Nothin’ But A Good Time – Poison

Take a trip back to the golden age of glam metal with our in-depth guitar lesson for Nothin’ But A Good Time by Poison. This high-energy anthem from 1988 is the perfect playground for guitarists looking to master the essential techniques of hard rock. In this note-for-note breakdown, LickLibrary instructors guide you through every riff, fill, and solo from the track, helping you build rock-solid rhythm skills and expressive lead playing.

Whether you’re looking to recreate that classic ‘80s sound or sharpen your guitar technique with fun and musical material, this lesson delivers exactly what you need. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitarist

Released on Poison’s Open Up and Say... Ahh! album, Nothin’ But A Good Time is an upbeat, feel-good rock anthem that became one of the band’s biggest hits. Its party vibe, catchy chorus, and flashy guitar work capture the spirit of the era perfectly.

At the heart of the track is guitarist C.C. DeVille, whose energetic style defined Poison’s signature sound. His playing combines bluesy roots with glam metal flair, using expressive bends, melodic licks, and explosive whammy bar tricks. DeVille’s guitar work on this track is flashy but musical—an ideal example of how technique can serve the song while still delivering jaw-dropping moments. Learning his parts gives players insight into how to mix feel with showmanship.

What You'll Learn in This Lesson

Palm Muting

This essential technique is used throughout the track to add a rhythmic punch to the riffs. By lightly damping the strings with your picking hand, palm muting creates a tight, percussive sound that enhances groove and clarity.

Why it’s valuable: Palm muting improves your rhythm control and helps tighten up your riffing—vital for rock and metal players.

Power Chords

The backbone of the song’s rhythm parts, power chords bring the raw, full-bodied sound that drives the track’s high-energy feel.

Why it’s valuable: These simple yet powerful shapes are core to rock guitar and help build a solid foundation in rhythm playing and songwriting.

Alternate Picking

Fast riffs and lead runs in the song require clean and consistent alternate picking, especially in the solo and pre-chorus sections.

Why it’s valuable: Alternate picking boosts speed, precision, and efficiency—must-have qualities for both rhythm and lead players.

Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs

Fluid legato licks dominate parts of the solo, making use of hammer-ons and pull-offs to create seamless melodic movement.

Why it’s valuable: These techniques add smoothness to your solos and help develop finger strength and coordination.

String Bending & Bluesy Bends

DeVille’s lead work is packed with expressive string bends and tasteful bluesy bends that give the solo a vocal-like feel.

Why it’s valuable: Mastering string bending teaches you pitch control and expression—two of the most crucial aspects of lead guitar.

Vibrato

Often used at the peak of a bend or a sustained note, vibrato adds character and emotion to your phrasing.

Why it’s valuable: Great vibrato makes your playing sound more professional and expressive, helping your notes sing.

Slides

Slides are used to connect melodic ideas in a smooth, stylish way. You’ll see them in transitions between riffs and throughout the solo.

Why it’s valuable: Slides add fluidity to your lead work and improve fretboard awareness.

Pinched Harmonics

C.C. DeVille sneaks in squealing pinched harmonics to bring intensity and flair to key moments in the song.

Why it’s valuable: They give your solos edge and character—essential for rock and metal lead guitar work.

Dive Bombs

With the help of a whammy bar, dive bombs create dramatic pitch drops that scream ‘80s rock spectacle.

Why it’s valuable: Learning dive bombs sharpens your whammy bar control and adds excitement to your solos.

Why This Lesson Matters

Nothin’ But A Good Time isn’t just a feel-good rock song—it’s a showcase of timeless guitar techniques that every aspiring lead guitarist should have in their arsenal. From power chord riffing to high-energy lead lines, this lesson offers something for both rhythm and soloing development. You'll improve your precision, timing, and expressiveness—all while learning a classic song that's a blast to play.

With LickLibrary’s expert guidance, you’ll not only learn how to play the song exactly as recorded, but also how to apply these techniques in your own playing.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Alternate Picking
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Vibrato
• Slides
• Pinched Harmonics
• Dive Bombs

Pick up your guitar and dive into Nothin’ But A Good Time—this lesson is packed with fun and fire, just like the song itself. Start playing today with LickLibrary and bring a little glam-metal magic into your playing.