The Most Mileage From One Song?

Do you think Poison has gotten more mileage out of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" than any other band or song in history? The track was their biggest hit and they still milk it, which is fine. Money is money so good for them.

I was trying to think of comparable examples but it's hard. Bands like Def Leppard and Aerosmith had way more "big" hits than Poison, so you can't pin just one song on them exactly. The same is true of Motley Crue and of course Guns n' Roses. Poison was (is) in that special camp of Glam bands that were almost right toward the top of the pack... but maybe just one notch below. They were definitely bigger than Cinderella and nowhere near as huge as Bon Jovi.

So here we are, 30ish years later, pumping shirts with the lyrics to "Rose." The amazing thing is that most people on the street would probably immediately get the reference! That's success in my book and something few artists of today can expect 30 years from now.

Just like every night has its dawn... shop: https://t.co/nQmVF0ViqB pic.twitter.com/YL0flWLoed

— Poison (@Poison) February 16, 2018

Comments

[Jeff]

I would put Bob Segar's "Like a Rock" right up there with it. Put them both down as songs I never need to hear again in my lifetime.

[Metalboy!]

Man, that’s a tough one since no one has milked anything quite the way Brett Michaels has.

However, in terms of one song being key to a band’s longevity, even without the original singer, Journey owes it all to “Don’t Stop Believin’”.

They haven’t had to milk it. It’s a song many love, regardless of age and era, from my 3 year old niece to her 70 year old grandmother!

Oddly, unlike “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” and “Like A Rock” (Good example, Jeff), I can still listen to “Don’t Stop Believin’”, despite the kind of overexposure it shares with those two songs.

This may have something to do with it having a stronger positive message lyrically and it’s overall more ambitious musicality, as well as the real feeling that comes through in the vocals.

I’m no Journey fan but that song is incredible, IMHO!

[Steverox]

Metalboy 100% agreed. That is a great example.

[Him]

I would add "More Than A Feeling" by Boston.

Say what you will about the band, that song is one piece of ear candy that won't quit. And that is after 40-plus years, approx. 5 years longer (I think?!?!) than the rightfully noted "DSB." Granted, Boston is nowhere near as popular as Journey is today (and arguably less popular than a band like Poison currently). But that song sustains Boston in a way few other songs have sustained a band.

I'd be curious if others have songs to add to the list started by Allyson and continued by Jeff, Metalboy!, and yours truly.

[Kenny Ozz]

Bret Michaels needs to go away for like 10 years and come back fresh. Thats how much he;s drug this crap into the ground.

[Dale]

kiss - Detroit rock city. That has a good amount of mileage also!!!

[Metalboy!]

Agreed, HIM! Boston’s “More Than A Feeling” has had a great deal of exposure, but, like my example, is one that will never wear out it’s welcome with me.

I did however, think of a song that has been played to death (though maybe not on the level of the other examples) I could totally live without ever hearing again, putting it firmly in the pile Allyson and Jeff have created, if you ask me. See if you can guess it based on the following ...

“And if you are-uh ready-uh, I am-uh able-uh ... “

[Gary]

Stairway To Heaven w/o a doubt. With "You Shook Me All Night Long","Dream On" and "Sweet Child of Mine" hot on its heels.

[Dj]

As far as a song so big the band can milk it for years is either Every Rose Has Its Thorn or The Final Countdown.

[Metalboy!]

DJ! You nailed it! ... “The Final Countdown” fits the “Played to Death” / “Song with which a band is most closely identified” Axiom perfectly.

[fletch]

Right Now -Van Halen

[Him]

Crystal Grave, Fletch! Crystal Gravy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0sjRG34DlA