Step into the opulent, dramatic world of 80s hard rock with one of its most defining visual statements.
The Song
"Still of the Night" is the powerful opening track from Whitesnake's commercially successful self-titled seventh studio album, often referred to as 1987 in North America and Whitesnake internationally. Released in 1987, the song quickly became a cornerstone of the band's sound and live shows. Co-written by vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist John Sykes, it features a heavy, blues-infused hard rock style, drawing comparisons to Led Zeppelin with its dark, driving riffs and Coverdale's powerful, soaring vocals.
The track's brooding atmosphere and dramatic shifts in tempo make it an album highlight, showcasing the band's embrace of a more polished, arena-rock sound while retaining their blues-rock roots. Its intricate arrangement and Sykes's blistering guitar work helped define the "hair metal" sound that dominated the airwaves at the time.
The Artist
Whitesnake, fronted by the charismatic David Coverdale, rose to international superstardom in the mid-to-late 1980s after years of success in Europe. Formed in 1978 after Coverdale's departure from Deep Purple, the band initially pursued a blues-rock sound. However, the 1987 album marked a significant shift towards a more polished, commercial hard rock style, perfectly aligning with the burgeoning MTV era.
This lineup featured John Sykes on guitar, Neil Murray on bass, and Aynsley Dunbar on drums, with Don Airey credited on keyboards. The band's revamped image and radio-friendly yet still heavy sound propelled them into the mainstream, making them one of the biggest rock acts globally.
Chart Performance
While not released as a commercial single in all territories, "Still of the Night" was a massive hit on rock radio and a fan favorite. It peaked at #7 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States in 1987, demonstrating its significant impact on rock audiences.
The parent album, Whitesnake (1987), was a multi-platinum success, largely driven by the popularity of tracks like "Still of the Night" and subsequent singles such as "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love." The song's heavy rotation on MTV and rock radio contributed significantly to the album's immense sales and cultural footprint.
Cultural Impact
The music video for "Still of the Night" is arguably as iconic as the song itself, setting a visual standard for 80s hard rock. Directed by Marty Callner, it is a masterclass in combining high-octane performance footage with dramatic, often sensual, narrative elements. The video famously features actress and model Tawny Kitaen, then-girlfriend and future wife of David Coverdale, performing acrobatic dances on the hood of a Jaguar and writhing on a bed, embodying the era's blend of sex appeal and rock 'n' roll excess.
The video's dark, atmospheric lighting, fog machines, and close-ups on the band members performing with intense energy perfectly captured the song's brooding power. It established a template for many subsequent "hair metal" videos: beautiful women, luxury cars, dramatic imagery, and a focus on the band's larger-than-life stage presence. The imagery of Kitaen's provocative dancing became synonymous with Whitesnake's visual identity during this period, leaving a lasting impression on MTV viewers and solidifying the band's status as visual rock icons.
Fun Facts
- The video was directed by Marty Callner, who also helmed several other classic Whitesnake videos from the 1987 album, including "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love."
- Tawny Kitaen's memorable appearance in this video, along with "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love," cemented her status as an iconic rock video vixen of the era.
- The sleek white Jaguar XJ-S featured prominently in the video became another instantly recognizable symbol of the band's opulent 80s image.
- David Coverdale revealed that the song was heavily influenced by his past work with Deep Purple, particularly the heavier, more dramatic arrangements.
- During the recording of the 1987 album, Whitesnake went through significant lineup changes, with John Sykes, Neil Murray, and Aynsley Dunbar leaving before the album's full release, making the video a visual representation of a lineup that mostly performed only in the studio.