What Is Love

"What Is Love"
Single by Haddaway
from the album The Album
B-side "Sing About Love"
Released
  • 8 May 1993 (Europe)
  • August 1993 (US)
Format
Recorded 1992
Genre Eurodance[1][2]
Length 4:29
Label Coconut
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Dee Dee Halligan
  • Junior Torello
Haddaway singles chronology
"What Is Love"
(1993)
"Life"
(1993)

"What Is Love"
(1993)
"Life"
(1993)
Music video
"What Is Love" on YouTube

"What Is Love" is a song recorded by Trinidadian-German Eurodance artist Haddaway for his debut album, The Album. It was written and produced by Dee Dee Halligan (Dieter Lünstedt a.k.a. Tony Hendrik) and Junior Torello (Karin Hartmann-Eisenblätter a.k.a. Karin van Haaren) of Coconut Records in Cologne. The song is recognizable by its refrain "What is love? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me...no more."

"What Is Love" peaked at number two in the United Kingdom and Germany and hit number one in 13 other countries. Debuting at number 87 on 28 August 1993, the song reached number 11 on the Hot 100 in the United States. The song also peaked at number 12 in Australia. By March 1994, worldwide sales of "What Is Love" had already reached 2.6 million.[3]

Music video

The music video of "What Is Love" was directed by Volker Hannwacker.[4]

Formats and track listings

"What Is Love"
CD single / 7"
  1. "What Is Love" – 4:28
  2. "Sing About Love" – 3:12
CD single – United Kingdom
  1. "What Is Love" Radio Edit 7" Mix – 3:57
  2. "What Is Love" Club Mix – 5:00
  3. "What Is Love" 12" Mix – 6:40
  4. "What Is Love" Tour De Trance Mix – 6:00
  5. "What Is Love" Refreshmento Extro Mix – 5:42
CD maxi – France
  1. "What Is Love" (7" mix) – 4:29
  2. "What Is Love" (12" mix) – 6:40
  3. "What Is Love" (club mix) – 5:02
  4. "Sing About Love" – 4:36
"What Is Love" – remix
CD single – France
  1. "What Is Love" (eat-this mix – radio edit) – 4:19
  2. "What Is Love" (refreshmento extro mix) – 3:52
CD maxi
  1. "What Is Love" – remix (eat-this mix) – 6:54
  2. "What Is Love" (tour de trance-mix) – 6:00
  3. "What Is Love" (7" mix) – 4:27
"What Is Love" – reloaded
CD maxi
  1. "What Is Love" – reloaded (video mix) – 3:16
  2. "What Is Love" – reloaded (reloaded mix) – 6:09
  3. "What Is Love" – reloaded (what is club mix) – 6:39
  4. "What Is Love" – reloaded (Jens O.'s hard remix) – 5:32
  5. "What Is Love" – reloaded (Nathan Jolly's NRG remix) – 6:48
  6. "What Is Love" – reloaded (radio edit) – 2:56
  7. "What Is Love" – reloaded (lunaris remix) – 6:21

Charts

Weekly charts

Original version

Chart (1993–1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[5] 12
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 1
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[8] 1
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[9] 2
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 17
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[12] 1
France (SNEP)[13] 1
Germany (Official German Charts)[14] 2
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 1
Italy (FIMI)[16] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[19] 48
Norway (VG-lista)[20] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[21] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[22] 2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] 1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[24] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[25] 11
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[25] 9
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales[25] 6
US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40[25] 15
US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream[25] 4
US Cash Box[26] 9
Chart (2017) Peak
position
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[27] 94

"What Is Love" – Remix

Chart (1993) Peak
position
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 15
Spain (AFYVE)[21] 4

"What Is Love" – Reloaded

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[29] 49
Denmark (Tracklisten)[30] 20
Germany (Media Control Charts)[31] 51
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] 100
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] 92

Other reissues

Chart (2008) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot Digital Songs[25] 68
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Denmark (Tracklisten)[34] 31

