Whitesnake - Here I Go Again (cover)

The Great Rock And Roll Cult Hit Song. Mandatory for every nostalgia show, every 80's playlist. David Coverdale's very 80's rock song has burned itself into the collective remembrance, for better or worse.

I have to confess it to you here, dear Reader, I have never been a huge Whitesnake fan. Back in the early days, when I just started to get into rock and metal, Coverdale and his band were inavoidable with their songs "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love". Strangely though, they couldn't really grab my attention, for my taste these songs were too syrupy even then. While I keep in my mind the impact Coverdale had and still has on rock music (let's just remember his performance in Deep Purple's "Burn"), Whitesnake has always been in the lower territories of my favorite bands' list, and after a while they completely get erased from it.

With this - slightly biased and not necessarily on a positive way - attitude I took the courage to give a listen to Cygnus's version for this song. At that point I have already known the band well, I was sure that they would make at least a very fine version for this song (that grew a bit corny during all these years, if I may be honest to you, dear Reader), so I had no doubts at all that I would get quality music that is - knowing these wonderful musicians - may be much better than the original one.

I was right. Very very much!

The intro is already much stronger in Reny's hands, but then Ruxx appears and his voice sweeps you off your feet right there. You're only 13 seconds into the song and you already know you're experiencing something extraordinary and beautiful.

I confess, dear Reader, when I heard this version for the first time, with Ruxx's trademark rusty, smoke-soaked voice, I was not only swept off, but the truth is, Coverdale got to be forgotten right there as well, at that very moment. 

I admit to you, dear Reader, and feel free to express your opinion about it; but Coverdale's voice has never made a deep impression on me. Not a bad voice, but not a distinctive one. Perfect for songs like "Here I Go Again" or "Is This Love" but not a flexible one with a too broad range or a special flavor

like e.g. the voices of these wonderful Colombians each

and probably this was one of the reasons why eventually Whitesnake hasn't made it among my most favorite bands ever.

But Ruxx is singing, his voice is full of fire, slowly turning from quiet humming into his well-known, sharp, powerful tenor we all love, while Reny is playing the song's well-known keyboard theme. 

Allow me to roast Mr. Coverdale ahead, dear Reader and forgive me for this; of course it's just my opinion, but Ruxx here, in this first section of the song has already made more legatos and has much more character in his voice than Sr. Whitesnake has ever had throughout his career.

Deneb joins him for the chorus and here at this point a miracle happens.

Not just because these two amazing, beautiful voices flow together, Ruxx's fiery, energetic vocals side by side with Deneb's mellow, rich and flavorful baritone, but also because here all instruments appear with might, power and rawness. Blu's guitar leaves this so typical - and for my ears slightly cringy - 80's sound behind, it's more raw than a freshly netted carp on the fish market. The bass hits you in the stomach, the drums are demanding respect. The entire song gets a huge load of intensity with these seemingly small, but very important - and creative - changes. The wave of spirit you get right into your face, dear Reader, fills your veins with fresh blood

and you just watch these two wonderful Colombians as they sing and you can't believe how you could live without them until now

and for the last two lines of the chorus Ruxx doesn't hold the force in his throat back. 

The second stanza continues with the energy of the much more manly-sounding guitar, the strong, always-so-reliable bass and Ruxx's defiant, rugged vocals. And you catch yourself falling in love with this song. You have forgotten long ago the not too characteristic, overly melodic original song that - for your ears - lacked toughness and passion, that was sung by a singer who was fit for the job in the late 80's but for a while he's been a bit, well, outdated. You watch these musicians as they play with dedication and devotion, their contagious joy, the ease they play their instruments with (which is the clear sign of their professionality) and you're happy. 

And then the chorus returns with Deneb and Ruxx.

Two so different voices, still in such a harmony, completing each other beautifully. You can't help.

You fall in love.

You want them in your life. You want these passionate, full-of-life, full-of-joy, playful but still sharp, mellow but still dynamic voices. You want them, to bring life to your everydays, to make you believe that not all is lost, that there is real, tangible beauty in this world, you just have to find it and appreciate it. You want to grab it all and hold it close to your heart.

Here I need to note that I'm not sure if the original song contained the Hammond organ sound. Nevertheless here, in this cover it's beautifully supporting the vocals of Ruxx and Deneb with its robust sound. A wonderful idea!

The pre-solo part is a smaller catharsis - Reny improvises and it gives an extra spice to the already sweeping cover! -, Ruxx flashes one of his famous screams

dear Mr. Whitesnake, this Colombian drummer-singer has put you into his pocket

take it as a compliment

and then Blu plays the solo with his usual elegance and precision.

The chorus returns and you realize that every beat of the drum turns into your heartbeat. The bass pumps the blood into your veins, the guitar breaths life into you. The keyboard caresses your tired nerves and these two wonderful men, dear Reader, they are your life and soul. Not only you want to listen to this song over and over again, on loop, but you want it to get under your skin. That it may be with you always, even when you can't or don't listen to it. And you slowly start to believe again in miracles.

Yes, these men can to this, too.

Enjoy!