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Here I Go Again

Summary

"Here I Go Again" is a song by British rock band Whitesnake. Originally released on their 1982 album, Saints & Sinners, the power ballad was re-recorded for their 1987 self-titled album. It was re-recorded again the same year in a new "radio-mix" version, which was released as a single and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on 10 October 1987 (the band's only No. 1 on that chart), and also No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart on 28 November 1987. The 1987 version also made No. 1 on the Canadian RPM singles chart on 24 October 1987. In 2018 at the BMI London Awards, it received the "5 Million Performances Award",[9] while in 2022 it garnered the "8 Million-Air Award".[10]

"Here I Go Again"
Single by Whitesnake
from the album Saints & Sinners
B-side"Bloody Luxury"
ReleasedOctober 1982[1]
Recorded1982
StudioGoodnight L.A. Studios, Los Angeles, US
Genre
Length5:09
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Martin Birch
Whitesnake singles chronology
"Would I Lie to You"
(1981) 		"Here I Go Again"
(1982) 		"Victim of Love"
(1982)
Music video
"Here I Go Again" on YouTube
"Here I Go Again"
Single by Whitesnake
from the album Whitesnake
B-side"Children of the Night" (US)
"Guilty of Love" (UK)
ReleasedJune 1987 (US)
October 1987 (UK)
Recorded1985–1986
GenreGlam metal[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Length
  • 4:36 (album version)
  • 3:54 (radio edit mix)
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Whitesnake singles chronology
"Still of the Night"
(1987) 		"Here I Go Again"
(1987) 		"Is This Love"
(1987)
Music video
"Here I Go Again '87" on YouTube

Background and writing edit

The song was written by lead singer David Coverdale, and former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden. The most notable difference between the original and re-recorded versions are a slight change in the bluesy lyrics and pace.[11] The re-recording of the song in 1987 was advised by record labels bosses Al Coury and David Geffen as a negotiation deal with Coverdale to re-record "Crying in the Rain" for the band's self-titled album Whitesnake, released in 1987.[12][13][14]

The chorus of the original version features the lines:

And here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known
Like a hobo I was born to walk alone

In an interview, Coverdale explained that initially the lyrics had "drifter" but as that was already used in different songs he decided to use "hobo" instead. However, the lyric was changed back to "drifter" in the re-recorded '87 version, reportedly to ensure that it would not be misheard as "homo".[11][13]

The song was used in the climax of romantic comedy film Man Up (2015).[11]

Composition edit

The composition is in the key of G major and a tempo of 91 BPM.[15]

Music video edit

The '82 music video features the band performing the song onstage.[13] The music video for the '87 re-recorded version was directed by Marty Callner.[16] The video includes, besides the band's stage performance, appearances by model Julie E. "Tawny" Kitaen, who was married to Whitesnake's David Coverdale from 1989 to 1991.[4][13] Her notable sex-appeal was immediately recognized; she filmed memorable unchoreographed scenes dressed "in a white negligee, writhing and cartwheeling across the hoods of two Jaguars XJ" which belonged to Coverdale (white) and Callner (black).[16][17][18] Coverdale recalls that he brought choreographer Paula Abdul to the set to show Tawny some moves, but Abdul exclaimed that Tawny was already so accomplished regarding this video that she couldn't "show her anything".[19][20][21] Coverdale's iconic white Jaguar once again appeared in the music video for the single "Shut Up & Kiss Me" from the 2019 studio album Flesh & Blood.[19][22]

The song's 1987 music video was listed as one of the 15 Essential Hair-Metal Videos by The New York Times.[23]

Single versions edit

There are several different versions of the song, all recorded officially by Whitesnake.[13]

  • The original version from the 1982 Saints & Sinners album with Jon Lord on Hammond organ and Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody on guitar (5:03)[24]
  • The most popular version[according to whom?] is the re-recorded version that appears on the Whitesnake (aka 1987) album with John Sykes on guitar (solo by Adrian Vandenberg) (4:36)[25]
  • A 1987 "radio-mix" version, asked for by Geffen,[14] which was released as a United States single with Denny Carmassi on drums and Dann Huff on guitar, who also provided the new arrangement, which included an intro without keyboards and no Coverdale vocal intro verse. This version topped the charts,[13] and appeared on the Greatest Hits album in 1994 (3:54).

In 1987, EMI released a limited Collectors Poster Edition 'USA Single Remix' 7" vinyl [EMP 35], the B-side of which consists of an engraved signature version, and the sleeve of which unfolds into a poster of the band.[26] In 1997 Whitesnake recorded an acoustic version, released on their Starkers in Tokyo live album.[13]

Impact and legacy edit

In 2003, Martin Popoff listed the song at number 274 in The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time,[27] while Q magazine ranked it at 962 on their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever".[28] In 2006, the 1987 version was ranked number 17 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the '80s".[29] In 2008, The Times included it in their top 11 "heavy metal at its best" list.[30] In the 2012 Reader's Poll of Rolling Stone, it ranked 9th among the top 10 "Best Hair Metal Songs of All Time".[4] In 2017, The Daily Telegraph included it among the top 21 best power ballads.[31]

Personnel edit

Original 1982 version from Saints & Sinners:

1987 version from Whitesnake:

1987 radio-mix version:

Chart performance edit

This song is notable for being the only Whitesnake song to get airplay on adult contemporary stations despite not registering at all on the AC charts while "Is This Love" did, reaching No. 38.[32]

Following the death of Tawny Kitaen, the single debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Hard Rock Songs chart on 22 May 2021.[33]

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions edit

  • A dance cover by Frash was a minor hit in the UK in 1995, reaching No. 69.[58]
  • In 2004, a dance/pop take of "Here I Go Again" was recorded by Polish dancer and singer Mandaryna.[59] Released as the debut single from her debut album Mandaryna.com, it became a hit in Poland. It was later remixed by Axel Konrad of Groove Coverage for the single release in German speaking countries.