Year-end charts

Chart (1993) Position
Australia (ARIA)[35] 78
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[36] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[37] 3
Canada (RPM Top 50 Dance Tracks)[38] 2
Germany (Media Control Charts)[39] 2
Italy (FIMI)[40] 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[41] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[42] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[44] 8
US Billboard Hot 100[45] 82
Chart (1994) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[46] 97

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Gold 35,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[47] Platinum 50,000*
Germany (BVMI)[48] 3× Gold 750,000^
Sweden (GLF)[49] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Gold 400,000^
United States (RIAA)[51] Gold 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Chart successions

Order of precedence
Preceded by
"No Limit" by 2 Unlimited
French number-one single
17 July 1993 – 14 August 1993 (five weeks)
Succeeded by
"Darla dirladada" by GO Culture
Preceded by
"In Your Eyes" by Niamh Kavanagh
Irish Singles Chart number-one single
25 June 1993 – 9 July 1993 (three weeks)
Succeeded by
"What's Up?" by 4 Non Blondes
Preceded by
"All That She Wants" by Ace of Base
Italian number one single
19 June 1993 – 10 July 1993 (four weeks)
Succeeded by
"All That She Wants" by Ace of Base
Belgian Ultratop 50 Flanders number one single
15 May 1993 – 19 June 1993 (six weeks)
Succeeded by
"Ain't Nothing to It" by Def Dames Dope
Belgian VRT Top 30 Flanders number one single (first run)
22 May 1993 (one week)
Succeeded by
"Informer" by Snow
Austrian number one single
9 May 1993 – 4 July 1993 (nine weeks)
Succeeded by
"Mr. Vain" by Culture Beat
Preceded by
"Informer" by Snow
Norwegian number one single
22/1993 – 29/1993 (eight weeks)
Swiss number-one single
13 June 1993 – 11 July 1993 (five weeks)
Belgian VRT Top 30 Flanders number one single (second run)
12 June 1993 (one week)
Succeeded by
"Cose della vita" by Eros Ramazzotti
Preceded by
"Mr. Blue" by René Klijn
Dutch Top 40 number one single
15 May 1993 – 19 June 1993 (six weeks)
Succeeded by
"(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You" by UB40
Single Top 100 number-one single
15 May 1993 – 19 June 1993 (six weeks)
Preceded by
"Tribal Dance" by 2 Unlimited
Eurochart Hot 100 number-one single
12 June 1993 – 24 July 1993 (seven weeks)
Preceded by
"Sad but True" by Metallica
Finnish number-one single
18 March 1993 (two weeks)
Succeeded by
"Onpa kadulla mittaa" by Kolmas Nainen
Preceded by
Five Live by George Michael and Queen with Lisa Stansfield
Spanish number-one single
7 August 1993 (one week)
28 August 1993 – 11 September 1993 (three weeks)
Succeeded by
Five Live by George Michael and Queen with Lisa Stansfield
"Life" by Haddaway

Cover versions and sampling

Klaas version

"Klaas meets Haddaway – What Is Love 2K9"
Single by Klaas
Released 2009
Label Mostiko
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Klaas
Music video
"What is Love 2K9" on YouTube

In 2009, German DJ Klaas remixed the song under the title "Klaas meets Haddaway – What Is Love 2K9". This remix charted in several European countries.

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[60] 37
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[61] 41
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[62] 9
France (SNEP)[63] 5
Germany (Official German Charts)[64] 60
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[65] 49

Lost Frequencies version

"What Is Love 2016"
Single by Lost Frequencies
from the album Less Is More
Released 2016
Length 2:52
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lost Frequencies singles chronology
"Beautiful Life"
(2016)
"What Is Love 2016"
(2016)

"Beautiful Life"
(2016)
"What Is Love 2016"
(2016)
Music video
"What Is Love 2016" on YouTube

In 2016, Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies released a cover titled "What Is Love 2016", as a single from his debut album Less Is More.[66] It was actually already produced back in 2014 as a remix for Jaymes Young's cover version of "What is Love". This version was remade for the album and became a hit on a number of European singles charts and topped the Belgian Ultratop Official Singles Chart.

