"Is This Love" is a power ballad by Whitesnake from their self-titled album… Read Full Bio ↴"Is This Love" is a power ballad by Whitesnake from their self-titled album released in 1987. Written by lead singer David Coverdale and guitarist John Sykes, the song was rumored to have been originally intended for Tina Turner. It was recently listed 87th on VH1's 100 Greatest Love Songs and 10th on their list of Greatest Power Ballads.

The song became one of the biggest hits in 1987, and it further defined Whitesnake as one of the premiere rock groups of the 1980s. It reached number 9 in the UK Singles Chart and number 2 in the US singles chart, making it their second-biggest US hit after Here I Go Again which hit number 1. This is a rare occurrence of the original heavier track charted higher than the power ballad.

The single was reissued in 1994 on cd and cassette, with the songs "Sweet Lady Luck" and "Now You're Gone" as b-sides. This version reached No.25 on the UK Singles Chart.

The music video featured David Coverdale's future wife Tawny Kitaen, who had appeared in the band's earlier video for "Here I Go Again".

The Audio Thieves featuring Uniting Nations covered this song in their 2006 album Dance Cover. Also in 2006 Thomas Anders covered the song for his album Songs Forever.

Is This Love
Whitesnake Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I should have known better
Than to let you go alone
It's times like these
I can't make it on my own
Wasted days, and sleepless nights
An' 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 alright
'Cause I don't think I can take anymore

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

I can't stop the 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
An' I can't wait too 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 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 or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for

Is this love or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Whitesnake's song "Is This Love" express an intense feeling of loneliness and longing for a lost love. The singer can't seem to make it on his own and is waiting for his lover's return. He is confessing his desperation and vulnerability, confessing he needs her support to keep going. The chorus poses the question: Is this love that I'm feeling? It is a wonderment as to whether the intense feeling and euphoria he is experiencing are the real person or just a daydream. The whole song explores the singer's deep emotions and attempts to understand them.

Line by Line Meaning

I should have known better
I regret letting you go alone

Than to let you go alone
I made a mistake not being with you

It's times like these
I struggle when you're not with me

I can't make it on my own
I need you by my side

Wasted days, and sleepless nights
I can't stop thinking about you

An' I can't wait to see you again
I'm excited to be reunited with you

I find I spend my time
I'm always waiting for you

Waiting on your call
Hoping to hear from you soon

How can I tell you, babe
I struggle to express my feelings

My back's against the wall
I'm dealing with a difficult situation

I need you by my side
I depend on you for support

To tell me it's alright
I need reassurance from you

'Cause I don't think I can take anymore
I'm close to breaking point

Is this love that I'm feeling
Do I really love you?

Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this what true love feels like?

This must be love
I realize I'm in love with you

'Cause it's really got a hold on me
My feelings for you are strong and overwhelming

I can't stop the feeling
I can't resist my love for you

I've been this way before
I have experience with love, but this is different

But, with you I've found the key
You have changed my perspective on love

To open any door
I feel like our love can conquer anything

I can feel my love for you
My love for you is growing stronger

Growing stronger day by day
My love for you is constantly increasing

So I can hold you in my arms
I long to physically embrace you

Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this really what true love feels like?