About the song
“What’s Love Got to Do with It” is a song that has become synonymous with the iconic voice and unbridled energy of Tina Turner. Released in 1984, this hit single was the lead track from her album “Private Dancer,” and it marked a major comeback for the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten, the song’s catchy melody and memorable lyrics have made it a staple of popular music, with its themes of love, independence, and empowerment resonating with audiences around the world.
The song’s origins date back to 1982, when Lyle and Britten were approached by Tina Turner’s manager, Roger Davies, to write a song for her comeback album. The duo was tasked with creating a track that would showcase Turner’s powerful vocals and capture the essence of her unique style. After several attempts, they came up with “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” a song that would go on to become one of Turner’s signature hits.
The song’s lyrics are a masterclass in storytelling, with Turner delivering a scathing critique of a toxic relationship. With her signature growl and swagger, she sings about a love that’s gone sour, with the chorus repeating the question “What’s love got to do with it?” The song’s message is one of liberation and self-empowerment, with Turner asserting her independence and refusing to be tied down by a love that’s no longer serving her.
Musically, “What’s Love Got to Do with It” is a fusion of rock, pop, and R&B, with Turner’s powerful vocals soaring above a driving beat and a memorable guitar riff. The song’s production is sleek and polished, with a nod to the classic rock sound of the 1960s and 1970s. The result is a song that’s both timeless and timely, with its themes of love, independence, and empowerment continuing to resonate with audiences today.
In conclusion, “What’s Love Got to Do with It” is a song that has become an integral part of popular music history, with its themes of love, independence, and empowerment continuing to inspire and uplift audiences around the world. With its catchy melody, memorable lyrics, and Tina Turner’s iconic vocals, this song is a must-listen for anyone who loves rock ‘n’ roll, pop, or R&B.
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Lyrics
You must understand, though the touch of your hand makes my pulse react
That it’s only the thrill of boy meeting girl, opposites attract
It’s physical
Only logical
You must try to ignore that it means more than that
Oh-oh-oh, what’s love got to do, got to do with it?
What’s love, but a second-hand emotion?
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
It may seem to you that I’m acting confused when you’re close to me
If I tend to look dazed, I read it some place, I got cause to be
There’s a name for it
There’s a phrase that fits
But whatever the reason, you do it for me
Oh-oh-oh, what’s love got to do, got to do with it?
What’s love, but a second-hand emotion?
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
Who?
I’ve been taking on a new direction
But I have to say
I’ve been thinking about my own protection
It scares me to feel this way
Oh-oh-oh, what’s love got to do, got to do with it?
What’s love, but a second-hand emotion?
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
got to do, got to do with it?
What’s love, but a sweet old-fashioned notion?
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
ooh, got to do with it?
(What’s love? A second-hand emotion)
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
(What’s love) ooh-ooh (got to do with it?) got to do with it?