Music video

An official music video was released directed by Soulvizion. It features the Dutch professional basketball player Don Rigters[67] who plays the role of David Rose, a basketball player who is severely injured trying to make a comeback to the game with encouragement from his girlfriend, (played by Melissa Kanza), his three teammates, (Alkenah Wansing, Jeroen Jansen and Lindy Chippendel) and by his basketball coach (played by J E Rigters).

Track listing

  1. "What Is Love 2016" – 2:52
  1. What Is Love 2016" (Regi & Lester Williams Remix) – 4:21
  1. "What Is Love 2016" (Regi & Lester Williams Remix) – 3:08
  2. "What Is Love 2016 (Regi & Lester Williams Extended Remix) – 4:10
  1. "What Is Love 2016" (Mike Mago Remix) – 3:29
  2. "What Is Love 2016" (Zonderling Remix) – 3:11
  3. "What Is Love 2016" (Galactic Marvl Remix) – 2:54
  4. "What Is Love 2016" (Rose Remix) – 3:08
  5. "What Is Love 2016" (Mike Mago Extended Remix) – 5:49
  6. "What Is Love 2016" (Zonderling Extended Remix) – 4:27
  7. "What Is Love 2016" (Rose Extended Remix) – 4:08

Weekly charts

Chart (2016–2017) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[68] 20
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[69] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[70] 12
France (SNEP)[71] 92
Germany (Official German Charts)[72] 24
Germany (Airplay Chart)[73] 2
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[74] 40
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[75] 73
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[76] 29
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[77] 38
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[78] 99
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[79] 52

Year-end charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[80] 41

The song experienced a revival as the song from the Saturday Night Live "Roxbury Guys" sketches (later expanded into a movie called A Night at the Roxbury), where two brothers (played by Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell) frequently went to dance clubs with a third person (including actors such as Sylvester Stallone and Jim Carrey), credited as "Barhop". It was also used in the 2013 video game Saints Row IV.[81] This is one of the tracks in Just Dance 2017

The song is featured prominently in the eleventh episode ("Life of Brian") of the television series My So-Called Life which originally aired on ABC television on November 10, 1994. A considerable portion of the song is played at a school dance in which Rickie Vasquez (Wilson Cruz) and Delia Fisher (Senta Moses) dance while various other characters look on.

