What makes Something To Believe In by Poison notable?

The title track gained significant radio airplay, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, which solidified Poison's status in the rock scene during the early '90s. The album also highlighted a shift in lyrical focus for the band, moving towards introspection and emotional depth, which resonated with audiences amid changing musical landscapes. Released on September 4, 1990, Something To Believe In marked Poison's transition into a more mature sound following their earlier commercial success. By this time, they had already achieved fame with hits like 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' from their previous albums, and this record showcased their ability to tackle deeper themes while maintaining their glam metal roots.

How many songs are on Something To Believe In?

Something To Believe In has 3 tracks, running approximately 19 minutes.

Something To Believe In

Poison · 1990

19 min · 3 tracks · hard rock

Anthemic choruses and heartfelt lyrics blend with glam metal bravado, creating a powerful exploration of longing and belief.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Something to Believe In — This track is pivotal for its poignant lyrics that delve into themes of loss and hope, contrasting the band's typical party anthems. Its heartfelt delivery showcases Bret Michaels' growth as a songwriter.
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Ball and Chain — Featuring a heavier sound and raw emotion, this song reflects on struggles with addiction and personal demons, marking a departure from the band's more glamorous image.
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Interview With Bret Michaels — This spoken-word piece provides insight into Bret Michaels' perspective on life and career, offering fans an intimate look at the man behind the music and his thoughts during this period.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong songwriting but is hindered by the inclusion of an interview track, affecting cohesion.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent anthemic chorus that repeats multiple times, emphasizing its emotional weight.
The second track, 'Ball and Chain', shifts to a slower tempo with a more introspective lyrical approach, contrasting with the opener.
The inclusion of an interview track at the end provides context but disrupts the musical flow of the single.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single solidified Poison's status in the rock scene during the early '90s.
Themes: loss and hope· personal demons· glam metal introspection
Career context: Released on September 4, 1990, Something To Believe In marked Poison's transition into a more mature sound following their earlier commercial success. By this time, they had already achieved fame with hits like 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' from their previous albums, and this record showcased their ability to tackle deeper themes while maintaining their glam metal roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Mötley Crüe· Def Leppard· Cinderella