Look What the Cat Dragged In

For the song by Giggs, see Look What the Cat Dragged In (song).

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
This table needs to be expanded using prose. See the guideline for more information.

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 Billboard 200 on 23 May 1987^[2] . 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".^[3] The album is a prime example of the glam metal genre both musically and image-wise. The album ultimately has sold 4 million copies worldwide,^[4] one of their best-selling albums.

The album was certified Gold in 1987 and 3x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA in 1990.^[5] The album has been certified by BPI silver and by CAN platinum.

Musical style

Described by Revolver Magazine as "oversexed, under-thought, and relentlessly fun",^[6] 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 characterized 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 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", "Talk Dirty to Me", "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 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.

Reissues

In 2005, Madacy Entertainment reissued the album, with a new cover but identical contents, under the title Rock Breakout Years: 1987.^[7] The following year, a 20th Anniversary edition was released by Capitol, with the original title. This version added single versions of two of the album's tracks and a cover of Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" as bonus tracks.^[8]

Track listing

All songs written by Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett

1. "Cry Tough" - 3:35
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 - 5 August 1986 - Enigma 5656 (#97 UK Singles chart)
• Talk Dirty To Me / Want Some Need Some - 18 February 1987 - Enigma 5686 (#9 Billboard Hot 100)
• I Want Action / #1 Bad Boy - 20 May 1987 - Enigma 44004 (#50 Billboard Hot 100)
• I Won't Forget You / Blame It On You - 5 August 1987 - Enigma 44038 (#13 Billboard Hot 100)

Band members

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

References

1. ^ Huey, Steve. "Poison Look What the Cat Dragged Inreview". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/look-what-the-cat-dragged-in-r15491/review. Retrieved 2011-08-02. 
2. ^ "Allmusic (Poison charts and awards) Billboard albums". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5162/charts-awards. 
3. ^ "Allmusic (Poison charts and awards) Billboard singles". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5162/charts-awards/billboard-singles. 
4. ^ "Moondance Jam/Poison". http://www.moondancejam.com/bands/2008/poison.html=. 
5. ^ "RIAA Gold & Platinum". http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Poison&format=ALBUM&go=Search&perPage=50. Retrieved 2010.
6. ^ Revolver Magazine, April 2005, at 75.
7. ^ Pacal, Marcus (5 November 2005). "Review: "Rock Breakout Years: 1987" by Poison". 
8. ^ Luce, Patrick (25 July 2006). "Rockers Poison celebrate 20th anniversary with expanded releases of albums". Monsters and Critics. http://www.monstersandcritics.com/music/news/article_1183855.php/Rockers_Poison_celebrate_20th_anniversary_with_expanded_releases_of_albums. Retrieved 29 November 2009. 

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