Look What the Cat Dragged In
1986 studio album by Poison
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Look What the Cat Dragged In is the debut studio album by American glam metal band Poison, released on May 23, 1986, by Enigma Records and Capitol Records.[4] Though not a success at first, it steadily built momentum and peaked at #3 on the US Billboard 200 on May 23, 1987. The album spawned three successful singles: "Talk Dirty to Me", "I Want Action", and "I Won't Forget You".
| Look What the Cat Dragged In | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 23, 1986 | |||
| Recorded | 1986 | |||
| Studio | Music Grinder Studios, Hollywood | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 33:24 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Ric Browde | |||
| Poison chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Look What the Cat Dragged In | ||||
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Look What the Cat Dragged In was certified Gold in 1987 and 3× Platinum in 1990 by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4] It has also been certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI),[5] and platinum in Canada.[6]
Production and marketing
The record was described by vocalist Bret Michaels as a "glorified demo". It was recorded in twelve days at Los Angeles' Music Grinder Studios with producer Ric Browde, for a cost of US$23,000, part of which was funded from the pockets of the band members and their families.
Background
It originally included only one single, "Cry Tough"; however, Look What the Cat Dragged In became a surprise success and subsequently spawned three more charting hits: "Talk Dirty to Me", "I Want Action", and "I Won't Forget You",[7] The record became the biggest-selling-album in Enigma's history. With heavy rotation on MTV, their debut earned the band tours with fellow glam rockers Ratt, Cinderella, and Quiet Riot, as well as a coveted slot in the Texxas Jam in Dallas. The album ultimately sold 4 million copies worldwide.
Reissues
In 2006, a 20th Anniversary edition was released by Capitol; 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 tracks are written by Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cry Tough" | 3:36 |
| 2. | "I Want Action" | 3:05 |
| 3. | "I Won't Forget You" | 3:35 |
| 4. | "Play Dirty" | 4:08 |
| 5. | "Look What the Cat Dragged In" | 3:10 |
| 6. | "Talk Dirty to Me" | 3:44 |
| 7. | "Want Some, Need Some" | 3:39 |
| 8. | "Blame It on You" | 2:32 |
| 9. | "#1 Bad Boy" | 3:14 |
| 10. | "Let Me Go to the Show" | 2:45 |
| Total length: | 33:28 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 11. | "I Want Action" (single version) | 3:06 |
| 12. | "I Won't Forget You" (single version) | 3:39 |
| 13. | "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" (demo; Jim Croce cover) | 3:05 |
| Total length: | 43:32 | |
Personnel
- Bret Michaels – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- C.C. DeVille – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Bobby Dall – bass, backing vocals
- Rikki Rockett – drums, backing vocals
Additional personnel
- Ric Browde – arrangement, production
- Jim Faraci – engineering, production
- Michael Wagener – mixing
- Evren Göknar – 2006 remastering
Charts
| Chart (1986–1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[9] | 51 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[10] | 14 |
| US Billboard 200[11] | 3 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[12] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[13] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[14] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Accolades
| Publication | Year | Country | Accolade | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolver Magazine | 2014 | US | 6 Glam-Metal Albums You Need To Own[15] | N/A |
| PopMatters | 2021 | US | 10 Essential Glam Metal Albums[16] | N/A |
| Rolling Stone | 2019 | US | 50 Greatest Hair Metal Albums of All Time[17] | 2 |
| L.A. Weekly | 2011 | US | Chuck Klosterman's Favorite Hair Metal Albums[18] | 7 |
| Louder Sound | 2021 | US | The 10 best glam metal albums[19] | N/A |
| L.A. Weekly | 2011 | US | Top 20 Hair Metal Albums of All Time[20] | 6 |
| Guitar World | 2008 | US | Top 20 Hair Metal Albums of the Eighties[21] | N/A |
| Ultimate Classic Rock | 2021 | US | Top 30 Glam Metal Albums[22] | 16 |
| Loudwire | 2016 | US | Top 30 Hair Metal Albums[23] | 10 |
| Metal Rules | 2003 | US | Top 50 Glam Metal Albums[24] | 4 |
| Loudwire | 2016 | US | Top 80 Hard Rock + Metal Albums of the 1980s[25] | 80 |