That was enthralling. What an amazing breakdown, presentation, explanation, and dedication to an amazing song. My friend had bought this album and I remember getting him to play it more than once each time.. Something about it, we were 11 or 12 so had no clue, but listening to how it is put together, with my now broader understanding of the basics of music.. The minor/major switches, the uneasiness until it hits the chorus, the sinister-ness, obvious in the subject, but also manifested by the chord choice.
Over the years I have come back to this song again and again just because it is so fund to play. When I first played the chords they made no sense to me, it just seemed like a bunch of random cords in one long string. And it was just so fun to play. The riff is also just fun to play it just feels right. It is among my favorit riff to play together with the "killing in the name of" verse riff. 🥰
Wow! Excellent presentation. My starting point here, - old guy like Alice Cooper, - he's long time favorite (I learned to drum from Killer and Billion Dollar Baby albums), started learning guitar more recently, i cut pasted some of the dozen major chords I knew, - so no skill or knowledge of song writing - just memories of tons of songs and knowledge of story structure, screenplay structure (like a few folks, I hear); This video of yours laid out the information like a great How-To manual but also broke down the Music Theory that has seemed like unknown Greek to me - until I saw your on-screen diagrams. - I realize that guitar chords are like fundamental chemical elements, as they are molecular building blocks of useful compounds of chemicals, but one needs to understand at least 3 aspects of each: - note label/pitch - like number of protons on molecule, their "weight" - variation of chord form - Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Sharp/Flat, Suspended - something like the number of electrons, neutrons; - Scales - I"m still trying to understand relative to Key(s) - don't know enough Chemistry to make the metaphor any more thorough - but discovered some scientists have recently developed code and perception relationships to fundamental particles/elements! I guess my brain takes "the long way round the barn, to park the car inside it." Seriously, great job, makes me think I could delve into music/song composition more. Thanks again! Computer code that converts each element into a unique piece of music could provide a novel way to expand chemistry communication www.chemistryworld.com/news/musical-periodic-table-being-built-by-turning-chemical-elements-spectra-into-notes/4017204.article?.com
So, what you said doesn't stick to rock music. It is also valid for all other kinds of music, for example electronic music. "Poison" is a great example: It doesn't have to be the biggest hit in music history to be a role model. I had the same experience when I heard the song for the first time. I was around 15 years old, grown up in the GDR without any chance to can buy such a record and with a bit experience in playing drums. This song immediately hit me straight between the eyes. This is an awesome song. And I always thought: Well, there is something about it that makes it an absolutely outstanding song, no matter what kind of music. You've explained it perfectly, thank you. And the reasons you gave also apply to other kinds of music. Since 1992 until 2005 and again since the Pandemic, I make myself electronic music. The problem with electronic music is that you have to work much harder to transport emotions. You run quickly into the trap that you have a nice intro, a nice verse, and a nice chorus, and then you copy-paste the whole thing and make it boring. And "nice" is the right word. Creating something outstanding is absolutely key in these times where you are overwhelmed with music. And then you have "Poison" and you know: Well, you have to be much better.
Great video! I have tried to learn this song before, but found it really hard to memorize, because there are so many changes and I had no idea what was really going on. Now, thanks to you, I can see a lot of vi-IV-I-V being repeated. I guess it's time to pick up a guitar and play it again!
Great video mate and well said. I sang it live one night and it went down very well so I thought I’d add it to my set. And sat down to learn it on guitar and within a few mins I was like ‘WTF is going on here?’ It’s definitely not your run of the mill standard stuff. You’ve just reminded me to get back to it actually
Poison is such a good song and the production is insanely good. The 80's noise intro, then the guitar riff and then the huge and sharp snare drum followed by a very slow and low volumen first half of a verse. That is just an insanely cool way to start a song. I would love it if more modern songs tried to do something like this. (I do love the drum and guitar sounds on this track thus I might be biased 😂) I also like how easy it is to sing along with the song, how the guitar start each verse very low in volumes (1. vers I think is only bass) and then half way through adds the arpeggio building up for the pre-chorus and then playing the riff over the chorus. The song gets a little busy in the end, with multiple guitars playing on top of each other. But honestly if I was to ever wright a song as well as poison I would be very proud and happy with myself. I honestly think it is a masterpiece.
Good 👍 analysis. Credits. Produced by Desmond Child. Written by him, Alice Cooper and John McCurry. High McDonald of Bon Jovi on bass guitar 🎸.McCurry on lead and rhythm guitar 🎸. Desmond Child co-wrote hit songs with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, both from Bon Jovi, in 1986 and with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, both in Aerosmith, in 1987.
I prefer Dick Wagners songs with Cooper , that guy was an animal of a song writer . Peter Gabriel , Lou Reed , Kiss , Aerosmith , AirSupply , the guy was a killer tune master .
Thanks for deconstructing this one. Technically and sonically, it's a great song, though I always felt the lyrics fell a bit short and an ending just wan't there. I'd love to get your take of the Great White song "Rock Me" from 1987. That's another one of the few songs that I MUST listen to if I happen to stumble across it on the airwaves.
I had this single as a teen. Really cool to hear this again. Basic question: How do you determine what key the song is in? I never know what it is with chord loops. by the vocal melody?
You're obviously a big fan of this song which is super-cool and I love your enthusiasm, but to me this song just never takes off. It musically frustrated me when it first came out and still does. The chorus is strong for sure, but I think it's too clever for its own good, but that's only my opinion. I saw Alice Cooper in Melbourne, Australia, when he was touring this album. He opened with a mini-set with no make-up and a leather jacket, just fronting his band. They did songs from whatever album this was from and ended with 'Poison'. Then a whole lot of lightshow things happened and the curtains opened and the huge Alice Cooper show happened with the snakes, the hanging, the dancers and the whole box and dice. Pure rock n' roll theatre. Such a dynamic class act.
![ILLSLICK - THE KING'S LANDING [Freestyle]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/feIJJnNkTfk/mqdefault.jpg)
That was enthralling. What an amazing breakdown, presentation, explanation, and dedication to an amazing song.
My friend had bought this album and I remember getting him to play it more than once each time..
Something about it, we were 11 or 12 so had no clue, but listening to how it is put together, with my now broader understanding of the basics of music..
The minor/major switches, the uneasiness until it hits the chorus, the sinister-ness, obvious in the subject, but also manifested by the chord choice.
Thank you for deconstructing the song. Good job mate!
Over the years I have come back to this song again and again just because it is so fund to play.
When I first played the chords they made no sense to me, it just seemed like a bunch of random cords in one long string. And it was just so fun to play.
The riff is also just fun to play it just feels right. It is among my favorit riff to play together with the "killing in the name of" verse riff. 🥰
it is indeed an example of great songwriting, thank you for the amazing explanation.
Everyone should look at the resume of Desmond Child.
One of the best of the song doctors, for sure!
Wow! Excellent presentation.
My starting point here,
- old guy like Alice Cooper,
- he's long time favorite (I learned to drum from Killer and Billion Dollar Baby albums), started learning guitar more recently,
i cut pasted some of the dozen major chords I knew,
- so no skill or knowledge of song writing - just memories of tons of songs and knowledge of story structure, screenplay structure (like a few folks, I hear);
This video of yours laid out the information like a great How-To manual but also broke down the Music Theory that has seemed like unknown Greek to me - until I saw your on-screen diagrams.
- I realize that guitar chords are like fundamental chemical elements, as they are molecular building blocks of useful compounds of chemicals, but one needs to understand at least 3 aspects of each:
- note label/pitch - like number of protons on molecule, their "weight"
- variation of chord form - Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Sharp/Flat, Suspended - something like the number of electrons, neutrons;
- Scales - I"m still trying to understand relative to Key(s) - don't know enough Chemistry to make the metaphor any more thorough - but discovered some scientists have recently developed code and perception relationships to fundamental particles/elements! I guess my brain takes "the long way round the barn, to park the car inside it."
Seriously, great job, makes me think I could delve into music/song composition more. Thanks again!
Computer code that converts each element into a unique piece of music could provide a novel way to expand chemistry communication
www.chemistryworld.com/news/musical-periodic-table-being-built-by-turning-chemical-elements-spectra-into-notes/4017204.article?.com
So, what you said doesn't stick to rock music. It is also valid for all other kinds of music, for example electronic music.
"Poison" is a great example: It doesn't have to be the biggest hit in music history to be a role model. I had the same experience when I heard the song for the first time. I was around 15 years old, grown up in the GDR without any chance to can buy such a record and with a bit experience in playing drums. This song immediately hit me straight between the eyes. This is an awesome song.
And I always thought: Well, there is something about it that makes it an absolutely outstanding song, no matter what kind of music. You've explained it perfectly, thank you.
