In their early years, Whitesnake played in a hard-edged blues rock and heavy metal influenced style. By the mid-80s, the band had moved towards a more commercially friendly arena rock and pop metal ethos, garnering them major hits such as "Love Ain't No Stranger", "Now You're Gone", "Slide It In", "Still of the Night", and the iconic tune "Here I Go Again" (arguably their 'signature song'). They were named the 85th greatest hard rock band of all time by VH1.
Whitesnake were active primarily in the 80s, but they still tour, albeit with an entirely new line-up (bar Coverdale), to this day. Some of the most famous musicians who have joined the band for a time include Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Cozy Powell, Neil Murray, Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody, Rudy Sarzo, John Sykes, Adrian Vandenberg, Vivian Campbell, Tommy Aldridge, and Steve Vai.
The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple. This is not only because three past members of the band were once in Deep Purple but also because of their sound and influences. Later, the band took on a sound more in line with the hair metal style popular in the mid to late 80s, but they never truly left their heavy, blues rock roots behind
Formed in 1978 by David Coverdale after leaving Deep Purple, Whitesnake were originally a straightforwards heavy rock group with Jon Lord and Ian Paice from Deep Purple in the band. Despite a few album releases and constant touring, Whitesnake was unable to attain any significant commercial success in America, though becoming popular in the U.K., Europe, and Japan. Their critical reviews as well for their albums were somewhat mixed.
After acquaintance with Chris Cuttler, Fred Frith and most importantly, young guitarist John Sykes, David Coverdale decided to turn to a slicker, more commercially viable sound. Whitesnake made their first major splash in the States in 1984 with the album 'Slide It In', featuring the self-titled single as well as rock tracks "Slow An' Easy" and "Love Ain't No Stranger". All three of them gained major airplay and were eaten up by fans. Sykes was not involved in any of the song writing for 'Slide It In', though re-did some of Micky Moody's guitar work in the American remastering of the U.K. version of the album.
Three years later, thanks to radio-friendly, Zeppelin-ish songwriting and MTV friendly Tawny Kitaen's automobile acrobatics, Whitesnake became superstars with the album 'Whitesnake' (titled '1987' in Europe, and 'Serpens Albus' in Japan). Containing the U.S. smash hits "Here I Go Again", "Is This Love", "Still of the Night" and others, the album eventually sold over 10 million copies. Coverdale replaced the entire band for the subsequent tour, ditching Sykes for guitarists Adrian Vandenberg and Vivian Campbell. Also joining the band at this point were bassist Rudy Sarzo and drummer Tommy Aldridge.
Campbell left shortly after the tour (going on to replace Steve Clark in Def Leppard. Vandenberg, despite penning most of the material on the follow-up album, was unable to record due to a freak wrist injury. Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai was brought in to record all of the guitar parts for Slip of the Tongue, which was released in the spring of 1989. Despite going platinum, the album did not reach the stratospheric heights of Whitesnake (entitled 1987 in Europe, and Serpens Albus in Japan). With a divorce looming, and the alternative 'grunge' movement threatening to destroy the melodic rock movement, Coverdale dissolved Whitesnake.
In the late 90s, David Coverdale and Adrian Vandenberg finally recorded together again. Initially intended to be a Coverdale solo effort, the Whitesnake name was eventually attached (much like the Tony Iommi/Black Sabbath projects of the late 80s). The resulting products were a new studio album entitled Restless Heart, and the live acoustic set, Starkers In Tokyo.
In the early 2000's Coverdale relaunched Whitesnake fully with an entirely new lineup centred around guitarists Reb Beach and Doug Aldrich (previously of Winger and Lion/Dio). This Whitesnake embarked on tours across the globe, releasing the "Live In the Still of the Night" DVD and "Live... In the Shadow of the Blues" on CD in 2006. A new studio album, "Good to be Bad", was released in 2008 reaching the top 10 in the UK album charts.
Over the last few years Coverdale has been involved in a remastering project which has seen all albums from 1978's Trouble, to 1989's Slip of the Tongue reissued with bonus material.
Whitesnake released Forevermore, on March 25, 2011 in Europe, and on the 29th in North America. They have released a number of scheduled 2011 tour dates on their website, with six scheduled UK tour dates and other European dates. In February 2011, Whitesnake was announced as one of the headliners to play the annual Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma, on Memorial Day weekend. A digital single for the song 'Love Will Set You Free' was released, along with a video for the song, on February 21.
The album Forevermore was released as a special edition 'Snakepack' through Classic Rock magazine on 25 March, a full 3 weeks before its commercial release. The fan pack includes the full, official new album Forevermore, a 132-page magazine, poster and pin badge. On 20 March 2011, Whitesnake announced that Brian Ruedy would play keyboards on the Forevermore World Tour.
