Coverdale was largely unknown until he replaced Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan in 1973. He was a Boutique clerk in Redcar, Yorkshire when he sent in an old Boy Scout picture of his along with a demo tape to Deep Purple. Impressed by his deep blues timbre, Coverdale was recruited to the band, sharing vocal duties with bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes. His three year tenure ended in March 1976 when the band finally split up. Moving to Germany, he laid down a vocal track on a multi-artist project organised by Eddie Hardin, released by RCA Records as Wizard's Convention.
Unable to perform in England for contractual reasons, Coverdale then recorded vocals for both his solo albums in Germany while the backing tracks were laid down in London. The backing musicians who played on these albums were retained for touring purposes, and effectively became the original line-up of Whitesnake, Coverdale's personal group.
According to British heavy metal magazine Kerrang!, in 1982, with Whitesnake's lineup and career in flux, Coverdale was reportedly considered for the vocalist position with Black Sabbath, along with the late drummer Cozy Powell, following the departure of Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice. Coverdale declined (though Powell would later join Sabbath), and Sabbath hired Coverdale's predecessor in Deep Purple, Ian Gillan. Powell joined Coverdale for Whitesnake's Slide It In album and tour. There are two versions of this album; the European one having Colin Hodgkinson on bass with long-time Whitesnake members Mel Galley and Bernie Marsden on guitar, and the U.S. version having Neil Murray on bass and John Sykes, formerly of NWOBHM band Tygers Of Pan Tang and Thin Lizzy's final lineup replacing Marsden on guitar.
A series of blues- influenced hard rock records followed through the eighties, gaining popularity in the UK and Europe, although US success reamined elusive, until the multi-platinum '1987' written with ex Thin Lizzy guitarist John Sykes hit the racks. Coverdale kept Whitesnake going thereafter until their dissolution in 1994 when Geffen Records elected not to renew the contract. At that time, Coverdale worked with former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page on the Coverdale-Page project.
Inevitably, another Whitesnake re-formation was around the corner. Whitesnake's 1997 comeback album represented a return to Coverdale's R'n'B heritage. As he told the press on its release, he had tired of the more cartoonish elements of Whitesnake's image:
"I've had enough of the Tarzan impressions. I wanna sing. Less strain on the old Calvins."
This direction was also pursued on Coverdale's third solo album, Into the Light, although there was also the occasional lapse into hard rock bluster mode. Now settled in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Coverdale looks set to remain a fixture in rock's middle-aged hierarchy.
In December 2002, Coverdale re-reformed Whitesnake for an American and European tour, with Tommy Aldridge on drums, Marco Mendoza (bass), Doug Aldrich (guitar), Reb Beach (guitar) and Timothy Drury (keyboards). In 2004-2005 saw Whitesnake embark on a tour of the USA, South America and Europe.
Coverdale was married to actress Tawny Kitaen from February 17, 1989 until their divorce in April 1991. Kitaen was known for her provocative appearances in Whitesnake's music videos for "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love." Currently, he is married to Cindy Coverdale, a renowned author of books (most recent The Food That Rocks).
Discography
With Deep Purple
* Burn (1974)
* Stormbringer (album) (1974)
* Come Taste the Band (album) (1975)
Post-1976 Albums with Deep Purple
* Might Just Take Your Life (Live)
* Perks and Tit (Live)
* Live in London (Live)
* Made in Europe (Live)
* Mk III: The Final Concerts (Live)
* Live in Paris 1975 (Live)
* Listen Learn Read On
* Days May Come (studio rehersals)
* This Time Around - Live in Tokyo (Live)
* On the Wings of a Russian Foxbat (Live)
David Coverdale Solo
* David Coverdale's Whitesnake (1976)
* Northwinds (1977)
* Into the Light (2000)
With Whitesnake
* Snakebite (1978)
* Trouble (1978)
* Lovehunter (1979)
* Ready an' Willing (1980)
* Live...in the Heart of the City (1980)
* Come an Get It (1981)
* Saints & Sinners (1982)
* Slide It In (1984)
* Whitesnake 1987 (1987)
* Slip Of The Tongue (1989)
* Restless Heart (1997)
* Starkers in Tokyo (1997)
Other
* Various artists - Days of Thunder Soundtrack (1990)
* Coverdale/Page - Coverdale/Page (1993)
Whitesnake
David Coverdale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You need a woman by your side
She'll help you make it in the cold light
And keep you warm an' satisfied
If you want some more lovin'
Drive you out of your mind
Give a little sweetness and sugar
White skin women keep me howlin' for more
Brown skin honey, I love
Got a Whitesnake mama
You want to shake it mama
Got a Whitesnake mama
Come an' let it crawl on you,
Just enough to see ya through
You want to find a little angel
Sweet surrender in her eyes
Broke down heart through morning
To the moon is on the rise
Night time is the right time
For rolling on the silent gloves
Daytime, nighttime, anytime is the right time
Stealin' round and makin' some love
White skin women keep me howlin' for more
Brown skin honey, I love
Got a Whitesnake mama
You want to shake it mama
Got a Whitesnake mama
Come an' let it crawl on you,
Just enough to see ya through
Listen
Back door man ain't done nothing,
But creep around the door..
