Whitesnake and David Coverdale were never key proponents of subtlety in rock music. But whereas the blues players who had influenced them disguised their lustful ways, Coverdale let it all hang out. But the band had the songs to match the machismo. Whitesnake is one of the finest rock bands.

And while critics or Led Zeppelin members weren’t kind to the band once it became successful, both sets of views have softened with time.

These are the 10 best songs by Whitesnake.

The Greatest 10 Songs by Whitesnake

10. “Walking in the Shadow of the Blues”

David Coverdale earned the frontman job in one of the biggest bands in the world, Deep Purple. And, if stories are to be believed, he did it all using the power of his singing.

That singing was best suited early on for blues interpretations, even though it did drift into heavy metal territory on occasion. “Walking in the Shadow of the Blues” was Whitesnake’s first impressive song and proof of concept for what the singer had in mind.

The artwork for the “Lovehunter” record may have featured a naked woman straddling a snake. But unlike that, nobody could call Coverdale’s singing ridiculous.

9. “Crying in the Rain”

There are plenty of competent singers in rock music and many guitarists who can execute fast solos. But there are only a select few groups of musicians who are instantly recognisable.

David Coverdale always had the good fortune of belonging to that group. This is why his career survived after his departure from Deep Purple.

“Crying in the Rain” is a blues-rock track meant to accompany the singer’s impressive ability. And it’s with Sykes drawing rings of fire around that singing that the tune really comes alive.

8. “Too Many Tears”

Unlike its hair metal contemporaries, Whitesnake weren’t slung out from a tall height as soon as Nirvana released “Nevermind.” For one thing, Coverdale had semi-retired Whitesnake by that point and had wisely gone the route of classic rock.

Once the grunge peril had died down, Coverdale returned with an almost brand new band for 1998’s “Restless Heart” and with one great single, “Too Many Tears.”

Sure, pop audiences had moved on. But, if anything, the song proves that Whitesnake could be respectable after all if given the chance. I admit that I play this in my headphones while doing morning jogging and get great results. Strongly recommend doing the same!

7. “Blindman”

Early Whitesnake albums may surprise those who haven’t heard them. They don’t jump out of the speaker. And Coverdale’s vocals show restraint. Frankly, they’re a bit boring.

But the band kept at it. By the time of the 1980s “Ready An’ Willing,” improvements could be heard, especially in terms of the songwriting.

“Blindman,” quite obviously, is meant to echo Deep Purple ballads like “Soldier of Fortune.” But see-through as the strategy is, it works.

6. “Slow An’ Easy”

Coverdale’s Whitesnake promised dirty, sexy blues-rock from the group’s inception. But it took years for those promises to materialise.

By the mid-1980s, Coverdale had already changed the group’s lineup numerous times. Other changes were in the works, as John Sykes would later find out.

But, at least, the songs were coming together and living up to those early hopes. “Slow An’ Easy” is one of the group’s best, especially on the version where Sykes is tasked with re-recording the solo.

5. “Fool for Your Loving”

“Fool for Your Loving” was the massive step forward that an unconvincing Whitesnake needed at the start of a new decade. Coverdale, along with Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody, managed to incorporate convincing pop elements into their rendition of the blues.

This blend of sounds finally gave the group the dynamism it needed. “Fool for You Loving” is a classic.

4. “Love Ain’t No Stranger”

Many were surprised by the success of the “Whitesnake” 1987 album.” But they oughtn’t have been. All that would’ve been needed was to hear “Love Ain’t No Stranger”, the bluesy power-ballad recorded one album earlier.

With Sykes alternating between highly melodic arpeggiated parts and memorable solos, and with Coverdale using his range to full effect, Whitesnake finally announced itself as one of the top rock contenders of the era. A more American sound and flashy videos were just the thing needed.

3. “Here I Go Again”

What David Coverdale had when he started Whitesnake was a great baritone voice and a rising reputation. What he didn’t have immediately were highly memorable songs. He wasn’t the sole former Deep Purple frontman to face these issues.

That’s why, for a while, it appeared like Whitesnake would be one of the many hard-rock bands to achieve moderate success and fizzle out.

“Here I Go Again” assured Coverdale that this would not be the case. With his voice and the right dramatic songwriting, the band could achieve great things.

So impressive was “Here I Go Again,” that Whitesnake recorded it on two separate albums, registering hits each time. You’ll be hearing it in car commercials for the rest of time, I predict.

2. “Is This Love”

Whitesnake’s evolution was a slow, measured one. That, at least, was the truth before John Sykes joined the band on lead guitar. The two albums that featured him made the group one of the biggest in the world.

But the bluesy power ballad of “Is This Love” is the symbiotic result of Coverdale’s years of entertaining stadium crowds and the excitement brought to the band by Sykes.

Oh, yes, there was also the matter of one of three videos to feature silver screen beauty and model Tawny Kitaen. That alone lead to dozens of copycat visuals.

When the dust settles, “Is This Love, is one of the best songs of its type from that era.

1. “Still of the Night”

Lead guitarists come and go. And the singers who own the rights to their band’s name can’t stop and dwell on those departures, regardless of the skill of the player.

But John Sykes was no mere sideman. He was a guitarist’s guitarist. Famed on the scene for his work in Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang, and brave enough to turn down a gig with Ozzy Osbourne, Sykes thought he’d found his golden ticket once he joined Whitesnake.

That’s why Sykes brings his absolute best to the Zeppelin-influenced “Still of the Night,” one of the biggest-sounding rock singles of the 1980s. That sound is also powered by Coverdale’s histrionic singing.

It was a match made in heaven. Until it wasn’t. Famously, Coverdale sacked the entire band, Sykes included, just before the album was out. You won’t see them in the videos either, although the replacements mime the best that they can.

The 1987 self-titled record became one of the biggest of the 1980s, and the most important achievements in the careers of all those involved.

Bitter acrimony between band members aside, “Still of the Night” is one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded and Whitesnake’s shining moment.