Complete List Of Bret Michaels Albums And Discography

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Bret Michael Sychak, better known by his stage name Bret Michaels, was born on March 15, 1963, and is a renowned American singer-songwriter and musician. He gained fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band Poison, a group that has achieved global sales exceeding 50 million albums, with 15 million of those sales in the United States alone. The band has enjoyed considerable success on the Billboard Hot 100, with 10 of their singles reaching the Top 40, including six Top 10 hits and the chart-topping ballad “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”

In addition to his role in Poison, Michaels has carved out a successful solo career, highlighted by his soundtrack for the 1998 movie A Letter from Death Row, a project where he took on multiple roles including star, writer, and director. His 2003 album, Songs of Life, showcased his rock sensibilities. Michaels’ ventures into film and television have included a stint as a judge on Nashville Star, which influenced his 2005 album Freedom of Sound, blending rock with country elements. His reality TV endeavors, notably Rock of Love with Bret Michaels on VH1 and his victory on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice 3, have further broadened his audience. His reality series Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It inspired his album Custom Built, which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hard Rock chart. Michaels has also made contributions as a host on the Travel Channel. Recognized for his vocal talents, Hit Parader placed him at No. 40 on their list of the greatest heavy metal singers.

Michaels was born in the small town of Chicora, Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh, and was raised in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Wally and Marjorie Sychak and has two sisters, Michelle and Nicole. An interesting family anecdote is that he was almost named “Maverick” in homage to the protagonist of the James Garner TV series. Michaels’ heritage is a tapestry of Carpatho-Rusyn, Irish, English, German, and Swiss. A poignant note in his family history is his great-uncle Nick Sychak, who valiantly fought at Omaha Beach during the Invasion of Normandy and was killed in action in France in 1944.

A Letter from Death Row

Released 1998

A Letter from Death Row is a unique project by Bret Michaels, serving as both a soundtrack to the movie of the same name and a solo studio album. This album showcases Michaels’ ability to blend rock with storytelling, providing a deeply personal and introspective look into themes of life, love, and mortality. The album was recorded at various locations, reflecting its diverse sound and production.

CD Track Listings:

“Party Rock Band” (featuring C.C. DeVille) – 3:20
“Human Zoo” – 2:40
“The Last Breath” (featuring Rikki Rockett) – 4:19
“I’d Die for You” – 3:28
“Times Like These” – 4:07
“Little Willie” – 3:19
“The Devil Inside” – 3:22
“A Letter from Death Row” – 3:56
“Sounds of Sex” (featuring Bobby Dall) – 3:20
“69” – 2:54
“Angst Mary” – 3:28
“Steel Bar Blues” – 4:22
“Violent Endings” – 3:32
“I’d Die for You” (String version) – 3:27

Songs of Life

Released 2003

Songs of Life is an album that delves into Bret Michaels’ personal experiences, offering an autobiographical glimpse into his life. The tracks range from introspective ballads to rock anthems, reflecting on love, loss, and redemption. This album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, and Los Angeles, California, showcasing Michaels’ knack for storytelling and his ability to connect with listeners on a personal level.

CD Track Listings:

“Menace to Society” – 2:52
“Bittersweet” – 3:23
“Raine” – 3:54
“Forgiveness” – 3:35
“Loaded Gun” – 2:59
“Strange Sensation” – 2:57
“Songs of Life” – 3:18
“One More Day” – 3:32
“I Remember” – 3:58
“The Chant” – 2:10
“It’s My Party” (2002 version) – 3:18
“War Machine” – 2:54
“Party Rock Band” (solo version) – 3:20
“Stay with Me” – 4:02

Freedom of Sound

Released 2005

Freedom of Sound is a genre-spanning album that incorporates elements of country, southern rock, and blues into Michaels’ well-established rock style. This album reflects his musical influences and pays homage to the sounds that have shaped his career. Recorded in various studios across the United States, “Freedom of Sound” is a testament to Michaels’ growth as an artist and his willingness to explore new musical territories.

