While out at a new Record Store I found called Mad Jack’s, I picked up this sweet single from Poison’ album ‘Open Up and Say…Ahh!’. This is their first single off the album and it was called “Nothin’ But a Good Time”. It was released on April 6, 1988 and the song went all the way to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and it was all over MTV. My version of the single is the standard U.S. version with “Look But You Can’t Touch” as the B-Side. It was in pristine condition considering it is over 30 years old. The B-Side for the single is also off the ‘Open Up and Say…Ahh!’ album and is called “Look But You Can’t Touch”.

The song was written back in their early days when they were living in a warehouse and they had no money. They would talk women in to buying them food and doing all sorts of things for them. I have also read it was about not needing to be depressed working a 9 to 5 job and just live in the moment and live it up. It is a very hedonistic lifestyle and that comes across in the song. They were rock stars living the dream, what more could you want.

A-SIDE:

The song was born from a riff that CC Deville had mixed a chorus that Bret Michels had. I guess you could say it was peanut butter and chocolate. Apart they good, but together they are awesome. I’m sorry..not sorry!! Let’s talk about that riff. Man, on the first note you hear it is instantly recognizable and very memorable. Throw in the bass of Bobby Dall and those snare punches of Rikki Rockett and you have the makings of an anthemic, catchy as hell arena rock song. Bret sings it with such a cocky attitude and yet a casual delivery and he sounds like he is having a good time doing just partying. It is a cheesy ass song that is a total blast and definitely got the crowd on their feet when they would play it live. It is classic 80’s glam and what more could you want…nothing!!

B-SIDE:

The B-Side is “Look But You Can’t Touch” and it is another solid rocker. It has another great CC riff, but this one is dirtier and a little nastier. The song is heavy and has a darker tone, but the lyrics are pure and utter trash. Hell, Poison wasn’t writing Shakespeare, heck they weren’t even writing Dr. Suess. The song is about trying to get a piece of ass but the woman is having none of it. Either commit to her or you ain’t getting any. Look but you can’t touch unless you are planning on buying with a wedding ring.

And there you have it. Another single in the collection. We will see you real soon with another one from the collection. I might need to get more as I’ll be running out eventually. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.