The song was written by lead singer David Coverdale and guitarist John Sykes, and proved to be one of the band's most popular songs. It combines the blues origins of the band with the more distorted, harder sound driving the song, making for a powerful hard rock song. The current Whitesnake lineup and John Sykes both play the song as their live encore.
The song has been cited as sounding similar to Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog", a possible source of inspiration for Coverdale and Sykes.
A music video, featuring Coverdale's then future wife Tawny Kitaen, was shot for the song, and it was MTV's most requested video in its first week of release.
A cover version of the song is featured in the video game Rock Revolution.
Still of the Night
Whitesnake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sniffing around your door
In the still of the night I feel my heart beating heavy
Telling me I gotta have more
In the shadow of night, I see the full moon rise
Telling me what's in store
My heart start aching, my body started shaking
No, no, no
Now I just want to get close to you
And taste your love so sweet
And I just want to make love to you
Feel your body heat
In the still of the night
In the still of the night
Over here, baby
In the heat of the day I hang my head down low
And hide my face from the sun
Through the light of the day until the evening time
I'm waiting for the night to c-c-c-come
Ooh, baby
In the still of the night
In the cool moonlight
I feel my heart is aching
In the still of the night
Ooh, baby
Ooh, babe
I can't keep away
Closer and closer
Need to be closer
I can't keep away
Can't keep away, can't keep away
I can't keep away, no
You gotta give me love
You gotta give me some lovin' everyday
I can't keep away
Ooh, baby, ooh woman, ahh
Get over here, babe
In the still of the night, I hear the wolf howl, honey
Sniffing around your door
In the still of the night, I feel my heart beating heavy
Telling me I gotta have more
Ooh, mama
Now I just want to get close to you
Taste your love so sweet
And I just want to make love to you
Feel your body heat
In the still of the night, ooh yeah
In the still of the night
I will be sneakin' 'round your door
In the still of the night
In the still of the night
Ain't nothing gonna stop me now
Still of the night, still of the night, still of the night
Still of the night, still of the night, still of the night
Still of the night, still of the night, still of the night
Still of the night, still of the night, still of the night
The lyrics of Whitesnake's "Still of the Night" are about a man who is overwhelmed with desire for a woman, to the point where he cannot resist anymore. The first verse sets the scene at night, with the wolf howling and the singer eager to have more of what he desires. The use of animal imagery and the night setting creates a sensual, slightly dangerous atmosphere that is typical of rock songs. In the second verse, the singer is waiting for the night to come, using the contrast between day and night to heighten the tension. He wants to get closer to the object of his desire and feel her body heat, which builds up to the chorus where he sings about how he won't be stopped and that he'll keep coming back for more.
The chorus is a powerful anthem-like repetition of the song title, which may be the most memorable aspect of the song for many listeners. The lyrics are quite simple, but the instrumentation, including the heavy guitar riffs, the pounding drums, and the catchy melody, all work together to create a powerful impact. Overall, the lyrics of "Still of the Night" convey a message about passion and desire that is common in rock music.
Line by Line Meaning
In the still of the night I hear the wolf howl, honey
During the peaceful and quiet hours of the night, I hear the wolf cry outside your door, my dear
Sniffing around your door
The wolf is sniffing and trying to sense your presence and whereabouts at your doorstep
In the still of the night I feel my heart beating heavy
In the tranquility of the night, I sense my heart racing and pounding heavily
Telling me I gotta have more
My intense emotions and passion are urging me to seek more of your love and company
In the shadow of night, I see the full moon rise
Under the darkness of the night, I see the full moon gradually emerging and shining bright
Telling me what's in store
The full moon is a sign of what's to come or what will happen in the future
My heart start aching, my body started shaking
My heart is aching with desire and my body is trembling with excitement
And I can't take no more
I cannot resist this intensity of feeling anymore
Now I just want to get close to you
My sole intention now is to move closer to you
And taste your love so sweet
To feel the pleasure of your sweet love and affection
And I just want to make love to you
All I desire is to express my love and intimacy with you physically
Feel your body heat
To experience the warmth and passion of your body while being close to you
In the heat of the day I hang my head down low
During the scorching hot hours of the day, I tend to lower my head and avoid the sun
And hide my face from the sun
I try to keep my face away from the sunrays to avoid its heat and brightness
Through the light of the day until the evening time
From dawn to dusk, I go through the daytime waiting for the evening to arrive
I'm waiting for the night to c-c-c-come
I eagerly wait for the nightfall to come with excitement and anticipation
You gotta give me love
You need to express your love and affection towards me
You gotta give me some lovin' everyday
Your love and affection must be shown to me every day
Ain't nothing gonna stop me now
Nothing can prevent me from achieving my desire to be with you and experience your love
Still of the night
The peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the night
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Coverdale, John Sykes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kevinkemble3718
Waited to make a post awhile back … was in the industry 40 years ago. I escaped only because the cigarettes, smoke and booze was outrageous. I had hospitalizations due to extreme bronchitis and some other physical (surgery) reasons I couldn’t emotionally recover from running hard. Excitement was my addiction. Day in day out. Night in night out.
It’s really painful just reminded of some of the sweetest young women who were supportive and were USED, who blasted off the planet early or still paying the price for the coarseness of rock n roll.
I’ll leave it at that. At 20 first bands.. on the road circuit 23yrs at the time 1977 I thought the goal was to be accountable, earn respect, be mentored by elite professionals, produce great records, entertain the world. Wrong.
I was totally off in my own world of self discipline, pushing the limits in technology (available) tho’ not perfect.
I’d never do it again. No regrets, other than I warned as many as I could, (as I was) introducing musicians to a way out. Some did leave and successful in other industries, IT, surgeon, etc.
(My close friends I travel the U.S. in large venues, showcases, 52 weeks a year).
Several of guys are with the best of the best in their 50s & early 60s. However, the pandemic has taken a huge toll of their lifestyle and families.
Anywho Tawny Kitaens, of the world. Just know you were and still loved. And I know you changed the world for many a soul.
God Speed everyone.
@Blurayvideo710
Who’s here in 2024 🤘
@laurasupko
Me on the 26th and I just got married today to my Ed ❤❤❤❤❤
@V8anyday
Right here brother
@sandi685
Me!! ❤️
@deabiferr
MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
@mariec3898
Me 🎸🎸🤘🤘John Sykes and many others made me want to learn to play guitar 🎸
@mikeola0024
This era was full of good music
@HighSpeedNoDrag
Yes and had a few drinks, seen a few things.
@taff6987
And great movies too. Great skate culture that went on into the 90s. Just more happier times all round.
The 80s was a magical era. Dont let anyone else say different!
@sts242
No, it was full of hot girls with mini skirts. High school was awesome.