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 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.

This article is about the song by Whitesnake. For other uses, see Here I Go Again (disambiguation).

"Here I Go Again"
Single by Whitesnake
from the album Saints & Sinners
B-side"Bloody Luxury"
Released15 November 1982
Recorded1982
StudioGoodnight L.A. Studios, Los Angeles, USA, 1989-1990
Length5:09
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Martin Birch
Whitesnake singles chronology
"Would I Lie to You"
(1981)		 "Here I Go Again"
(1982)		 "Victim of Love"
(1982)
Music video
"Here I Go Again" on YouTube
"Here I Go Again"
Single by Whitesnake
from the album Whitesnake
B-side"Guilty of Love"
ReleasedJuly 1987
Recorded1985–1986
GenreGlam metal[1][2]
Length
  • 4:36 (album version)
  • 3:54 (radio edit mix)
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Whitesnake singles chronology
"Crying in the Rain"
(1987)		 "Here I Go Again"
(1987)		 "Is This Love"
(1987)
Music video
"Here I Go Again '87" on YouTube

In 2003, Q magazine ranked it 962nd on their list of 1001 "Best Songs Ever".[3] In 2006, the 1987 version was ranked number 17 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s.[4] In 2012 Reader's Poll of Rolling Stone it ranked as 9th among Top 10 "The Best Hair Metal Songs of All Time".[1] In 2017, The Daily Telegraph included it among Top 21 best power ballads.[5]

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 bluesy lyrics and pace.[6] The re-recording of the song was advised by record labels boss David Geffen as a negotiation deal with Coverdale to re-record "Crying in the Rain" for the band's self-titled album Whitesnake released in 1987.[7][8]

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 initially the lyrics had "drifter" but as already was used in different songs choose instead "hobo", however the latter was changed again to "drifter" in the re-recorded '87s version reportedly to ensure that it would not be misheard as "homo".[6][7]

The song was used in the climax of romantic comedy film Man Up (2015).[6]

Composition

The song is composed in the key of G major and a tempo of 91 BPM.[9]

Music video

The '82s music video features the band performing the song onstage.[7] The music video for the '87s re-recorded version was directed by Marty Callner.[10] The video includes, besides band's stage performance, appearances by model Julie E. "Tawny" Kitaen, who was married to Whitesnake's David Coverdale from 1989 to 1991.[1][7] Her notable sex-appeal was immediately recognized, having memorable unchoreographed scenes dressed "in a white negligee, writhing and cartwheeling across the hoods of two Jaguars XJ" which belonged to Coverdale (white) and Callner (black).[10][11][12] Coverdale recalls that he even brought choreographer Paula Abdul to the set to show some moves to Tawny, but only to positively exclaim that she couldn't "show her anything".[13] Coverdale's iconic white Jaguar once again appeared in the music video for single "Shut Up & Kiss Me" from their 2019 studio album Flesh & Blood.[13][14]

Single versions

There are several different versions of the song, all recorded officially by Whitesnake.[7]

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.[17] In 1997 the band recorded an acoustic version, released on their Starkers in Tokyo live album.[7]

Personnel

Original 1982 version from Saints & Sinners:

1987 version from Whitesnake:

1987 radio-mix version:

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.[18]

Charts and certifications

Cover versions
  • A dance cover version by Frash was a minor hit in the UK in 1995, reaching number 69.[36]
  • In 2004, a dance/pop version of "Here I Go Again" was recorded by Polish dancer and singer Mandaryna.[37] 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
  1. "Readers' Poll: The Best Hair Metal Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 20 June 2012.
  2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Best of 80's Metal, Vol. 2 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  3. Q Special Edition - 1001 Best Songs Ever. EMAP. 2003. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  4. "VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's". Rock on the Net. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  5. "Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart and the 20 other best power ballads". The Daily Telegraph. 18 August 2017.
  6. Hann, Michael (22 April 2015). "David Coverdale: 'I amplify who I am 10 times when I'm on stage'". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  7. Kielty, Martin (10 October 2017). "How Whitesnake Hit No. 1 With a Third Take on 'Here I Go Again'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  8. Wardlaw, Matt (29 September 2017). "Why David Coverdale Couldn't Wait to Remix 'Whitesnake', and What's Next: Exclusive Interview". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  9. "Key and BPM of Whitesnake - Here I Go Again - AudioKeychain". AudioKeychain.
  10. "Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" tops the charts". History. A&E Television Networks. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  11. "The 1987 Album – Happy 30th!". Whitesnake.com. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  12. Wake, Matt (8 July 2020). "20 of the most iconic cars in rock & roll". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  13. Kaufman, Spencer (13 March 2019). "David Coverdale Tells the Story Behind Whitesnake's Iconic "Here I Go Again" Video". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 5 December 2020 – via Yahoo!.
  14. Graff, Gary (14 February 2019). "Whitesnake Busts Out the Iconic White Jaguar for 'Shut Up & Kiss Me' Video: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  15. "Whitesnake - Here I Go Again / Bloody Luxury (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  16. "Whitesnake – Whitesnake". Discogs.com. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  17. "Whitesnake - Here I Go Again (USA Remix) (Vinyl) at Discogs". www.discogs.com. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  18. "Whitesnake Chart History". Billboard.
  19. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  20. "Offiziellecharts.de – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  21. "Ultratop.be – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again (1987)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  22. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  23. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  24. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Whitesnake" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  25. "Charts.nz – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again". Top 40 Singles.
  26. "Whitesnake - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  27. "Offiziellecharts.de – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again [1987"]. GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  28. "Norwegiancharts.com – Whitesnake – Here I Go Again". VG-lista.
  29. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  30. "SINGLE TOP 1OO OVER 1987" (PDF). Top40.nl. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  31. "UK Top 100 Singles & Albums of 1987". Moopy.org.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  32. "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 99 (52). 26 December 1987.
  33. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1987". Cashboxcountdowns.com. 26 December 1987. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  34. "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  35. "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.
  36. "FRASH | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  37. "Mandaryna Here I go again - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
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