Every Rose Has Its Thorn was released by American glam-metal band Poison in 1988 as a single from Open Up and Say... Ahh!, reaching number one in the United States and becoming the band's signature power ballad. Written by Bret Michaels about a failed relationship, its acoustic opening and reflective chorus made it a lasting radio staple long after hair metal faded. Online, the short title phrase is now clipped for edits about heartbreak and ironic sadness, sitting alongside other wistful meme sounds such as Hello Darkness My Old Friend, because listeners recognise its regret instantly.