If you're looking for photographic evidence that the ’80s had absolutely no restrictions on hair volume, Poison would be a good place to start.

But underneath the hairspray, eyeliner and enough scarves to stock a small boutique was a band that knew exactly how to write a rock anthem.

In this classic Stuck in the ’80s interview, we talk with Poison frontman Bret Michaels about the band's rise from the clubs of the Sunset Strip to arenas across America and the songs that made Poison one of the defining rock bands of the late ’80s.

Poison's debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, arrived in 1986 and initially didn't make much noise.

Then MTV got involved.

Videos for “Talk Dirty to Me,” “I Want Action” and “I Won't Forget You” helped turn Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett into stars.

By 1988, Poison was ready to get even bigger.

Open Up and Say... Ahh! produced the ultimate party anthem “Nothin' but a Good Time,” along with “Fallen Angel” and a song that showed a very different side of the band.

Michaels wrote “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” after a painful late-night phone call with his girlfriend while Poison was on tour.

The acoustic ballad was a dramatic departure from the band's usual party-rock sound.

It also became Poison's biggest hit.

“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and joined the growing collection of power ballads that proved even the toughest-looking ’80s rockers occasionally needed to sit down with an acoustic guitar and discuss their feelings.

Preferably while surrounded by candles.

In our Bret Michaels interview, the Poison singer looks back on the band's music, its rapid rise and the wild period when hair metal dominated MTV and arenas across America.

Poison's image was unapologetically excessive, but the songs have endured. Put on “Nothin' but a Good Time” at an ’80s party and nobody stops to debate its artistic merits.

They turn it up.

That's probably the best explanation of Poison's appeal.

The band promised a good time.

And for millions of fans, Bret Michaels and Poison delivered exactly that.

Want your own “Nothin' but a Good Time” experience? Join Stuck in the ’80s aboard The ’80s Cruise for live music, trivia, podcasts and plenty of other ’80s fun at sea.

Use promo code STUCK when booking to receive $250 in onboard credit.

Every cruise has its thorn.

Actually, we have no idea what that means.

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The first mystery podcast topic. One of 50 to come!

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Back-to-school time as we salute the great high schools of the '80s

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Our Vegas 2010 wrapup show, featuring a special guest caller

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Our first remote live from Las Vegas from Lost '80s Weekend

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The horrible hits of 1989, including tunes by Cher and Milli Vanilli

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Interview with Cyndi Lauper and our top five fave Lauper tunes from the '80s

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Celebrating Live Aid's 25th anniversary with Spearsy, Sean and Tom Jones. 

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Weird Al Yankovic joins the show; Steve and Sean do their top 5 Weird Al songs; More reasons to come to Vegas!

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Captain EO returns to Epcot Center and Sean and Steve are there to celebrate

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