Here I Go Again
"Here I Go Again" is a song by British rock band Whitesnake. Originally released on their 1982 album, Saints & Sinners, the power ballad[1] was re-recorded for their 1987 self-titled album. The song was re-recorded again the same year in a new "radio-mix" version, which was released as a single and hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on 10 October 1987, and number nine on the UK Singles Chart on 28 November 1987. The 1987 version also hit number one on the Canadian Singles Chart on 24 October 1987. In 2006, the 1987 version was ranked number 17 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s.[2]
"Here I Go Again" | ||||
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Single by Whitesnake | ||||
from the album Saints & Sinners | ||||
B-side | "Bloody Luxury" | |||
Released | 15 November 1982 | |||
Recorded | 1982 | |||
Studio | Goodnight L.A. Studios, Los Angeles, USA, 1989-1990 | |||
Length | 5:09 | |||
Label | Geffen | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Martin Birch | |||
Whitesnake singles chronology | ||||
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"Here I Go Again" | ||||
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Single by Whitesnake | ||||
from the album Whitesnake | ||||
B-side | "Guilty of Love" | |||
Released | July 1987 | |||
Recorded | 1985–1986 | |||
Genre | Glam metal | |||
Length |
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Label | Geffen | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Whitesnake singles chronology | ||||
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Background and writing
The song was written by the 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 lyrics and a different pace, as well as a missed "flam" at 4:22.
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 "hobo" was changed to "drifter" in the re-recorded version to ensure that it would not be misheard as "homo".[3]
Music video
The music video for the re-recorded version was directed by Marty Callner.[5] The video includes appearances by model Julie E. "Tawny" Kitaen, who was married to Whitesnake's David Coverdale from 1989 to 1991.
Single versions
There are several different versions of the song, all recorded officially by Whitesnake.
- 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)[6]
- The re-recorded version that appears on the Whitesnake (aka 1987) album with John Sykes on guitar (solo by Adrian Vandenberg) (4:36)[7]
- A 1987 "radio-mix" version, which was released as a U.S. single with Denny Carmassi on drums and Dann Huff on guitar, who also provided the new arrangement. This version also 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.[8]
Personnel
Original 1982 version from Saints & Sinners:
- David Coverdale – lead vocals
- Bernie Marsden – guitar
- Micky Moody – guitar, backing vocals
- Neil Murray – bass
- Ian Paice – drums
- Jon Lord – keyboards
- Mel Galley – backing vocals
1987 version from Whitesnake:
- David Coverdale – lead vocals
- John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals
- Neil Murray – bass
- Aynsley Dunbar – drums
- Adrian Vandenberg – guitar solo
- Don Airey – keyboards
- Bill Cuomo – keyboards
1987 radio-mix version:
- David Coverdale – lead vocals
- Dann Huff – guitar
- Mark Andes – bass
- Denny Carmassi – drums
- Don Airey – keyboards
- Bill Cuomo – keyboards
Chart performance
This song is notable for being the only Whitesnake song to get airplay on adult contemporary stations despite the fact "Is This Love" reached number 38 there and this song did not chart at all on the AC charts.[9]
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
All-time charts
Certifications
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Cover versions
- A dance cover version by Frash was a minor hit in the UK in 1995, reaching number 69.[27]
- In 2004, a dance/pop version of "Here I Go Again" was recorded by Polish dancer and singer Mandaryna.[28] Released as the debut single from her debut album Mandaryna.com, the song became a hit in Poland. It was later remixed by Axel Konrad of Groove Coverage for the single release in German speaking countries.
References
- "The 21 best power ballads".
- "VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's". Rock on the Net. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- "David Coverdale's bio". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- "Key and BPM of Whitesnake - Here I Go Again - AudioKeychain". AudioKeychain.
- "Whitesnake - "Here I go again"". Mvdbase.com. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- "Whitesnake - Here I Go Again / Bloody Luxury (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- "Whitesnake – Whitesnake". Discogs.com. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- "Whitesnake - Here I Go Again (USA Remix) (Vinyl) at Discogs". www.discogs.com. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- "Whitesnake Chart History". Billboard.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- "Ultratop.be – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again (1987)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – Whitesnake" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- "Charts.nz – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again". Top 40 Singles.
- "Whitesnake - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again [1987"]. GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again". VG-lista.
- "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- "SINGLE TOP 1OO OVER 1987" (PDF). Top40.nl. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- "UK Top 100 Singles & Albums of 1987". Moopy.org.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 99 (52). 26 December 1987.
- "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1987". Cashboxcountdowns.com. 26 December 1987. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- "British single certifications – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 January 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Here I Go Again in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "FRASH | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- "Mandaryna Here I go again - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 20 October 2017.