"Here I Go Again" is a song by British rock bandWhitesnake. 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 BillboardHot 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.
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".
Composition
The song is composed in the key of G major and a tempo of 91 BPM.
Music video
The music video for the re-recorded version was directed by Marty Callner. 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
The re-recorded version that appears on the Whitesnake album with John Sykes on guitar
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
In 1987, EMI released a limited Collectors Poster Edition 'USA Single Remix' 7" vinyl , the B-side of which consists of an engraved signature version, and the sleeve of which unfolds into a poster of the band.
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.
In 2004, a dance/pop version of "Here I Go Again" was recorded by Polish dancer and singer Mandaryna. 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.
