Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Whitesnake was on top of the world in 1987. The self-titled album sold over 8 million copies, launched massive MTV hits like “Here I Go Again,” “Still of the Night,” and “Is This Love,” and turned David Coverdale into one of the biggest stars of the hair metal era.
But just two years later, Slip of the Tongue arrived... and something had changed.
In this video, we review the 1989 Whitesnake album Slip of the Tongue and break down why it failed to match the magic, chemistry, and success of the 1987 album. We discuss the departure of guitarist/songwriter John Sykes, the arrival of Steve Vai, the changing sound of the band, sales decline, and whether David Coverdale made the biggest mistake of Whitesnake’s career.
Did Slip of the Tongue deserve the backlash? Or has the album been unfairly judged for decades?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
#Whitesnake #SlipOfTheTongue #HairMetal #DavidCoverdale #JohnSykes #SteveVai #80sMetal #GlamMetal #ClassicRock #TheHairMetalGuru
Please Like, Subscribe, & HYPE!! Thank you!!
Feel free to donate (or NOT!) to my PayPal: anthony.a.bryant@hotmail.com
Follow me on X!
https://x.com/HairMetalGuru
The Hair Metal Guru on Instagram:
instagram.com/thehairmetalguru
Buy some of your favorite hard rock releases at FNA Records!
fnarecords.net
Support Stevie Rachelle and Metal Sludge:
metalsludge.tv
I host Hair Metal Mansion on Rock 101 KLOL every Saturday night from 6-8pm Central Time... you can listen here!
getmeradio.com/stations/rock101klol-4751/?station_id=4751
Whitesnake was on top of the world in 1987. The self-titled album sold over 8 million copies, launched massive MTV hits like “Here I Go Again,” “Still of the Night,” and “Is This Love,” and turned David Coverdale into one of the biggest stars of the hair metal era.
But just two years later, Slip of the Tongue arrived... and something had changed.
In this video, we review the 1989 Whitesnake album Slip of the Tongue and break down why it failed to match the magic, chemistry, and success of the 1987 album. We discuss the departure of guitarist/songwriter John Sykes, the arrival of Steve Vai, the changing sound of the band, sales decline, and whether David Coverdale made the biggest mistake of Whitesnake’s career.
Did Slip of the Tongue deserve the backlash? Or has the album been unfairly judged for decades?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
#Whitesnake #SlipOfTheTongue #HairMetal #DavidCoverdale #JohnSykes #SteveVai #80sMetal #GlamMetal #ClassicRock #TheHairMetalGuru
Please Like, Subscribe, & HYPE!! Thank you!!
Feel free to donate (or NOT!) to my PayPal: anthony.a.bryant@hotmail.com
Follow me on X!
https://x.com/HairMetalGuru
The Hair Metal Guru on Instagram:
instagram.com/thehairmetalguru
Buy some of your favorite hard rock releases at FNA Records!
fnarecords.net
Support Stevie Rachelle and Metal Sludge:
metalsludge.tv
I host Hair Metal Mansion on Rock 101 KLOL every Saturday night from 6-8pm Central Time... you can listen here!
getmeradio.com/stations/rock101klol-4751/?station_id=4751
