ROCK MOMENT – Whitesnake “Is This Love”
Released in 1987, “Is This Love” became one of Whitesnake’s biggest worldwide hits and helped transform the band from a successful British hard rock act into an international superstar. Featured on the self-titled Whitesnake album (released as 1987 in Europe), the power ballad climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, second only to George Michael’s “Faith.” Alongside “Here I Go Again,” the song introduced Whitesnake to a massive American audience during the height of the MTV era.
Ironically, “Is This Love” was never intended to be a Whitesnake song. Frontman David Coverdale has revealed that he originally began writing it with legendary guitarist and producer John Sykes as a possible song for Tina Turner, whose career had been revitalized by Private Dancer. As the writing sessions progressed, however, Coverdale realized the melody and emotional lyrics were too strong to give away. He decided to keep the song for Whitesnake’s next album, a decision that would prove pivotal in the band’s career.
Lyrically, “Is This Love” departs from the swagger and blues-based hard rock that had defined much of Whitesnake’s earlier catalog. Instead, Coverdale delivers a heartfelt performance about vulnerability, uncertainty, and the excitement of falling in love. The restrained arrangement allows the melody to shine, gradually building from gentle keyboards and clean guitar passages into a soaring arena-rock chorus.
Although John Sykes co-wrote the song and recorded the original guitar parts during the 1987 sessions, he had left the band before the album was released following creative and personal differences with Coverdale. Much of the promotional work—including the world tour and the iconic music video—featured the band’s new lineup, including guitarist Adrian Vandenberg, guitarist Vivian Campbell, bassist Rudy Sarzo, and drummer Tommy Aldridge. Because Vandenberg suffered a wrist injury before recording began, Sykes actually performed nearly all of the guitar parts heard on the finished album, including the tasteful solos on “Is This Love.”
The album itself was produced by Mike Stone, whose résumé already included landmark recordings with Queen, Journey, Asia, and Foreigner. Stone helped refine Whitesnake’s sound into a polished blend of heavy guitars, layered harmonies, and radio-friendly production without sacrificing the band’s hard rock identity. His production, combined with Coverdale’s powerful vocals and Sykes’ melodic guitar work, gave “Is This Love” its timeless appeal.
The song’s music video became one of MTV’s most memorable clips of the late 1980s. It featured actress and model Tawny Kitaen, who was Coverdale’s girlfriend at the time and would later become his wife. Unlike her energetic performances on the hood of two Jaguar sports cars in the videos for “Here I Go Again” and “Still of the Night,” Kitaen’s appearance in “Is This Love” was softer and more romantic, perfectly matching the song’s emotional tone. Heavy MTV rotation helped propel the single to millions of viewers and cemented Whitesnake’s status as one of the defining rock bands of the decade.
Looking back, David Coverdale has often spoken fondly of the song, calling it one of his favorite compositions because of its honesty and universal message. More than three decades after its release, “Is This Love” remains a staple of classic rock radio and one of the most enduring power ballads of the 1980s. Its combination of heartfelt lyrics, unforgettable melody, and stellar musicianship continues to resonate with fans, proving that sometimes the songs almost given away become the ones that define a band’s legacy.
