Whitesnake | Spotify

About the Song

In the realm of hard rock and heavy metal, there are power ballads that stand the test of time, becoming anthems for generations of listeners. “Is This Love” by Whitesnake is one such ballad, a timeless classic that has captivated audiences since its release in 1987.

The song opens with a slow, melancholic piano riff, setting the stage for David Coverdale’s soulful vocals. Coverdale’s voice, at once powerful and emotive, conveys the raw emotions of love, loss, and longing that are at the heart of the song.

The lyrics of “Is This Love” are simple yet profound, exploring the complexities of love and relationships. The song’s narrator questions whether the love they share with their partner is real or fleeting, capturing the universal fear of heartbreak and the desire for true connection.

As the song progresses, the instrumentation builds, adding layers of guitar, drums, and keyboards that create a powerful crescendo. John Sykes’s soaring guitar solo is a particular highlight, adding a touch of rock and roll grit to the otherwise ballad-esque track.

Despite its heavy rock leanings, “Is This Love” never loses sight of its emotional core. The song’s power lies in its ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level, speaking to the universal experiences of love, loss, and the search for meaning in relationships.

“Is This Love” is more than just a rock song; it’s an emotional journey that has resonated with listeners for over three decades. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the song’s power to connect with people on a profound level, making it a true classic of hard rock and beyond.

Key takeaways:

  • “Is This Love” is a timeless power ballad by Whitesnake that has captivated audiences for over three decades.

  • The song’s melancholic piano riff, soulful vocals, and emotive lyrics explore the complexities of love and relationships.

  • The song’s instrumentation builds to a powerful crescendo, featuring a soaring guitar solo by John Sykes.

  • “Is This Love” is a classic rock anthem that has resonated with listeners for generations due to its ability to connect with people on an emotional level.

Whitesnake - Whitesnake Lyrics and Tracklist | Genius

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Lyrics: Is This Love

I should have known better
Than to let you go alone,
It’s times like these
I can’t make it on my own
Wasted days, and sleepless nights
And I can’t wait to see you again

I find I spend my time
Waiting on your call,
How can I tell you, baby
My back’s against the wall
I need you by my side
To tell me it’s alright,
‘Cos I don’t think I can take anymore

Is this love that I’m feeling,
Is this the love, that I’ve been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming,
This must be love,
‘Cos it’s really got a hold on me,
A hold on me…

I can’t stop the feeling
I’ve been this way before
But, with you I’ve found the key
To open any door
I can feel my love for you
Growing stronger day by day,
An’ I can’t wait to see you again
So I can hold you in my arms

Is this love that I’m feeling,
Is this the love, that I’ve been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming,
This must be love,
‘Cos it’s really got a hold on me,
A hold on me…

Is this love that I’m feeling,
Is this the love, that I’ve been searching for…
Is this love or am I dreaming,
Is this the love, that I’ve been searching for…

You Missed

For Vince Gill, the memory of singing with Dolly Parton came down to their final note together at the 1995 CMA Awards. Thirty-one years later, on the day she died, he shared that performance again. “We are all crushed here at our house,” he wrote. He called the closing note of their duet one of the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard. Their recording of “I Will Always Love You” began with Dolly’s album *Something Special*. That summer, she revisited three of her classics, including the farewell she had written for Porter Wagoner in 1973. It had already topped the country chart twice in her own voice, and Whitney Houston’s 1992 recording had brought it to listeners worldwide. For this version, Dolly invited Vince to join her. They performed it on the Grand Ole Opry on August 26, 1995, during a TNN broadcast. Radio programmers began playing the duet before Columbia officially issued it as a single. That unsolicited airplay carried it onto Billboard’s country chart at No. 53. On October 4, they sang it again at the CMA Awards. Vince, then 38, was hosting the broadcast at the Grand Ole Opry House. He stepped away from those duties to sing beside the woman who had written the song when he was sixteen. As the performance ended, their voices met on one sustained note. Decades later, that was the moment he singled out. Released as a single that November, the duet reached No. 15, received a Grammy nomination and won the 1996 CMA award for Vocal Event of the Year. But Vince’s remembrance centered on what he had heard standing beside her. Dolly died in Nashville on August 25, 2026, at 80, after a brief battle with cancer. Two days later, Vince appeared at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City. He told the audience how deeply his family was hurting, then began “I Will Always Love You.” This time, he sang it alone. Fan footage captured him struggling with his emotions throughout the performance. When he stepped back to compose himself, people in the audience carried the words. Musicians behind him wiped their eyes. He reached the closing note without Dolly’s voice beside his. After finishing, he moved away from the microphone, placed a hand over his chest and lowered his head.