In the nineties, the dance track What Is Love sounded on all dance floors. Even when everyone was tired of him for a long time, at every disco there were visitors who begged the DJ to play a song performed by Nestor Alexander Haddaway (Nestor Alexander Haddaway)
Surely you, too, have had a chance to dance to this song, in which the groovy melody is strangely combined with sad words about broken love.
The story of the creation of the song What Is Love
The song was written by composer/producer Tony Hendrik, also known as Dee Dee Halligan, and Junior Torello.
The authors chose a performer for a long time and settled on Haddaway. Tony heard the singer recording demos in the basement of the Coconut studio.
The colorful native of Trinidad managed to study at George Washington University, play American football professionally, sing in cover bands and even try himself as a carpet seller. At that time, he worked as a dancer and choreographer, and composed songs in his spare time.
Haddaway later recounted:
As soon as I heard the music, it became clear to me that it would be popular for a long time. I am grateful that it happened, made me happy, and that I still want to perform it.
Flavorwire, 2015
According to Haddaway, work on the track was not delayed:
We just took ideas that were fresh at the time and tried to do something that no one else was doing… The song came really fast. In about forty-five minutes I came up with the idea for the melody, and it took a day and a half to complete the structure of the song.
The National, 2012
The meaning of the song What is Love by Haddaway
What Is Love About? It is performed on behalf of a hopelessly in love guy who was abandoned by a girl. He tries to pity her and begs her to return.
Haddaway shared his opinion on the meaning of the composition:
People ask me all the time what I mean… I wanted to say that everyone should decide for himself what love is. She is individual and unique. I believe that it should be directly related to trust, honesty and loyalty.
Flavowire, 2015
Release and achievements
In Europe, What Is Love was released as a single in May 1993, and in the US the song was released in August. It topped the charts in thirteen countries and peaked at number two in Germany and the UK. The track peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100.
Six months after the release, the single became “gold”, and by the spring of 1994 it had sold more than two and a half million copies.
In the late nineties, he sounded in the Roxbury Guys parody sketches, in which many famous comedians starred. In 1998, A Night at the Roxbury was released with What Is Love on the soundtrack. This caused a new wave of interest in the song.
Video of What Is Love by Haddaway
The music video was directed by German director Volker Hannwacker. In the video, the singer performs the song in an old castle. He is accompanied by half-naked dancers dressed in the style of vampires.
Cover versions
What Is Love was performed by The Gossip, Diane Birch, Sharaya J, EMD and other musicians.
In 2014, Canadian singer Kiesza sang What Is Love in a ballad style. She explained what prompted her to change the genre:
I have always loved this song. I noticed that it evokes pleasant feelings, makes you get up and dance, but then I listened to the words and thought: “Wait a minute, this song is so depressing. She is so sad. How could I not notice? There’s an aspect to the song that no one gets into. So I decided that I needed to put aside everything superfluous and let the story of the song be told.
Next is the video clip of What Is Love – Keisza.
Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies recorded a cover called What Is Love 2016 and shot a video clip for it about a basketball player who is recovering from a serious injury with the support of his girlfriend and friends.
Interesting Facts
- Eminem and Lil Wayne sampled What Is Love on the single No Love from Eminem’s Recovery album.
What Is Love Lyrics by Haddaway
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me
Don’t hurt me
No more
Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me
No more
What is love?
I don’t know why you’re not fair
I give you my love, but you don’t care
So what is right and what is wrong?
Gimme a sign
chorus:
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me
Don’t hurt me
No more
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me
Don’t hurt me
No more
Oh, I don’t know, what can I do?
What else can I say, it’s up to you
I know we’re one, just me and you
I can’t go on
Chorus
What is love?
What is love?
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me
Don’t hurt me
No more
Don’t hurt me
Don’t hurt me
I want no other, no other lover
This is our life, our time
We are together I need you forever
Is it love?
Chorus x2
Baby don’t hurt me
Don’t hurt me
No more
Baby don’t hurt me
Don’t hurt me
No more
What is love?
Lyrics of What Is Love by Haddaway Alternate
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me
Do not hurt me
More.
Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me
More.
What is love?
I don’t know why you’re not being honest.
I give you my love, but you don’t care.
So what is right and what is wrong?
Give me a sign.
Chorus:
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me
Do not hurt me
More.
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me
Do not hurt me
More.
Oh, I don’t know what to do.
What else can I say, it’s all about you.
I know you are the only one. Just me and you.
I can not take it anymore.
Chorus
What is love?
What is love?
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me
Do not hurt me
More.
Do not hurt me,
Do not hurt me.
I don’t need a friend, another lover.
This is our life, our time.
We are together, I need you forever.
This is Love?
Chorus – 2 times
Baby don’t hurt me
Do not hurt me,
More.
Baby don’t hurt me
Do not hurt me,
More.
What is love?
Song quote
Try to sit still for a few seconds after this major introduction sounds.
Gavin Report
