son-of-bitches never paid us one damn thing
And my poor Daddy, he just don't understand
It's balls out tonight, watch the shit hit the fan
When we strike up the band
Now those drop dead ladies line the very first row
I do believe I'd like to spend some time after the show
Now them years gone by, the barkeeps pay in cash
And them lovely ladies feed me an earful of trash
And my old lady, she just don't understand
Why those floozies got their hands on her man
And my poor Daddy, he still don't understand
Why it's balls out tonight watch the shit hit the fan
Give it all that we can, we don't give a good damn
When we strike up the band
Living like a gypsy,
an air conditioned hippie
Who's never seen the light of day
Rode dog and cowboy
Don't know how, boy
I ever lived this long this way, no, no, said
And my poor Daddy, he still don't understand
Why it's balls out tonight watch the shit hit the fan
Give it all that we can, we don't give a good damn
When we strike up the band
The lyrics to Poison's song "Strike Up The Band" tell the story of a struggling musician or band that is living off the support of friends, never getting paid for their gigs, and often losing themselves in self-abuse. The first verse describes their love for women and wanting more, hoping for understanding from their mothers as they continue to pursue their dreams. The second verse speaks to the anger and frustration that comes from paying dues for fifteen years and still not being fairly compensated or respected by the barkeeps, the people who employ them. The chorus comments on the drop-dead gorgeous ladies lined up to see the band, and how they continue to play their music regardless of other's opinions.
The lyrics continue with the second verse, where they finally start to get paid by the bars and women are throwing themselves at the band members, causing some tension with their significant others. The third verse expresses their appreciation for their unconventional lifestyle and how it has never seen a "light of day." Even with all of the hardships and lack of support, they will continue to strike up the band and give it their all.
Overall, "Strike Up The Band" is a celebration of the rock and roll lifestyle, complete with its ups and downs, the support of friends, and the love of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Living off the friends we made
We rely on our friendships to get by and make a living
Never ever getting paid
Despite our hard work, we are not compensated monetarily
Kicking ass and paying dues
We work hard and overcome challenges to succeed
Lose our mind in self abuse
We indulge in unhealthy behavior to cope with our struggles
Loving ladies by the score
We enjoy the company of many women
Waking up and wanting more
Our desires and cravings are insatiable
I hope my Mama understands
I hope my mother can accept and support my lifestyle
When I strike up the band
When we start playing music
Well I spit out my anger as the sweat do fly
I release my pent-up frustrations and intensity during performances
Fifteen years of paying dues just to get me by
It took years of hard work and perseverance to make a living in the music industry
Now the barkeeps would pay us by the crowds we bring
The venues pay us based on the size of our audience
But those son-of-bitches never paid us one damn thing
Despite their promises, we were not compensated fairly by the venues
And my poor Daddy, he just don't understand
My father cannot comprehend my chosen career path and lifestyle
It's balls out tonight, watch the shit hit the fan
We are playing our hardest and things are heating up
Now those drop dead ladies line the very first row
Attractive women are eager to see us perform
I do believe I'd like to spend some time after the show
I am open to the possibility of romantic encounters after performances
Now them years gone by, the barkeeps pay in cash
As we gain more success, we are paid more fairly by the venues
And them lovely ladies feed me an earful of trash
Women are telling us things that are not necessarily true or helpful
And my old lady, she just don't understand
My partner cannot comprehend my interactions with other women
Why those floozies got their hands on her man
Why other women are attracted to me
Give it all that we can, we don't give a good damn
We are playing our hearts out and don't care what others think
Living like a gypsy,
We live with a sense of unpredictability and adventure
an air conditioned hippie
We have some modern comforts despite our unconventional lifestyle
Who's never seen the light of day
We often spend long hours indoors and away from nature
Rode dog and cowboy
We have adopted a rugged, masculine persona
Don't know how, boy,
Sometimes, we are unsure how we have managed to survive our lifestyle
I ever lived this long this way, no, no, said
We have lived in this manner for some time and it's surprising that we have managed to last
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind