ROCK MOMENT – Poison ‘Unskinny Bop’
‘Unskinny Bop is a hard-rock anthem by American glam metal band Poison, released in June 1990 as the lead single from their third studio album, Flesh & Blood. The song became one of the band’s biggest commercial hits, helping to define the late-‘80s/early-‘90s rock sound and solidifying Poison’s place at the forefront of the glam metal movement that dominated MTV and rock radio in that era.
Musically, ‘Unskinny Bop’ is built around a catchy, blues-inflected guitar riff and a driving, upbeat rhythm that made it instantly memorable. Guitarist C.C. DeVille’s energetic playing meshes with Bobby Dall’s bass and Rikki Rockett’s dynamic drumming to create a track that balances raw rock energy with pop-friendly hooks. Lead singer Bret Michaels delivers the lyrics with swagger and attitude, capturing the party-ready spirit that defined much of Poison’s work.
Interestingly, the phrase “unskinny bop” doesn’t have a literal meaning. According to the band, it began as a nonsensical placeholder during the songwriting process that just happened to fit the rhythm and vibe of the music. Rather than overthink it, Poison kept the phrase, and it became a distinctive and memorable part of the song’s identity.
On the charts, ‘Unskinny Bop’ was a major success. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and received heavy rotation on MTV, where its colorful, performance-driven music video helped boost the band’s visibility. The song was certified Gold and became a staple of rock radio playlists, contributing to Flesh & Blood’s overall commercial success.
The track exemplifies the flamboyant, larger-than-life style of glam metal at its peak — combining catchy melodies, flashy guitars, and an infectious attitude. Although musical trends shifted in the early ’90s with the rise of grunge and alternative rock, ‘Unskinny Bop’ remains a beloved classic among fans of the genre. Its enduring popularity is evident in its continued presence on classic rock stations, inclusion in compilation albums, and use in films, TV shows, and video games that evoke the era’s high-energy rock culture
