Whitesnake - Is This Love 12" Maxi-Single Vinyl

“Is This Love” wasn’t just another power ballad—it was Whitesnake’s velvet-gloved knockout punch in 1987. A song so smooth it could slip past your defenses before the solo hit. Coverdale croons like a man who’s both winning and losing at love, while the guitars shimmer with studio polish instead of barroom grit. This 12-inch maxi-single stretched that heartache to its full cinematic scope—backed by the ghost of the blues, the muscle of the '80s, and just enough gloss to blind the purists.

 

High Resolution Photos of whitesnake is this love maxi-single

Album Description:

Whitesnake and the World of 1987

In 1987, rock stood at a crossroads between the molten intensity of heavy metal and the shimmering polish of pop accessibility. The world was witnessing the twilight of the Cold War, the rise of MTV-driven spectacle, and an age when image mattered as much as sound. Amidst this, Whitesnake — fronted by the ever-charismatic David Coverdale — released “Is This Love,” a single that distilled the decade’s fusion of vulnerability and grandeur into four and a half minutes of radio gold. The song emerged during a period when the band, like many of its peers, was reshaping its identity to fit a world enamored with big choruses, glossy production, and heart-on-sleeve sentiment.

The Sound of the Era: Hard Rock Meets the Power Ballad

“Is This Love” sits at the sweet intersection of hard rock and the power ballad — a genre hybrid that dominated the charts in the mid-to-late 1980s. This was the age of Def Leppard’s “Hysteria,” Bon Jovi’s “Slippery When Wet,” and Europe’s “The Final Countdown.” The formula was irresistible: soaring vocals, emotive guitar lines, and studio perfectionism. Whitesnake’s contribution added a blues undertone, rooted in Coverdale’s early influences with Deep Purple, but wrapped in the sleek production sheen that came with the era’s studio advancements.

Musical Exploration and Emotional Contradiction

“Is This Love” is less about pyrotechnics and more about tone — the kind of lush, slow-burning melody that thrives on emotional tension. Beneath the radio polish lies a well of longing and introspection. John Sykes’ guitar work balances restraint and release, while Coverdale’s voice alternates between silk and steel. Producer Mike Stone’s crisp engineering and Keith Olsen’s refined mix allowed every instrument to breathe, emphasizing warmth over aggression. The result was a love song dressed in leather — intimate yet theatrical, fragile yet defiant.

The Makers Behind the Magic

David Coverdale and John Sykes penned the track, continuing their creative collaboration from Whitesnake’s self-titled 1987 album. Keith Olsen, whose production credits include Fleetwood Mac and Heart, joined forces with Mike Stone — known for his precision rock craftsmanship — to deliver a sound that could conquer both radio and arena. Martin Birch, the veteran who had shaped the sonic identity of Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, and earlier Whitesnake releases, produced the B-side tracks “Standing in the Shadows” and “Need Your Love So Bad.” Birch’s approach kept the band anchored in authenticity while Olsen and Stone propelled it into a sleeker, modern dimension. The balance between these production philosophies is what gives the single its enduring power.

Band Evolution and Line-Up Shifts

Whitesnake had undergone multiple incarnations by 1987. Originally formed in 1978 by David Coverdale after leaving Deep Purple, the band began as a blues-rock outfit with earthy grooves and Hammond organ warmth. Over time, as the 1980s dawned, the lineup evolved — sometimes tumultuously — with members like Micky Moody, Bernie Marsden, and later John Sykes shaping its changing sound. By the mid-’80s, Coverdale had streamlined the band toward a harder-edged, more Americanized sound, positioning Whitesnake alongside Def Leppard and Foreigner on global stages. The “Is This Love” single symbolized that transition — emotional depth meeting commercial clarity.

Controversy and Transformation

While adored by fans, “Is This Love” also drew criticism from purists who saw it as the moment Whitesnake surrendered its blues soul to MTV gloss. The video — drenched in soft focus and starring Coverdale’s then-partner Tawny Kitaen — became an emblem of the era’s glam excess. Critics accused the band of overproduction and self-indulgence, but audiences saw something else: a band capable of both power and passion. The controversy only amplified its success, propelling the song to the top of international charts and embedding it into the DNA of 1980s rock culture.

