What makes Is This Love by Whitesnake notable?

'Is This Love' reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking one of Whitesnake's most commercially successful singles. The track gained critical acclaim and has been recognized as a quintessential power ballad of its era, influencing countless artists within the rock genre. Released on June 1, 1987, 'Is This Love' came during Whitesnake's commercial peak, following their self-titled album which had already established them as hard rock icons. The song helped solidify their status in the glam metal scene of the late '80s, showcasing David Coverdale's vocal prowess amidst a backdrop of melodic instrumentation.

How many songs are on Is This Love?

Is This Love has 3 tracks, running approximately 13 minutes.

Is This Love

Whitesnake · 1987

13 min · 3 tracks · hard rock

A sultry ballad steeped in bluesy riffs and powerful vocals, underscoring the emotional turmoil of love.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Is This Love — This title track encapsulates the essence of the album with its heartfelt lyrics and sweeping melodies that resonate with themes of love and vulnerability.
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Bad Boys — With an energetic beat and catchy chorus, 'Bad Boys' contrasts sharply with the emotional weight of other tracks, showcasing the band's versatility in blending hard rock with softer elements.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong melodies but lacks depth in cohesion due to its limited tracklist.

What we noticed

The single features a prominent power ballad structure, with a slow build-up leading to a soaring chorus.
The first track repeats the title phrase multiple times, emphasizing its central theme.
The second track, 'Bad Boys', shifts to a faster tempo and introduces a more aggressive guitar riff.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — The song solidified Whitesnake's reputation during their commercial peak.
Themes: sultry ballads· glam metal romance· emotional turmoil of love
Career context: Released on June 1, 1987, 'Is This Love' came during Whitesnake's commercial peak, following their self-titled album which had already established them as hard rock icons. The song helped solidify their status in the glam metal scene of the late '80s, showcasing David Coverdale's vocal prowess amidst a backdrop of melodic instrumentation.
Stylistic neighbors: Def Leppard· Dokken· Scorpions