References

  1. Raberg, Leif (9 February 2008). "First Full dress rehearsals in Gothenburg are over". Esctoday.com. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 Weiss, Jeff (22 June 2010). "Review: 2 1/2 stars for Eminem's 'Recovery'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 1 June 2014. Haddaway's "What Is Love," the Eurodance ballad mocked in the "Saturday Night Live" skits and spinoff movie.
  3. Weinert, Ellie (26 March 1994). "Casebook: Haddawa". Billboard. 106 (13): 58. ISSN 0006-2510.
  4. "What Is Love (1993) by Haddaway". IMVD.com. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  5. "Australian-charts.com – Haddaway – What Is Love". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  6. "Austriancharts.at – Haddaway – What Is Love" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  7. "Ultratop.be – Haddaway – What Is Love" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  8. "Radio 2 Top 30 : 12 juni 1993" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  9. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2222." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2291." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  11. "Hits of the World". Billboard: 37. 10 July 1993. ISSN 0006-2510.
  12. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  13. "Lescharts.com – Haddaway – What Is Love" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  14. "Offiziellecharts.de – Haddaway – What Is Love". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  15. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – What Is Love". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  16. "SINGOLI – I NUMERI UNO (1959-2006) (parte 4: 1990-1996)" (in Italian). It-charts.150m.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  17. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Haddaway - What Is Love search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  18. "Dutchcharts.nl – Haddaway – What Is Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  19. "Charts.org.nz – Haddaway – What Is Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  20. "Norwegiancharts.com – Haddaway – What Is Love". VG-lista. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  21. 1 2 Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  22. "Swedishcharts.com – Haddaway – What Is Love". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  23. "Swisscharts.com – Haddaway – What Is Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  24. "Archive Chart: 1993-07-03" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Haddaway – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  26. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending OCTOBER 30, 1993". Archived from the original on 10 October 2012.. Cash Box magazine.
  27. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  28. "Swisscharts.com – Haddaway – What Is Love - Remix". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  29. "Austriancharts.at – Haddaway – What Is Love - Reloaded" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  30. "Danishcharts.com – Haddaway – What Is Love - Reloaded". Tracklisten. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  31. (in German) "Single – Haddaway, What Is Love – Reloaded". Archived from the original on 25 October 2014.. Officialcharts.de. GfK Entertainment.
  32. "dutchcharts.nl – Haddaway – What Is Love – Reloaded" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  33. "Haddaway – What Is Love – Reloaded – hitparade.ch" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  34. "Danishcharts.com – Haddaway – What Is Love". Tracklisten. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  35. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  36. "Jahreshitparade 1993" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  37. "Jaaroverzichten 1993" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  38. "Dance/Urban – Volume 58, No. 23, December 18, 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  39. (in German) "Jahrescharts – 1993". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.. Officialcharts.de. GfK Entertainment.
  40. "I singoli più venduti del 1993" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  41. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  42. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  43. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1993" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  44. Warwick, Neil; Kutner, Jon; Brown, Tony (2004). The Complete Book of the British Charts: Singles and Albums (3rd ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-8444-9058-5.
  45. "Top 100 Hits for 1993". The Longbored Surfer. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  46. "Top 100 Hits for 1994". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  47. "Austrian single certifications – Haddaway – What Is Love" (in German). IFPI Austria. Enter Haddaway in the field Interpret. Enter What Is Love in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen
  48. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Haddaway; 'What Is Love')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  49. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
  50. "British single certifications – Haddaway – What Is Love". British Phonographic Industry. Enter What Is Love in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
  51. "American single certifications – Haddaway – What Is Love". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  52. Price, Simon (2 September 2007). "Interpol/The Gossip, Reading Festival". The Independent. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  53. "Diane Birch In Concert". NPR. 26 June 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  54. "Diane Birch covers Haddaway’s "What Is Love?"". Loft965.com. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  55. "Diane Birch De-Clubs "What Is Love"". Billboard. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  56. "Sharaya @ Bamboo Mamaia – 16 iulie 2010 – HD video 5a". YouTube. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  57. "EMD cover Haddaway’s ‘What Is Love’!". Scandipop. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  58. "Foolstop – What Is Love (Haddaway Rock Cover)". YouTube. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  59. Daw, Robbie (23 April 2014). "Kiesza Covers Haddaway’s "What Is Love": Watch The Video For Her Rendition Of The '90s Classic". Idolator. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  60. "Austriancharts.at – Klaas meets Haddaway – What Is Love 2K9" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  61. "Ultratop.be – Klaas meets Haddaway – What Is Love 2K9" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  62. "Ultratop.be – Klaas meets Haddaway – What Is Love 2K9" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  63. "Lescharts.com – Klaas meets Haddaway – What Is Love 2K9" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  64. "Offiziellecharts.de – Klaas meets Haddaway – What Is Love 2K9". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  65. "Swedishcharts.com – Klaas meets Haddaway – What Is Love 2K9". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  66. Op de Beeck, Hans (7 October 2016). "Wordt ook vierde single Lost Frequencies schot in de roos? "Als het te slap is, dan is het gewoon te slap"". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  67. "Lost Frequencies – What Is Love 2016". Social Música Musica. October 7, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  68. "Austriancharts.at – Lost Frequencies – What Is Love 2016" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  69. "Ultratop.be – Lost Frequencies – What Is Love 2016" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  70. "Ultratop.be – Lost Frequencies – What Is Love 2016" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  71. "Lescharts.com – Lost Frequencies – What Is Love 2016" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  72. "Offiziellecharts.de – Lost Frequencies – What Is Love 2016". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  73. "Airplay Charts Deutschland – Woche 51/2016" (in German). German Charts. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  74. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  75. "Dutchcharts.nl – Lost Frequencies – What Is Love 2016" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  76. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  77. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201650 into search. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  78. "Swedishcharts.com – Lost Frequencies – What Is Love 2016". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  79. "Swisscharts.com – Lost Frequencies – What Is Love 2016". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  80. "Jaaroverzichten 2016" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  81. Pitcher, Jenna (6 August 2013). "Saints Row 4 tracklist revealed, features 109 tracks". Polygon. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.