The Legacy of Sound and Sentiment

“Is This Love” remains one of Whitesnake’s most defining moments — a paradox of vulnerability wrapped in steel-string confidence. It exemplified an era when the studio became both laboratory and stage, when rock embraced its theatrical instincts without apology. While other bands faded with the decade, Whitesnake’s single endured — not merely as a product of its time, but as a crystallization of its contradictions: soft meets hard, love meets bravado, and heart meets amplifier.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

Hard Rock / Blues Rock (American)

A signature blend of late-1980s hard rock infused with blues-inspired melody and emotional vocal performance. The production style reflects the polished arena-rock sound that defined the era of big hooks and even bigger hair.

Collector Notes / Liner Notes
  • 1: The track "Is This Love" became one of Whitesnake’s most iconic power ballads, representing the band’s transition from blues-heavy rock to a more mainstream melodic hard rock style.
  • 2: The sleeve design and photography exemplify EMI’s late-1980s production aesthetic — minimalist layouts, stark contrast, and refined typography.
Label & Catalognr:

EMI Records Ltd – 12EMI 5606

Album Packaging

Standard glossy sleeve printed in Holland by EMI Services Benelux B.V., Uden.

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Maxi-Single

Year & Country:

1987 – Netherlands

Producers:
  • Mike Stone – Producer for Mike Stone Enterprises
    Mike Stone was a renowned British record producer and engineer who shaped the sound of 1970s and 1980s rock. Known for his work with Queen, Asia, Journey, and Whitesnake, he balanced power with clarity in every mix. His production touch defined arena rock’s golden era. Learn more on Mike Stone’s biography page.
  • Keith Olsen – Producer for Pogologo Productions on behalf of Whitesnake Overseas Productions Ltd.
    Renowned American record producer whose signature sheen gave Whitesnake’s singles a radio-ready punch and transatlantic appeal.
  • Martin Birch – Producer (Tracks 1 & 2 on Side B)
    Martin Birch: The man behind the soundboard, shaping iconic rock and metal anthems. His journey from sound engineer to legendary producer is a testament to passion and innovation. Read on his career
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Keith Olsen – Remix Engineer
    Provided remixes for Side B tracks, enhancing clarity and balance for the 1987 maxi-single release.
Recording Location:

Recorded and mixed for Whitesnake Overseas Productions Ltd.

Mixing Studio & Location:

EMI Services Benelux, Uden – Netherlands

Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • The Cream Group – Sleeve Design
    Created the minimalist black-and-white design emphasizing typography and layout over imagery, fitting the late-80s EMI design aesthetic.
Photography:
  • Neal Preston – Photographer
    Renowned rock photographer known for capturing the grandeur and intimacy of iconic rock acts throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One (A):
  1. Is This Love
    Written by David Coverdale & John Sykes. Produced by Mike Stone and Keith Olsen. Released as a single.
Video: Whitesnake - Is This Love (Official Music Video)
Tracklisting Side Two (B):
  1. Standing in the Shadows (1987)
    Written by David Coverdale. Produced by Martin Birch and remixed by Keith Olsen.
  2. Need Your Love So Bad (1987) Cover
    Cover of Little Willie John’s original classic blues ballad. Produced by Martin Birch and remixed by Keith Olsen.
Video: Whitesnake - Need Your Love So Bad (1987 version)

Disclaimer: Track durations are not printed on this edition. This Dutch EMI 12" maxi-single includes both re-recorded and remixed 1987 versions of Side B tracks.

Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Whitesnake’s 12-inch Maxi-Single 'Is This Love', featuring David Coverdale framed within a gold border over a stormy black marble background with streaks of electric blue. The band name 'Whitesnake' appears in large white gothic-style lettering at the top, while the title 'Is This Love' rests at the bottom in soft blue serif type. Coverdale’s intense stare, long blond hair, and studded leather vest capture both vulnerability and power, embodying the emotional duality that defines the song.

