What About Love
Encyclopedia
"What About Love" is a song recorded by the rock band Heart
, and released in June 1985. The band's "comeback" single, it was the first Heart track to reach the top 40 in three years, and their first top 10 hit in five. It was released as the first single from the band's self-titled 1985 album, Heart
, as well as their first hit single on their new record label, Capitol Records
.
, of which songwriters Sheron Alton and Brian Allen were members. (The other songwriter, Jim Vallance
, was not a member of Toronto, though he played drums on Toronto's recording of the song.) However, Toronto elected not to release their version, upsetting Alton and Allen. They subsequently left the band and the song was offered to Heart who turned it into a worldwide hit. Toronto's original version appears as a bonus cut on the CD Toronto: The Greatest Hits.
Grace Slick
and Mickey Thomas
, co-lead vocalists of Starship at the time, provide additional background vocals on the song.
and returned Heart to the Top-10 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
for the first time in five years, peaking at #10.
The song peaked at #14 on the UK Singles Chart
upon its re-release in 1988. Exclusively in its UK release, "What About Love" was also featured in an extended version on 12" and CD single versions.
The song's chorus was featured in a series of Swiffer WetJet
TV commercials from late 2010 into the following year. The campaign followed a series of previous Swiffer commercials using popular songs of the '70s and '80s.
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
, and released in June 1985. The band's "comeback" single, it was the first Heart track to reach the top 40 in three years, and their first top 10 hit in five. It was released as the first single from the band's self-titled 1985 album, Heart
Heart (Heart album)
Heart is the self-titled eighth studio album, but ninth album overall, released by Heart. Released in 1985, the album completed the band's transition into a pop group, a genre that yielded the band its greatest success by far, marking the band's Capitol Records debut, and it spent 92 weeks on the...
, as well as their first hit single on their new record label, Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
.
Background
The song was originally recorded in 1982 by Canadian rock group TorontoToronto (band)
Toronto was a Canadian rock band from the late seventies and early eighties who have been compared to Heart and Pat Benatar. They were formed in the late 1970s in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when singer Annie "Holly" Woods met guitarist Brian Allen...
, of which songwriters Sheron Alton and Brian Allen were members. (The other songwriter, Jim Vallance
Jim Vallance
James Douglas "Jim" Vallance, OC is a retired Canadian musician, songwriter, arranger and producer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is best known as the former songwriting partner of Canadian international recording artist Bryan Adams...
, was not a member of Toronto, though he played drums on Toronto's recording of the song.) However, Toronto elected not to release their version, upsetting Alton and Allen. They subsequently left the band and the song was offered to Heart who turned it into a worldwide hit. Toronto's original version appears as a bonus cut on the CD Toronto: The Greatest Hits.
Grace Slick
Grace Slick
Grace Slick is an American singer and songwriter, who was one of the lead singers of the rock groups The Great Society, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Starship, and was a solo artist, for nearly three decades, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s...
and Mickey Thomas
Mickey Thomas
John Michael Thomas aka Mickey Thomas is an American singer.-Early career:Thomas was inspired to pursue a career in music after travelling to Atlanta with long time childhood friends Charles Connell and Tommy Verran to see a Beatles performance in 1965. Thomas, Connell, and Verran wound up in...
, co-lead vocalists of Starship at the time, provide additional background vocals on the song.
Reception
The song's sound marked a considerable change in the musical direction for Heart, moving from the hard rock and folk rock of their earlier work to a more polished, power-ballad sound. "What About Love" received extensive airplay on MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
and returned Heart to the Top-10 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
for the first time in five years, peaking at #10.
The song peaked at #14 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
upon its re-release in 1988. Exclusively in its UK release, "What About Love" was also featured in an extended version on 12" and CD single versions.
The song's chorus was featured in a series of Swiffer WetJet
Swiffer
Swiffer is a line of cleaning products by Procter and Gamble. Introduced in 1999, the brand uses the "razor-and-blades business model"; in this case, the consumer purchases the handle assembly at a low price, but must continue to purchase replacement refills and pads over the life of the product...
TV commercials from late 2010 into the following year. The campaign followed a series of previous Swiffer commercials using popular songs of the '70s and '80s.
Original release
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 28 |
| Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart | 3 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 8 |
| German Singles Chart | 43 |
| Polish Singles Chart | 26 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 10 |
| U.S. Billboard Maintstream Rock Chart | 3 |
1988
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 14 |
2008
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Hot Digital Singles Chart | 37 |
Cover versions
- On the compilation album of the 2006 season of American IdolAmerican Idol Season 5: EncoresAmerican Idol Season 5: Encores is compilation album released on May 23, 2006 and contains one cover song from each of the top 12 finalists during season 5 of the television show American Idol...
, the song was performed by finalist Melissa McGhee. Janell Wheeler performed the song in Season 9American Idol (season 9)The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all returned as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres permanently replaced Paula Abdul as the fourth judge. Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was...
of the series. - Rick RossRick Ross (rapper)William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
samples "What About Love" in his song "Shot to the Heart." - Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
samples "What About Love" in his song "Something You Forgot." - On the TV show Pussycat Dolls Present: GirliciousPussycat Dolls Present: GirliciousThe Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious is the second and final season of Pussycat Dolls Present:, in which young aspiring female singers/dancers compete in order to claim their spots to become the group "Girlicious"...
, finalist Chrystina performs this song in the series finale which eventually leads to her making the final group. - Rytmus samples "What About Love" in his song "Na Toto Som Cakal."
- Soprano singer Jackie EvanchoJackie EvanchoJacqueline Marie "Jackie" Evancho is an American child singer described as a classical crossover artist. After entering some talent competitions, issuing an independent album, Prelude to a Dream, and attracting interest on YouTube, she gained wider popularity in 2010 with her performances in the...
made a cover of her song on her self-titled album: The Other Songs Collection.