Here I Go Again

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” from their 1987 self-titled album, a track that’s pure rock energy! This song’s got a wild history. Originally dropped in 1982 on the Saints & Sinners album, it was a modest UK hit, peaking at #34. But in 1987, Geffen Records’s David Geffen and A&R guru John Kalodner saw untapped potential. They pushed David Coverdale to re-record it for the Whitesnake album, striking a deal to also redo “Crying in the Rain.” Coverdale wasn’t thrilled about revisiting the past, joking in a 2009 Louder interview, “I can’t even reverse my car because I hate going backwards so much.” But the gamble paid off big—the re-recorded version, with a slicker sound and Adrian Vandenberg’s guitar solo, soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 10, 1987, as celebrated in a 2020 Whitesnake X post. The iconic music video, featuring actress Tawny Kitaen cartwheeling across two Jaguars, became an MTV staple, with Coverdale noting in a 2017 Ultimate Classic Rock interview that Kitaen’s unchoreographed moves were so natural even choreographer Paula Abdul couldn’t add to them.

Another juicy tidbit: the song’s creation story has some mystery. Co-writer Bernie Marsden, in a 2023 Louder feature, said it started as a two-track demo at his Buckingham home in 1981, with the riff and chorus taking shape. Coverdale, however, has spun tales of writing it after a marriage breakup or on a boat in Venezuela, leaving Marsden puzzled. The 1987 radio mix, produced by Keith Olsen with drummer Denny Carmassi and guitarist Dann Huff, ditched the keyboard intro for a punchier vibe, as noted in a Discogs listing. Fun fact: in 2002, a Chicago White Sox DJ got fired for spinning “Here I Go Again” during a game, per Ultimate Classic Rock. The song’s legacy endures, earning a 2018 BMI London “5 Million Performances Award” and a 2024 “9 Million-Air Award,” as shared on Wikipedia.

David Coverdale, the heart of Whitesnake, kicked off his rock journey in the early 1970s. Born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, England, he was a young singer with big dreams, performing in local bands before a fateful audition changed everything. In 1973, Coverdale spotted an ad in Melody Maker for Deep Purple, who needed a vocalist after Ian Gillan’s departure. His demo tape, recorded in a small studio, landed him the gig, and he joined the legendary band for albums like Burn and Stormbringer, as detailed in his AllMusic bio. After Deep Purple disbanded in 1976, Coverdale went solo, releasing albums like White Snake and Northwinds. By 1978, he formed Whitesnake in London, blending blues-rock grit with hard rock swagger, with early members like guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden, per Wikipedia. The band’s early albums, like Trouble and Lovehunter, built a UK fanbase, but Coverdale’s sights were set on America, leading to the glossier, MTV-friendly sound of the 1987 Whitesnake album.

Stay connected with Whitesnake at their official website, where you’ll find tour updates and merch. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest news and throwback posts. Zoo Freaks can also dive into fan communities like the Whitesnake Fans Facebook group, buzzing with over 10,000 members sharing concert stories and rare vinyl finds. Another gem is the fan-run Whitesnake Flesh & Blood site, packed with discography details and tour archives. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!