The cover of Whitesnake’s 12-inch Maxi-Single “Is This Love” radiates 1980s hard rock allure and emotional drama. At its center, vocalist David Coverdale gazes directly at the viewer, framed by a gold ornamental border that contrasts against a dark, marble-textured background shot through with lightning-like veins of blue and white. His blond, feathered hair, sculpted shoulders, and studded black leather vest project both confidence and sensuality.

The typography balances elegance and power: Whitesnake appears across the top in bold white gothic-style lettering, while the title “Is This Love” glows below in a softer, icy-blue serif font. Together, they suggest both strength and yearning — the essence of the song itself. The composition reflects EMI’s late-1980s design sensibility, where glossy visuals met emotional immediacy, capturing the era’s fascination with rock glamour and romantic intensity.

The overall effect is cinematic and intimate, evoking the tension between rock bravado and heartfelt vulnerability. It is not merely an album cover but a portrait of transformation — of a band refining its image for global stardom while keeping one foot rooted in the smoky, blues-soaked origins that first defined its sound.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Whitesnake’s 12-inch Maxi-Single 'Is This Love', featuring a dramatic live photo of David Coverdale mid-performance under intense blue stage lighting. The left panel lists track information for both sides of the record, production credits, and design acknowledgments. The overall layout contrasts dark negative space with the luminous, kinetic energy of Coverdale’s pose, his hand gripping the microphone stand as his hair catches the backlight, symbolizing the raw charisma that defined Whitesnake’s late-1980s aesthetic.

The back cover of Whitesnake’s 12-inch Maxi-Single “Is This Love” captures the theatrical essence of late-1980s rock. A powerful photograph of David Coverdale, taken by Neal Preston, dominates the right side: he’s caught mid-performance, microphone in hand, with his golden hair illuminated by a sharp blue-white backlight that carves his silhouette from the surrounding darkness. The metallic shimmer of his leather outfit and studded belt amplifies the era’s glam-rock visual flair.

On the left, the design adopts a minimalist structure: white text against black, listing the full track sequence — “Is This Love” on Side A, and the re-recorded “Standing in the Shadows (1987)” and “Need Your Love So Bad (1987)” on Side B. The credits name Mike Stone, Keith Olsen, and Martin Birch as producers, reflecting a rare convergence of three major studio forces of the decade.

Below, EMI’s legal and distribution details note pressing in Holland by EMI Services Benelux B.V., with French distribution via EMI Pathé Marconi S.A. The visual dialogue between precision typography and explosive live imagery mirrors the band’s duality — part studio refinement, part untamed stage energy — encapsulating Whitesnake’s global rise in the late ’80s rock pantheon.

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Close-up of Record Label
Close-up of the Side One record label of Whitesnake’s 12-inch Maxi-Single 'Is This Love', pressed by EMI in 1987. The label features a soft cream background with clean black typography. At the top, the iconic Whitesnake logo is printed in bold gothic lettering, while below it the title 'Is This Love' is credited to Coverdale and Sykes. Production details for Mike Stone and Keith Olsen are printed in the lower half, alongside EMI’s red rectangular logo at the bottom. The outer rim contains fine circular text stating copyright and manufacturing rights, characteristic of 1980s European pressings.

This close-up of the record label for Whitesnake’s “Is This Love” 12-inch Maxi-Single showcases a quintessential EMI design from the late 1980s. The cream-toned surface provides a neutral backdrop for sharply printed black text, achieving clarity and elegance. The Whitesnake logo crowns the top, its stylized gothic type contrasting with the minimal production text below.

The track information lists “Is This Love” (Coverdale/Sykes) with a runtime of 4:41, produced by Mike Stone for Mike Stone Enterprises and Keith Olsen for Pogologo Productions on behalf of Whitesnake Overseas Productions Ltd. The 45 RPM and stereo indicators are clearly marked, accompanied by performance rights logos from GEMA and STEMRA.

Along the outer edge, the fine legal text encircles the label, stating manufacturing and copyright control under EMI Records Ltd. The red EMI logo anchors the bottom, providing a visual counterpoint to the circular layout and affirming the label’s identity as a hallmark of precision European vinyl craftsmanship.

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