His most well known playing is on the 1987 Whitesnake self titled album, also known simply as 1987. For the Whitesnake record John Sykes used two Mesa Boogie Coliseum heads and his favorite Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar.
Sykes fell victim to Whitesnake's revolving door; he was fired near the end of the 1987 recording sessions, but managed to record all his parts, save for the solo on "Here I Go Again" which was added later by Adrian Vandenberg.
This was Whitesnake's most successful recording, selling over 20 million copies worldwide. Songs like "Still of the Night", "Is This Love", "Give Me All Your Love", and particularly "Here I Go Again" were all hits, with the album reaching #2 on the Billboard Top 200.
Hoping to capitalize upon the success of 1987, Geffen Records signed Sykes to form a new band. After auditioning several vocalists (including Tony Martin and Ray Gillen), Sykes was encouraged to handle vocal duties himself. With fretless bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Carmine Appice, Blue Murder was formed.
Their self titled debut did moderately well, with "Valley of the Kings" receiving substantial airplay on MTV's Headbanger's Ball, the follow-up Nothing But Trouble received no promotion from Geffen and died quickly. A live recording, Screaming Blue Murder, was to be the band's final release.
Sykes has since recorded several solo albums, including Loveland, 20th Century, and Nuclear Cowboy. His latest album is a new live recording titled Bad Boy Live, which covers a large swath of his career, from the Thin Lizzy days through his most recent solo efforts.
In 1999, John Sykes' solo song "Cautionary Warning" was used in the anime series Black Heaven. The footage accompanying the song was rotoscoped from one of Sykes' concerts, which was a very striking statement for use in previews. Sykes' involvement in the series was the key feature of Pioneer USA's marketing.
In 2006, he got his own signature Gibson Les Paul Custom which was modeled after his favorite guitar, and has used it when touring with Thin Lizzy all around the UK and Ireland.
After over a decade fronting the reformed Thin Lizzy, John announced his departure from the band in June 2009.
Solo albums
As Sykes - Out of My Tree (1995)
As John Sykes - Loveland (1997)
As Sykes - 20th Century (1997)
As Sykes - Nuclear Cowboy (2000)
As John Sykes - Bad Boy Live! (2004)
As John Sykes - Sy-Ops (2021)
Is This Love
John Sykes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's times like these I can't make it on my own
Wasted days and sleepless nights
And I can't wait to see you again
I find I spend my time waiting on your call
How can I tell you, babe, my back's against the wall
I need you by my side to tell me it's all right
Is this love that I'm feeling?
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
Is this love or am I dreaming?
This must be love
'Cause it's really got a hold on me
A hold on me
Can't stop this feeling, I've been this way before
But with you I've found the key to open any door
I can feel my love for you growing stronger day by day
And I can't wait to see you again
So I can hold you in my arms
Is this love that I'm feeling?
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
Is this love (is this love?) or am I dreaming?
This must be love
'Cause it's really got a hold on me
A hold on me
Is this love that I'm feeling?
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
Is this love (is this love?) or am I dreaming?
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
Is this love (is this love?) or am I dreaming?
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
Is this love (is this love?) or am I dreaming?
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
Is this love (is this love?) or am I dreaming?
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
Is this love (is this love?) or am I dreaming?
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
John Sykes’ “Is This Love” is a love ballad about a person who is in love, but uncertain whether their feelings are reciprocated. The song’s lyrics express a sense of loneliness, emptiness, and desperation, with the singer admitting that they can’t make it on their own and need their lover by their side. The first verse is sung from the singer’s perspective, expressing regret for letting their lover go and admitting that they cannot make it without them. The second verse reveals how much the singer is waiting for their lover’s call and how their back is against the wall without them. The chorus is about the singer’s uncertainty about their lover’s feelings towards them, questioning whether this is love and whether their lover feels the same way.
The second part of the chorus and the bridge express how the singer feels that their love is growing stronger and that they can’t wait to see their lover again to hold them in their arms. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer’s uncertainty and desperation to know whether their love is reciprocated.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of longing for companionship and certainty in a relationship. The lyrics express the vulnerability of the singer’s emotions and their genuine desire for a meaningful connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I should have known better than to let you go alone
I regret not going with you and letting you go alone.
It's times like these I can't make it on my own
I realize that I need you and can't make it alone.
Wasted days and sleepless nights
I have been restless and anxious without you.
And I can't wait to see you again
I am eagerly looking forward to seeing you again.
I find I spend my time waiting on your call
I spend most of my time anxiously waiting for your call.
How can I tell you, babe, my back's against the wall
I am in a difficult situation and don't know how to tell you.
I need you by my side to tell me it's all right
I need you to be with me and assure me that everything will be okay.
'Cause I don't think I can take anymore
I am at the breaking point and can't handle it anymore.
Is this love that I'm feeling?
I am questioning if what I am feeling is true love.
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
I am asking myself if this is the kind of love I have been looking for.
This must be love
I have come to the realization that this feeling must be love.
'Cause it's really got a hold on me
This feeling of love has a strong hold on me.
Can't stop this feeling, I've been this way before
I have felt this way before and can't control this feeling.
But with you I've found the key to open any door
You are the key to my happiness and success in life.
I can feel my love for you growing stronger day by day
My love for you is getting stronger with each passing day.
And I can't wait to see you again
I am eagerly looking forward to seeing you again.
So I can hold you in my arms
I want to hold you close and feel your warmth and love.
Is this love that I'm feeling?
I am still questioning if what I am feeling is true love.
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
I am still trying to find out if this is the kind of love I have been looking for.
This must be love
I have come to the conclusion that this feeling must be genuine love.
'Cause it's really got a hold on me
This feeling has a strong grip on my heart and soul.
Is this love that I'm feeling?
I am still questioning if what I am feeling is true love.
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
I am still trying to find out if this is the kind of love I have been looking for.
Is this love (is this love?) or am I dreaming?
I am still unsure if this feeling is real or just a dream.
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
I am still uncertain if this is the kind of love I have been seeking.
Is this love (is this love?) or am I dreaming?
I am still questioning if this feeling is real or just a dream.
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
I am still trying to find out if this is the kind of love I have been looking for.
Is this love (is this love?) or am I dreaming?
I am still uncertain if this feeling is real or just a dream.
Is this the love that I've been searching for?
I am still trying to find out if this is the kind of love I have been looking for.
Writer(s): David Coverdale, John Sykes
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.