About the song
Few songs in pop history carry the same level of empowerment, reinvention, and sheer vocal brilliance as Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Released in 1984 as part of her career-defining album “Private Dancer,” this song not only became one of her biggest hits but also served as a powerful symbol of her triumphant comeback.
At its heart, “What’s Love Got to Do with It” is a song about love, detachment, and emotional self-preservation. The lyrics tell the story of a woman who refuses to be swept away by romance, dismissing love as nothing more than “a second-hand emotion.” There’s an undeniable strength in Turner’s delivery—she embodies a woman who has been through heartache and has emerged wiser, unwilling to surrender to the illusions of love again. Given Turner’s own tumultuous personal history, it’s impossible to separate the song’s meaning from her real-life struggles, making her performance all the more powerful.
Musically, the song blends elements of pop, rock, and R&B, with a polished, radio-friendly production that was unmistakably 1980s. The synth-driven arrangement, laid-back groove, and subtle reggae influences gave it a modern yet timeless feel. It wasn’t an over-the-top power ballad but rather a song that simmered with quiet intensity, letting Turner’s raspy, soulful voice take center stage. That voice—full of grit, defiance, and raw emotion—elevated “What’s Love Got to Do with It” beyond just another pop song.
The impact of the song was monumental. It became Tina Turner’s first and only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, making her, at age 44, the oldest female solo artist to top the chart at the time. It won three Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, cementing Turner’s status as a music icon. Beyond its commercial success, the song became an anthem for independence and self-empowerment, embraced by generations of listeners who saw themselves in Turner’s resilience.
Today, “What’s Love Got to Do with It” remains one of the most celebrated songs of the 1980s, a defining track of Tina Turner’s legendary career, and an enduring symbol of strength, survival, and artistic rebirth. Whether you hear it as a breakup anthem, a statement of defiance, or simply an incredible piece of pop craftsmanship, its impact is undeniable.
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Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You must understand, oh, the touch of your hand
Makes my pulse react
That it’s only the thrill of boy meetin’ girl
Opposites attract[Pre-Chorus 1]
It’s physical
Only logical
You must try to ignore that it means more than that
Oh[Chorus]
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?[Verse 2]
It may seem to you that I’m acting confused
When you’re close to me
If I tend to look dazed, I’ve read it someplace
I’ve got cause to be[Pre-Chorus 2]
There’s a name for it
There’s a phrase that fits
But whatever the reason, you do it for me
Oh[Chorus]
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?
Ooh[Instrumental Interlude]
[Bridge]
I’ve been takin’ 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[Chorus]
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?
(What’s love?) 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?[Outro]
(What’s love got to do?) Ooh, 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?
(What’s love?) Ooh, ooh
(Got to do with it) Got to do with it
(What’s love?) But a second-hand emotion