The album did not chart highly upon its official release in the UK (number 33, possibly due to the copies released as part of the aforementioned Classic Rock Snakepack, which are not eligible for the charts). It did, however, show signs of Whitesnake's slow rebuild of support in the US with the album charting at number 49 - the band's highest charting album since the 80s.
Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach are Whitesnake longest standing guitar players, both being in the band 10 years by 2012.
Whitesnake are set to embark on their farewell tour in May 2022, beginning in the UK and Ireland with Foreigner and Europe. In July 2021, the group announced the addition of multi-instrumentalist Dino Jelusick to their ranks, turning Whitesnake into a septet for the first time. Later that November, Michael Devin parted ways with the band. He was replaced by Tanya O'Callaghan, marking the first female musician to join the band.
Website: http://www.whitesnake.com/
Here I Go Again
Whitesnake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I sure know where I've been
Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday
And I've made up my mind
I ain't wasting no more time
Here I go again, here I go again
Though I keep searching for an answer
I never seem to find what I'm looking for
'Cause I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
Here I go again on my own
Going down the only road I've ever known
Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone
And I've made up my mind
I ain't wasting no more time
I'm just another heart in need of rescue
Waiting on love's sweet charity
And I'm gonna hold on for the rest of my days
'Cause I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
And here I go again on my own
Going down the only road I've ever known
Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone
And I've made up my mind
I ain't wasting no more time
But here I go again
Here I go again
Here I go again
Here I go
'Cause I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
And here I go again on my own
Going down the only road I've ever known
Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone
And I've made up my mind
I ain't wasting no more time
And here I go again on my own
Going down the only road I've ever known
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
'Cause I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
And here I go again on my own
Going down the only road I've ever known
Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone
"Here I Go Again" is a classic rock song written by David Coverdale and Bernie Marsden of the band Whitesnake. The lyrics of the song talk about a person who is embarking on a new journey in life, filled with uncertainty, but with a sense of determination to make the most of it. The opening two lines already set the tone for the song by stating that the singer may not be sure where he's going, but he sure knows where he's been. The next line, "Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday," suggests that he may take inspiration from the past to get through his present.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about how he keeps searching for an answer but never seems to find what he's looking for. He prays for strength to carry on despite the challenges that he faces. In the chorus, the singer talks about how he's on his own, walking down the only road he's ever known like a drifter. But he's made up his mind not to waste any more time and is determined to hold on for the rest of his days. The song ends with the singer repeating the phrase "Here I go again" as if he's ready to take on whatever comes his way.
Overall, "Here I Go Again" is a powerful anthem that resonates with many people who are facing uncertain times. The song encourages listeners to take a chance on themselves, to have faith in their abilities, and face their challenges head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know where I'm going
I'm uncertain about my future and where it's taking me
But I sure know where I've been
I'm aware of my past experiences and how they've shaped me
Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday
I find comfort in the nostalgia of old songs and their hopeful lyrics
And I've made up my mind
I've come to a decision and am determined to follow through
I ain't wasting no more time
I'm not going to let my past hinder me any longer
Here I go again, here I go again
I'm embarking on a new journey, despite my uncertainties
Though I keep searching for an answer
I'm constantly seeking clarity in my life
I never seem to find what I'm looking for
My search for answers often leads to dead ends
Oh, Lord, I pray you give me strength to carry on
I'm asking for divine guidance and the strength to persevere
'Cause I know what it means
I'm familiar with the struggles and challenges of life
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
To pursue one's goals and aspirations despite feeling isolated
Here I go again on my own
I'm starting anew without relying on anyone else's help
Going down the only road I've ever known
I'm following the path that has been laid out for me so far
Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone
I've come to accept that I may always feel somewhat alone on my journey
I'm just another heart in need of rescue
I feel lost and in need of emotional support
Waiting on love's sweet charity
I'm hoping that someone will show me kindness and compassion
And I'm gonna hold on for the rest of my days
I'm determined to keep going, no matter what obstacles may come my way
But here I go again
I'm starting fresh, leaving my past behind
Here I go again
I'm taking the leap, even though I don't know what the future holds
And here I go
I'm ready to face whatever comes my way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Coverdale, Bernie Marsden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BLT001
Oh, thank you! THIS is the version I remember from my youth! I just knew there was a version where he didn't go high before the guitar solo, but instead did that "Oooh baby, oooh yeah." Took a while to find it, but finally did thanks to you!
Alex Alexon
This is the '88 Dan Huff-guitared version. Love it. Cheers! 🙂
n10cities
Listened to that song many times while I was in college as well as watched the video to that song on MTV in the 80s.