References edit

  1. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 894. ISBN 9780862415419.
  2. ^ Breihan, Tom (17 March 2021). "The Number Ones: Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again". Stereogum. Retrieved 7 November 2023. In its first incarnation, "Here I Go Again" was more of a blues-rock yarler...
  3. ^ Smith, Troy L. (13 May 2021). "Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Readers' Poll: The Best Hair Metal Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 20 June 2012.
  5. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Best of 80's Metal, Vol. 2 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  6. ^ Wake, Matt (13 June 2016). "A&R Legend John Kalodner Talks Aerosmith and Why Rock Won't Reach the Masses Again". LA Weekly. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  7. ^ Sleazegrinder (4 December 2015). "The 20 Best Hair Metal Anthems Of All Time Ever". Louder Sound. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  8. ^ Case, George (2007). Jimmy Page: Magus, Musician, Man. Backbeat Books. p. 199. ISBN 978-0-87930-947-3.
  9. ^ "Harry Gregson-Williams and Other Top Songwriters Honored At 2018 BMI London Awards". Broadcast Music, Inc. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  10. ^ "2022 London Awards". Broadcast Music, Inc. 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Hann, Michael (22 April 2015). "David Coverdale: 'I amplify who I am 10 times when I'm on stage'". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  12. ^ Popoff, Martin (2015). Sail Away: Whitesnake's Fantastic Voyage. Soundcheck Books. p. 148. ISBN 9780957570085.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Kielty, Martin (10 October 2017). "How Whitesnake Hit No. 1 With a Third Take on 'Here I Go Again'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  14. ^ a b Wardlaw, Matt (29 September 2017). "Why David Coverdale Couldn't Wait to Remix 'Whitesnake', and What's Next: Exclusive Interview". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Key and BPM of Whitesnake - Here I Go Again - AudioKeychain". AudioKeychain.
  16. ^ a b "Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" tops the charts". History. A&E Television Networks. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  17. ^ "The 1987 Album – Happy 30th!". Whitesnake.com. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  18. ^ Wake, Matt (8 July 2020). "20 of the most iconic cars in rock & roll". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  19. ^ a b Kaufman, Spencer (13 March 2019). "David Coverdale Tells the Story Behind Whitesnake's Iconic "Here I Go Again" Video". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 5 December 2020 – via Yahoo!.
  20. ^ Actress Tammy Kitaen, Ex-Wife Of David Coverdale, Dies At 59 from Blabbermouth.net website
  21. ^ Ep #212 Interview with Marc Moore of Van Halen Nation, Music by Mädhouse and 5 Qs with Tawny Kitaen by Randy and Troy (May 2, 2021) from "Ouch, You're On My Hair" podcast
  22. ^ Graff, Gary (14 February 2019). "Whitesnake Busts Out the Iconic White Jaguar for 'Shut Up & Kiss Me' Video: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  23. ^ Edwards, Gavin (5 May 2020). "15 Essential Hair-Metal Videos". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Whitesnake - Here I Go Again / Bloody Luxury (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  25. ^ "Whitesnake – Whitesnake". Discogs.com. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  26. ^ "Whitesnake - Here I Go Again (USA Remix) (Vinyl) at Discogs". www.discogs.com. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  27. ^ Popoff, Martin (2003). The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time. Toronto: ECW Press. ISBN 9781550225303.
  28. ^ Q Special Edition - 1001 Best Songs Ever. EMAP. 2003. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  29. ^ "VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's". Rock on the Net. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  30. ^ "Turn it up to 11: heavy metal at its best". The Times. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  31. ^ "Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart and the 20 other best power ballads". The Daily Telegraph. 18 August 2017.
  32. ^ "Whitesnake Chart History". Billboard.
  33. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (20 May 2021). "After Tawny Kitaen's Death, Whitesnake's 'Here I Go Again' Debuts Atop Hot Hard Rock Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  34. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 19. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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  41. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Here I Go Again". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
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  45. ^ "Whitesnake Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  46. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again [1987"] (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
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  50. ^ "Whitesnake Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
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  55. ^ "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. 26 December 1987.
  56. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1987". Cashboxcountdowns.com. 26 December 1987. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  57. ^ "British single certifications – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  58. ^ "FRASH | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  59. ^ "Mandaryna Here I go again - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2017.

External links edit

  • Here I Go Again 2017 Official Video Remix at official YouTube channel WhitesnakeTV
  • Here I Go Again 2020 HD at official YouTube channel WhitesnakeTV

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