When you see his woman weepin'
You know the snake is there for more
Day time, night time is the right time
For rolling on the silent gloves
Night time is the right time
Make it sure you're the only one
White skin women keep me howlin' for more
Brown skin honey, I love
Got a Whitesnake mama,
You want to shake it mama
Got a Whitesnake mama
Come an' let it crawl on you,
And you, and you
Got a Whitesnake mama (endless repeat)
The lyrics of the song Whitesnake by David Coverdale describe the desire of a man to have a woman by his side, especially during the dark hours of the night when he needs her most. The singer mentions the need for love and affection in his life, and how having a woman can keep him warm and satisfied. He goes on to describe the difference in his preference between white skin and brown skin women, and how his "Whitesnake mama" can fulfill all his desires. He also talks about the importance of finding an angel in a woman's eyes and how he wants to be the only lover in her life.
The song has a very sexual undertone and it seems to advocate for promiscuity. However, one can argue that it also highlights the need for companionship and love in people's lives. The lyrics serve to emphasize the importance of having someone to lean on in the darkest hours and how a loving partner can make us feel warm and alive.
Line by Line Meaning
In the shadows of the dark night,
Under the veil of the dark and unknown, where secrets and dangers lurk,
You need a woman by your side
You require a supportive and loving partner,
She'll help you make it in the cold light
She'll assist you through the toughest moments in life,
And keep you warm an' satisfied
She'll provide you solace, comfort, and happiness,
If you want some more lovin'
If you crave more affection and intimacy,
Drive you out of your mind
She can pleasure you in the wildest ways imaginable,
Give a little sweetness and sugar
A little bit of sugary and delightful attention,
Just make it sure she understands
Ensure that she grasps the depth of your emotions and needs,
White skin women keep me howlin' for more
I desire women with a fair complexion, they are my irresistable addiction,
Brown skin honey, I love
Yet, women with a darker complexion capture my admiration and infatuation,
Got a Whitesnake mama
I have a companion who is fierce and passionate like a white snake,
You want to shake it mama
You ought to flaunt your beauty and seduce with charm,
Come an' let it crawl on you,
Submit to my advances and let us indulge in intimacy,
Just enough to see ya through
Let's share a moment of bliss that would help ease our worries,
You want to find a little angel
You aspire to meet someone pure, kind, and lovely,
Sweet surrender in her eyes
Someone who would gladly submit to her emotions and feelings just for you,
Broke down heart through morning
You have suffered a heartbreak and pains of love all night until the morning comes,
To the moon is on the rise
As the moon rises, the hope grows of finding love and its healing powers,
Night time is the right time
The night is usually the perfect moment to express oneself and make love,
For rolling on the silent gloves
To roll around in the darkness and keep quiet as if one is wearing gloves,
Daytime, nighttime, anytime is the right time
Whether the sun is shining or the moon is out, or at any moment in between, it's the right time. Because love is always in,
Stealin' round and makin' some love
To embark upon love-making, keeping your actions as secretive and safe as possible,
Back door man ain't done nothing,
The person who goes around the backdoor to make love is not necessarily an evil or immoral person,
But creep around the door..
They are just cautious and prefer to keep away from prying eyes,
When you see his woman weepin'
If a woman is crying, it might be a signal that someone has seen through your tactics,
You know the snake is there for more
That is why you should be wary of interference when you are in the moment of making love,
Make it sure you're the only one
When you are in someone's arms, try to confirm you are the only one they are holding,
And you, and you
And let my advances and love infuse and satisfy every part of your being,
Got a Whitesnake mama (endless repeat)
As the verses and rhythms persist, my love for my mate remains eternal.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID COVERDALE, MICK MOODY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kisiekaren
Anyone in 2024? โค๏ธ
@guyschmitt8637
Yes
@hugoalejandro27
Here i go again.....
@waylon825
Right here ๐๏ธ
@Ukr.774
I am๐
@user-jj3wl9ho1z
Yes, it. Is. Still. 2024!!!
@rhino
Rest In Peace Tawny Kitaen โค๏ธ
@rebecca75588
@Rhino we will all miss her dearly
@MIZORAM_mafaka_hnamte
She was their first crush to many 80s kids..
@roxannegentes4826
She was awesome. God bless tawny life is hard I hope you are in paradise.