The term “hair metal” is often resisted by bands who feel it diminishes their artistic contributions to mere hairstyles from decades past. Many prefer labels like “glam metal,” “hard rock,” or simply “metal.” Despite this, media and fans frequently categorize bands like Poison, Cinderella, and Mötley Crüe under the “hair metal” umbrella, much to their dismay. The classification becomes more nuanced with bands like Def Leppard and Guns N’ Roses. While they sported big hair in the 1980s, their musical influences were broader, and their lyrics didn’t glorify a hedonistic lifestyle to the extent seen with Poison and Mötley Crüe.
To explore this genre, our readers voted on their favorite hair metal songs, each interpreting the category in their own way. Here are the results:
10. **Poison – ‘Nothing But a Good Time’**
This track encapsulates the carefree ethos of hair metal, focusing on fun, women, and good times. The song, from their 1988 album “Open Up and Say… Ahh!,” peaked at Number Six on the Billboard Hot 100.
9. **Cinderella – ‘Nobody’s Fool’**
Despite not achieving the same fame as some peers, Cinderella was beloved for their authentic rock sound. Their power ballad “Nobody’s Fool” reached Number 13 on the charts, and they continue to tour with their classic lineup.
8. **Guns N’ Roses – ‘Welcome to the Jungle’**
Though often debated, early Guns N’ Roses shared elements with hair metal bands. “Welcome to the Jungle” highlights the gritty consequences of a hedonistic lifestyle and remains a classic anthem.
7. **Mötley Crüe – ‘Kickstart My Heart’**
Born from a near-death experience of bassist Nikki Sixx, this song became one of Mötley Crüe’s greatest hits, reaching Number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.
6. **Poison – ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorn’**
A ballad born from heartache, it topped the Hot 100 for three weeks and remains Poison’s most iconic song.
5. **Mötley Crüe – ‘Dr. Feelgood’**
Known for its catchy intro, the title track from their 1989 album became a signature song, highlighting tales of excess and recovery.
4. **Mötley Crüe – ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’**
This straightforward anthem about the band’s love for women and strip clubs reached Number 12 on the Hot 100.
3. **Def Leppard – ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’**
Despite their British origins and earlier influences, this track from Def Leppard became a defining hair metal hit, known for its energetic and suggestive lyrics.
2. **Ratt – ‘Round and Round’**
A staple of the hair metal scene, this song from Ratt’s debut album gained heavy MTV rotation and remains a live favorite.
1. **Mötley Crüe – ‘Home Sweet Home’**
Often credited with pioneering the hair-metal power ballad, this song remains a classic, covered by various artists and embodying the emotional depth behind the genre’s flamboyant exterior.
These selections reflect the diverse interpretations and enduring appeal of hair metal, even as the genre’s definition evolves over time.