Poison (Bell Biv DeVoe song)

Background and information

The song was written and produced by Elliot Straite (Dr. Freeze). Straite had originally planned to feature the song on his own album, but plans changed when the members of Bell Biv DeVoe heard his demo version. "When the guys heard it, they went nuts. I didn't think that record was going to be that big because it was a personal love letter to my ex-girlfriend at the time. It wasn't a song at first. It was a letter. When I wrote it as a song, I let a lot of my friends hear it, and they said it was weird. After that, I put the music together. I was thinking I wasn't going to be on the album because such heavyweights were already on it. I ended up having two songs on the album: 'Poison' and 'She's Dope!'." Straite cited German electronic group Kraftwerk and Latin musicians Tito Puente and Mongo Santamaria as influences on the song's sound and production.

Chart performance

On the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, "Poison" rose from number 52 to number 38 on the week of April 14, 1990, and eventually peaked at number three for four consecutive weeks, beginning on June 9, 1990. The single also peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart for two weeks. "Poison" became one of the most successful singles of 1990 and was a staple on MTV and mainstream radio in the middle of the year. The single peaked at number seven on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. "Poison" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 1, 1990, for sales of over one million copies.

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by Lionel C. Martin.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

References

1. Josephs, Brian. (July 20, 2012). "The 25 Best New Jack Swing Songs".
2. "Poison - Bell Biv DeVoe | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic".
3. Molanphy, Chris. (September 29, 2017). "The Great War Against the Single Edition". [[Slate (magazine).
4. "Key Tracks: Bell Biv DeVoe's Poison".
5. Whitburn, Joel. (2004). "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004". Record Research.
6. Whitburn, Joel. (2004). "Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003". Record Research.
7. (October 15, 2007). ""Poison (Remix)" by Bell Biv Devoe {{!}} Music Video {{!}} VH1.com". Viacom International.
8. Ryan, Gavin. (2011). "Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010". Moonlight Publishing.
9. (August 18, 1990). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
10. "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)".
11. "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History (Dance Club Songs)".
12. "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)".
13. (June 30, 1990). "Crossover Radio Airplay: Top 40/Dance".
14. [https://www.popmusichistory.co.uk/_files/ugd/b4848d_4f9128176360450ba51be67a0468e9fa.pdf Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996]
15. "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ.
16. (December 22, 1990). "The Year in Music 1990: Top Pop Singles".
17. (December 22, 1990). "The Year in Music 1990: Top Dance Sales 12-inch Singles".
18. (December 22, 1990). "The Year in Music 1990: Top R&B Singles".
19. (December 29, 1990). "Awards: Top 50 Pop Singles".
20. (May 19, 1990). "New Singles".
21. "ポイズン {{!}} ベル・ビブ・デボー". [[Oricon]].
22. (June 9, 1990). "New Singles".
23. (June 16, 1990). "New Singles".
24. (June 30, 1990). "New Singles".
25. (July 1, 1990). "New Release Summary: Singles".
26. (November 4, 1990). "New Release Summary: Singles".