"Lovehunter" is the second studio album by British band Whitesnake, released on September 21, 1979. This album marked a significant milestone for the band, becoming their first UK Top 30 album, charting at No. 29 on the UK Albums Chart.
The lead track, "Long Way from Home," reached No. 55 on the UK charts, while "Walking in the Shadow of the Blues" gained popularity and acclaim as one of Whitesnake's standout early songs. The album's cover art also sparked controversy, contributing to its notoriety at the time.
Lovehunter was recorded at Clearwell Castle and produced by Martin Birch, continuing the collaborative relationship from their previous albums. This album marked the last appearance of drummer Dave Dowle, who would be replaced by Ian Paice from Deep Purple.
Guitarist Bernie Marsden noted that the band had a dynamic creative process, with members often engaging in "good, healthy, positive" arguments that ultimately strengthened their sound and contributed to the success of future albums like Ready An' Willing (1980) and Come an' Get It (1981).
Both Marsden and lead singer David Coverdale regarded "Walking in the Shadow of the Blues" as one of their best compositions. Coverdale expressed pride in the song, highlighting how it encapsulated his musical perspective at the time. Eduardo Rivadavia from AllMusic praised it for its "near-perfect songwriting" and Coverdale's mature and compelling lyrics, further cementing the track's significance in the band's repertoire.
