Some of the most unforgettable rock tracks in history were forged in moments of overwhelming personal grief, resulting a performance almost too raw for the screen.
Back in 1990, Poison frontman Bret Michaels set out to channel the sudden loss of his best friend into a soaring power ballad, pouring every ounce of his heartbreak into the lyrics. But when the time came to film the official music video for “Something to Believe In,” an unexpected moment brought the reality of his loss crashing back, causing the singer to completely break down on set.
According to American Songwriter, Michaels wrote the song about the death of his friend and security guard, James Kimo Maano. He explained, “‘Something To Believe In’ I wrote that late at night after a friend of mine passed away a couple of Christmases ago. I was at my mom’s house for Christmas when we got the call and it was late at night. That really affected me.”
More than just a typical decade-defining rock track, “Something to Believe In” confronted some of the era’s rawest realities. Off Poisons’s third studio album, Flesh & Blood, the poignant ballad wove together themes of religion, veterans (Michaels’ cousin Bob served in Vietnam), and poverty, all anchored by the deeply personal grief of losing a best friend.
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The track’s music video marked a surprisingly stark turning point in a hair metal era dominated by videos of good times, girls, and backstage chaos. Against the backdrop of a glowing black-and-white television, Michaels delivered an unusually subdued performance. But when photos of his late friend Kimo unexpectedly flashed across the screen, his composure vanished, and his vocal delivery faltered as he visibly fought back tears.
As posted by Songfacts, Michaels told Rolling Stone in 2010, “All the songs I write have a bazillion verses. ‘Something to Believe In’ is one of the only songs to get played on radio that’s over six minutes long. There’s an acoustic version somewhere that’s 28 minutes long.”
“Something to Believe In” hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the band’s last top-10 single on that chart.
In an era remembered for flash and spectacle, Bret Michaels’ unscripted moment of sorrow offered a rare, human connection. By opening up his own heartache to the world, Michaels permitted listeners to feel their own. It’s why the song still strikes such a deep chord today, and highlights a brave choice that turned a painful loss into an enduring classic.
Related: 1983 Hit, Once Called the Greatest Hair Metal Song Ever, Was Inspired By a Bible Hymn
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