CD Track Listings:

“Rock’n My Country” – 3:32
“Driven” (Rock mix) – 3:42
“Open Road” – 3:23
“All I Ever Needed” (featuring Jessica Andrews) – 3:35
“New Breed of American Cowboy” – 3:46
“Right Now, Right Here” – 3:24
“Lookin’ for a Good Time” – 2:58
“It’s All Good” – 3:15
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (Country version) – 4:20
“Bittersweet” – 3:22
“Raine” (Acoustic version) – 3:53
“Menace to Society” (Country demo version) – 3:01
“Walk Away” – 3:42
“Something to Believe In” (New version) – 6:29
“Future Ex-Wife” – 3:24
“The One You Get” – 3:35
“Human Zoo” – 2:48
“The Last

Custom Built

Released 2010

“Custom Built” is one of Bret Michaels’ standout solo albums, showcasing his versatility as an artist by blending elements of rock, country, and even pop. This album features a mix of original tracks and unique covers, including a country version of Poison’s hit “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” featuring Loretta Lynn. The album was recorded in various studios, reflecting its eclectic mix of styles and influences.

CD Track Listings:

“Riding Against the Wind” – 3:59
“Lie to Me” – 3:48
“Nothing to Lose” (featuring Miley Cyrus) – 3:56
“Wasted Time” – 3:53
“What I Got” – 3:34
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (Country version featuring Loretta Lynn) – 4:20
“Go That Far” (Club mix) – 3:41
“Driven” (Rock mix) – 3:43
“Open Road” – 3:23
“Rock’n My Country” – 3:32
“Nothing to Lose” (Bret-only version) – 3:54
“I’d Die for You” – 3:28

Jammin’ with Friends

Released 2013

“Jammin’ with Friends” is an album by Bret Michaels that features a wide array of collaborations with artists across various genres, showcasing Michaels’ versatility and connections within the music industry. The album includes new tracks as well as re-recorded versions of classics, all performed with friends and fellow musicians. The collaborative nature of the album brings a fresh perspective to Michaels’ music, highlighting his ability to blend rock with country, pop, and more.

CD Track Listings:

“Nothin’ But a Good Time” (featuring Michael Anthony, Lil Jon, and Ace Frehley) – 3:59
“Sweet Home Alabama” (featuring Rickey Medlocke, Gary Rossington, Bobby Capps, and Peter Keys) – 4:02
“Talk Dirty to Me” (featuring Mark McGrath and Scot Coogan) – 3:44
“Get Your Rock On” (featuring Phil Collen and Sal Coz Costa) – 2:50
“Unskinny Bop” (featuring The Shields Brothers) – 3:58
“The App Song” (featuring Brian Nutter, Jimmy Buffett, and Edwin McCain) – 4:04
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (featuring Loretta Lynn, Bobby Capps, Joe Perry, and Hugh McDonald) – 4:20
“Raine” (featuring Edwin McCain) – 3:53
“Driven” (Rock Mix) (featuring Leslie West and Jeffrey Steele) – 2:47
“Nothing to Lose” (featuring Miley Cyrus) – 3:54
“What I Got” (featuring Jaret Reddick) – 3:36
“Go That Far” (Club Mix) (featuring Jason Miller) – 3:41
“Fallen” (featuring Jimmy McGorman) – 4:02
“Party Rock Band” (featuring C.C. DeVille and Randy Owen) – 3:16
“You Know You Want It” (featuring Peter Keys) – 2:46
“Margaritaville” (recorded live in Detroit) (featuring Jimmy Buffett) – 4:53
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (Country version) (featuring Brad Arnold, Chris Cagle, and Mark Wills) – 4:21
“Something to Believe In” (featuring Phil Collen) – 6:02
“Nothin’ But a Good Time” (Classic Rock version) (featuring Ace Frehley and Michael Anthony) – 3:57