Lightsnake? “Shut Up and Kiss Me”

Today's post is from our friend HIM.
 
Hmmmm . . .

Let's start with the fun stuff. Liked the humorous nods to past videos and glories. Also liked, though it is becoming a bit formulaic these days, the more inclusive nod to fans of all ages and types. Nice to see yourself in a video, right? But you wonder: is this the new, inclusive, version of Whitesnake? Is this “Still of the Night” with a dose of “Hands across America” and a side of “We are the World,” visually-speaking? It seems out of sync with even the most recent live performances. Coverdale isn’t flinging third-wave feminism essays into the audience. He is still trying, and I mean trying, to act the rogue. So the message is a bit mixed when you reflect on things a bit.
 
Let’s go just a bit deeper. This really is just a continuation of the sound that ‘Snake has been mining since around the time of “Kittens Got Claws” on Slip of the Tongue (1989). Mind you, the kitten didn’t have (as in, “has got”) claws, per se or punctuationally-speaking. So this is just keeping the pace with a trend that some fans love and some fans don’t. Personally? I am still a fan of the older stuff, even pre-Slide It In. But that’s just me (not thats just me). If you are going to dig in well-tilled fields, then dig, baby! When you got the blues, even as an affectation, best you go with it. Everything post-Slip made me sorta’ blush . . . a deeper shade of purple (to borrow and butcher).
 
I also notice some interesting wrinkles. No, that isn’t an age joke. You can hear a decidedly Night-Ranger-ish shift in guitar sound. I am (I repeat, ad nauseam) no musician. But that certainly seems to be the case. And why wouldn’t it be? Hoekstra did admirable service in said band for five-plus years. Not a bad thing at all.
 
But I also found the overall sound very, very sterile. The choruses sounded big but thin. It sounded like all the parts were recorded in different rooms and then shoveled through a computer, spit-polished with digital sandpaper, and reassembled from the bit and bytes after pushing the button that say “mix this to sound like a rock n’ roll song.” I fear I am approaching some sort of “analog” argument while shooing young people off my lawn . . . but I couldn’t muster the specifics to make that case stick. It is also the case that the song might sound much better upon official release, in either the standard or video-mix versions (the latter available as a bonus track).
 
I guess what I am saying is this: it ain’t bad. I wasn’t expecting much at this point in Lord Coverdale of Tahoe’s career. So that is faint praise for a recorded song. And that is the best way for me to judge Whitesnake these days.  Otherwise, I really get ornery.

Comments

[GNR]

Nothing wrong with a touch of sleaze... why can we be nostalgic on most things except sexuality as defined by the time we grew up ? Can't you still pine for what you find "sexy" no matter your age ? Might be slightly off topic from the original post, but that what I think when I watch the video.

[Jeff]

This is really good. Will be a day 1 buyer for sure. This song would have fit in rather neatly within Slip of the Tongue

[Bkallday]

Not the worst thing I've heard from them. About what I would expect, actually. A lil bubble gum-ish as usual but you know that going in. Some good ax work by Beach & Hoekstra on this one. They've always been one of my guilty pleasures and Coverdale is a legendary hard rock vocalist imho. They're also one of the last remaining bands on my bucket list to see live but I hope to mark that off asap! Slide it in babyyyyy 🤘🏼

[Him]

I actually agree with you, GNR. I just think the message is a bit mixed when you assess 'Snake in toto. And there are, of course, limits to the idea of "Can't you still pine for what you find 'sexy' no matter your age?" I am not St. Thomas Aquinas. But the thought and the act do cause problems as you start climbing over the hill. Or perhaps I misunderstood you. Bottom line: I traffic in nostalgia. It's what gets me through the day. But, yes, I live in the here and now. And that requires some adjustments and realizations. Just saying.

I agree with you, Jeff. Certainly in keeping with the 'Slip' sound. And I am in your corner too, Bkallday. Never saw them live. A shame really. Just not sure I want to go see them these days. That said, with some good friends and a bit of perspective, I bet I would have a great time.

Also, slight edit: the line should have read "But that’s just me (not thats just me)." It makes more sense that way, given that I was goofing around. My error; not Allyson's.

[Metalboy!]

Good song that coulda been great with better production, as you point out.

For those who have Whitesnake on your bucket list, let’s remember Coverdale, unfortunately can’t sing his way out of a paper bag live, having lost his voice over a decade ago.

The video is fairly clever but coulda been better. Woulda been funnier if he had walked out at the end and seen the lipstick kisses plastered all over the windows and acted pissed off.

Instead we get a four motorcycle escort aerial shot as he drives into the sunset, which is also quite funny, especially when you consider the reality of him not needing any real security.
anymore.

The other problem is not all the MILFS in the video are all that hot. And what’s with the metrosexual with the glasses nearly ruining the video?

Can’t believe Coverdale didn’t have him wind up on the cutting room floor as nerds with glasses in music videos are generally buzz killers unless it’s Waldo in Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher”.

p.s. They should have a contest for who can film a performance on the smallest stage. I think that video of Ripper Owens’ new band Allyson posted a few back still has this beat by a half a foot!

[Shawn]

I thought the video was a nice attempt at bringing David's best years into his farewell years. But fell sort. Guitars are killing it (as BK Mentioned) which leads me to believe the band is good to see live and hoping Dave uses some backing tracks LOL

[Bob]

My beef with this song is my beef with most songs these days, the production is very very digital. otherwise, it's a perfectly listenable throwback to 80s sleaze. I had the good fortune to catch Whitesnake live on the Slip of the Tongue tour on a double bill with Bad English. Between Schon, Vandenberg and Campbell, there was quite a bit of guitar gunslinging that night.