Dive into the power ballad that defined an era and showcased Whitesnake's softer, yet still potent, side.
The Song
"Is This Love" is a quintessential power ballad by the British-American rock band Whitesnake. It was released on May 18, 1987, in the UK as the second single from their massively successful self-titled album, commonly known as 1987. Written by vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist John Sykes, the song originally began with a different artist in mind.
Coverdale had initially been approached by a friend at EMI Records who was looking for songs for Tina Turner to follow up her hit "What's Love Got to Do With It." While working on ideas in the south of France, Coverdale was "tinkering away" at the piano when Sykes overheard him and contributed to the melody, transforming it into a Whitesnake-esque track. David Geffen, head of their label, reportedly insisted Coverdale keep the song for Whitesnake upon hearing the demo.
The Artist
Whitesnake was founded by former Deep Purple singer David Coverdale in the late 1970s. While the band had a blues-rock foundation in its early days, by the mid-1980s, they had embraced a more polished glam metal sound that catapulted them to global superstardom, particularly with the release of their 1987 album. The success of "Is This Love" contributed significantly to this shift and broader appeal.
The music video for "Is This Love" features Coverdale's then-girlfriend, actress Tawny Kitaen, who became a prominent "video vixen" on MTV, also appearing in other iconic Whitesnake videos like "Here I Go Again" and "Still of the Night." The video was directed by Marty Callner and showcases the band performing on a misty stage, interspersed with intimate scenes of Coverdale and Kitaen. It's notable that due to lineup changes, Coverdale was the only band member present on both the recording and in the music video for most songs from the 1987 album, with the exception of Adrian Vandenberg on "Here I Go Again."
Chart Performance
"Is This Love" was a substantial commercial success for Whitesnake. It peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, held off the top spot only by George Michael's "Faith." This made it their second-biggest US hit, following "Here I Go Again" which reached number one.
In the UK, the single also performed well, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The song further demonstrated its enduring popularity when it was reissued in 1994 to promote Whitesnake's Greatest Hits album, charting again at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached number 13 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and number 38 on the Adult Contemporary chart in the US.
Cultural Impact
"Is This Love" is widely considered a defining power ballad of the 1980s. Its blend of hard rock aesthetics with a softer, romantic atmosphere and a catchy melody perfectly encapsulated the era's sound. The song's lyrical themes of romantic longing and doubt resonated deeply with audiences, contributing to its enduring popularity.
The accompanying music video, with its cinematic feel and the captivating presence of Tawny Kitaen, also played a crucial role in the song's widespread appeal and heavy rotation on MTV, solidifying Whitesnake's image as a band capable of both hard-hitting rock and heartfelt ballads. Its continued presence on "greatest power ballads" lists and millions of streams decades later confirm its lasting impact.
Fun Facts
- David Coverdale initially wrote "Is This Love" with Tina Turner in mind, after EMI Records sought material for her next album following "What's Love Got to Do With It."
- Upon hearing the demo, David Geffen, head of Geffen Records, reportedly told Coverdale to keep the song for Whitesnake.
- The music video director, Marty Callner, also directed the band's other iconic videos from the 1987 album, including "Here I Go Again" and "Still of the Night."
- "Is This Love" remains a mainstay in Whitesnake's live shows since its release in 1987 and is often described by Coverdale as a "good sonic hug" for the audience.
- In 2015, Classic Rock magazine ranked "Is This Love" as 7th on their list of the Top 40 greatest power ballads.