And the reasons you gave also apply to other kinds of music. Since 1992 until 2005 and again since the Pandemic, I make myself electronic music. The problem with electronic music is that you have to work much harder to transport emotions. You run quickly into the trap that you have a nice intro, a nice verse, and a nice chorus, and then you copy-paste the whole thing and make it boring. And "nice" is the right word. Creating something outstanding is absolutely key in these times where you are overwhelmed with music. And then you have "Poison" and you know: Well, you have to be much better.
Awesome explanation…i was interested in the progressions and how they related.. thx!
I have been covering that song for a while now, and I clicked curious if I was going to learn anything. I definitely did! Thanks for a great video!
Another great analysis with points that I will try in my new songs. Thanks for sharing.
David White. Leeds in the north of England.
Thanks for covering this under rated classic
Great video!
I have tried to learn this song before, but found it really hard to memorize, because there are so many changes and I had no idea what was really going on. Now, thanks to you, I can see a lot of vi-IV-I-V being repeated. I guess it's time to pick up a guitar and play it again!
same
super helpful explanation for the song structure. And love the Tele with Strat like pickup placement.
The bassline in Poison adds so much to what makes the song great as well. I was sorry you didn't bring it up.
Yes. This 100%
Thank you. A great description of why this is such a great song.
Great video mate and well said. I sang it live one night and it went down very well so I thought I’d add it to my set. And sat down to learn it on guitar and within a few mins I was like ‘WTF is going on here?’ It’s definitely not your run of the mill standard stuff. You’ve just reminded me to get back to it actually
Great song! Great analysis! Thanks! Subbed!
Alice Cooper is alright I guess, but that ASAT! I’ve never seen them with a Nashville pickup configuration. Very nice indeed!
New here, but great analysis, and good to see someone else playing G&L! :)
Gold material!
Poison is such a good song and the production is insanely good.
The 80's noise intro, then the guitar riff and then the huge and sharp snare drum followed by a very slow and low volumen first half of a verse. That is just an insanely cool way to start a song. I would love it if more modern songs tried to do something like this. (I do love the drum and guitar sounds on this track thus I might be biased 😂)
I also like how easy it is to sing along with the song, how the guitar start each verse very low in volumes (1. vers I think is only bass) and then half way through adds the arpeggio building up for the pre-chorus and then playing the riff over the chorus. The song gets a little busy in the end, with multiple guitars playing on top of each other. But honestly if I was to ever wright a song as well as poison I would be very proud and happy with myself. I honestly think it is a masterpiece.
Good 👍 analysis.
Credits. Produced by Desmond Child. Written by him, Alice Cooper and John McCurry. High McDonald of Bon Jovi on bass guitar 🎸.McCurry on lead and rhythm guitar 🎸.
Desmond Child co-wrote hit songs with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, both from Bon Jovi, in 1986 and with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, both in Aerosmith, in 1987.
The intro riff is practically identical to Encircled by John Wait (1987).
Ok, please do "Let Your Hair Hang Down" by Catapult 😊
I prefer Dick Wagners songs with Cooper , that guy was an animal of a song writer . Peter Gabriel , Lou Reed , Kiss , Aerosmith , AirSupply , the guy was a killer tune master .
Awesome discussion and dissection of the song. Keep content like this coming!! Your friend Bill
Thanks for deconstructing this one. Technically and sonically, it's a great song, though I always felt the lyrics fell a bit short and an ending just wan't there. I'd love to get your take of the Great White song "Rock Me" from 1987. That's another one of the few songs that I MUST listen to if I happen to stumble across it on the airwaves.
Thank you
Great analysis
I had this single as a teen. Really cool to hear this again.
Basic question: How do you determine what key the song is in? I never know what it is with chord loops. by the vocal melody?
Interesting that the boring 6-4-1-5 can be so vibrant when not in a loop.
You're obviously a big fan of this song which is super-cool and I love your enthusiasm, but to me this song just never takes off. It musically frustrated me when it first came out and still does. The chorus is strong for sure, but I think it's too clever for its own good, but that's only my opinion.
I saw Alice Cooper in Melbourne, Australia, when he was touring this album. He opened with a mini-set with no make-up and a leather jacket, just fronting his band. They did songs from whatever album this was from and ended with 'Poison'. Then a whole lot of lightshow things happened and the curtains opened and the huge Alice Cooper show happened with the snakes, the hanging, the dancers and the whole box and dice. Pure rock n' roll theatre. Such a dynamic class act.
Never really liked that song.
Let's see what you guys have to say.
Tune your guitar ,
😂
It's a good song, just not for Alice. Tiffany would have been perfect.