Poison (Bell Biv DeVoe song)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"Poison"
Single by Bell Biv DeVoe
from the album Poison
ReleasedMarch 6, 1990 (1990-03-06)[1]
Genre
Length4:21
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)Dr. Freeze
Producer(s)Dr. Freeze
Bell Biv DeVoe singles chronology
"Poison"
(1990)
"Do Me!"
(1990)

"Poison" is the debut single of American vocal group Bell Biv DeVoe, released as the first single from their debut album of the same name. The song, in the style of new jack swing, a late-1980s/early-1990s hybrid of R&B, hip hop and swing, was the group's most successful.

Background and information

The song was written and produced by

Mongo Santamaria as influences on the song's sound and production.[5]

Chart performance

On the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, "Poison" rose from number fifty-two to number thirty-eight in 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 Hot Black Singles chart for two weeks.[6] "Poison" became one of the most successful singles of 1990 (see 1990 in music), and was a staple on MTV and mainstream radio in the summer, spending ten weeks in the Top 10. The single peaked at number seven on the dance charts.[7] "Poison" was certified platinum by the 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.[8] The predominant color is purple. It takes place at a club, an old basketball court and a schoolyard.

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[1] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States March 6, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
MCA [1]
United Kingdom May 21, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
[22]
Japan June 10, 1990 Mini-CD [23]
United Kingdom June 11, 1990 CD [24]
June 18, 1990 Cassette [25]
July 2, 1990 12-inch remix vinyl [26]

See also

  • List of number-one R&B singles of 1990 (U.S.)

References

  1. ^ a b c "American single certifications – Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison". Recording Industry Association of America.
  2. Complex
    . Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Poison - Bell Biv DeVoe | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  4. ^ Molanphy, Chris (September 29, 2017). "The Great War Against the Single Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Key Tracks: Bell Biv DeVoe's Poison".
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 52.
  7. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 32.
  8. ^ ""Poison (Remix)" by Bell Biv Devoe | Music Video | VH1.com". VH1. Viacom International. October 15, 2007. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  9. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  10. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1276." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  11. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 33. August 18, 1990. p. V. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  12. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  13. ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  14. ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison". Top 40 Singles.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  16. ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  17. ^ "Bell Biv DeVoe Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  18. ^ "Crossover Radio Airplay: Top 40/Dance". Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 26. June 30, 1990. p. 89.
  19. ^ "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  20. ^ "1990 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. YE-14.
  21. ^ "British single certifications – Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  22. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. May 19, 1990. p. 37.
  23. ^ "ポイズン | ベル・ビブ・デボー" [Poison | Bell Biv DeVoe] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  24. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. June 9, 1990. p. 33.
  25. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. June 16, 1990. p. 31.
  26. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. June 30, 1990. p. 29.

External links