What About Love by Heart

Album: Heart (1985)

Charted: 14 10

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This was Heart's first single under their new contract with Capitol Records. It marked a turnaround for the band, which after a triumphant run of hits in the '70s got off to a rough start in the '80s with a decline in sales and little airplay for their new material on radio or MTV. Capitol, determined to return them to commercial glory, paired them with a new producer, Ron Nevison, and had them record songs written by outside songwriters. "What About Love" is one of these outside tracks - it was written by Brian Allen and Sheron Alton of the Canadian band Toronto, along with Jim Vallance, who co-wrote many of Bryan Adams' hits. The song was written for Toronto but they didn't record it. The demo found its way to Heart, which turned it into their first Top 10 US hit since their cover of "Tell It Like It Is" in 1980. Their next two singles did even better: "Never" hit #4 and "These Dreams" went to #1.
In this song, Ann Wilson addresses a guy who is not returning her affections. Trying to get through to him, she warns him that he better open his heart and accept her love, because he might need it someday.
Ann Wilson's vocal is much more dynamic on this track compared with previous Heart material. The verses are very restrained, but then she explodes into the chorus. She attributes this to producer Ron Nevison, who coached her to hold back her big voice at times to create more impact when she let it loose.
The video was directed by David Mallet, who was known for avante-garde videos like David Bowie's "Ashes To Ashes" and Queen's "Radio Ga Ga." In "What About Love," the band is in some kind of foundry, wearing lots of leather and lace. It was the first Heart video to get significant airplay on MTV.
This was the first Heart song to chart in the UK, where it reached #14.
Heart's singles are split between rock classics from the '70s ("Barracuda," "Straight On") and lite favorites from the '80s like "What About Love." Their legacy is pegged to their '70s output when they disrupted the male-dominated world of rock with an uprising of classic songs mostly written by the Wilson sisters, who were the clear leaders of the band. When they entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, it was with that '70s lineup.

Comments: 3

Kenny from Dallas, TexasWhile their record company, Capitol Records, did tend to release power ballads as singles, most of Heart's music during that period was hard rock and metal, and many songs that were not released as singles got significant airplay on hard rock and metal stations. Some examples are album tracks such as "If Looks Could Kill", "The Wolf", "Shell Shock", the title cut from "Bad Animals", "Wild Child", "The Night, "Tall, Dark, Handsome Stranger", and "Black on Black II". Even the singles that were released such as "What About Love" and "Alone" had heavy guitar power chords. Over the years many have argued that Capitol Records was trying to market Heart as pop band instead of a serious rock band, and their choice of singles would support that argument.
El Burro ( Stubborn Mule ) from Middle Class Usa Awesome song, “the big lady” is one of the best singers ever. Yeah no one can touch Ann’s voice.

I like the first lyrics she says with no music
“I been lonely
I been waiting for you
I’m pretending and that’s all I can do
The love I’m sending ain’t making it thru to your heart.”

There is someone who would tell me that. She would talk to me like that ; she would tell me the f--king truth. That’s why I liked her, that’s why I fell for her.

Things went south after several years but I still think about her all the time. When I hear this song it reminds me of her.

She was ready for the whole 9 yards and everything that goes in. I wasn’t. That’s life.

I see the first 30 seconds of this video and I think - yeah she would talk to me like that.

She told me one time “I’ve kept your heart and your heart is safe with me. I don’t possess your soul because your soul runs free.”

No one has ever talked to me like that.
She is one of a kind.
Broncobuff from SeattleLast 60 seconds of this song proves what I've been saying for years: Ann Wilson is the best (hard) rock singer ever. Ever. Yes, she's a chick, just go listen to the last 60 seconds, then you can argue. Notice the self harmonies, two and three tracks, and brace yourself for the key change, cuz it's like a runaway freight train, the power. (Personally I think Bono and Ann are tied for best singer ever, but this is a Heart song).

see more comments

More Songfacts:

HypnotizeThe Notorious B.I.G.

What #1 hit is built on a sample of another #1 hit? "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G., which gets its groove from "Rise," a chart-topper for Herb Alpert in 1979.

God Only KnowsThe Beach Boys

The most famous song to prominently feature a French horn is "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys.

Billie JeanMichael Jackson

Quincy Jones wanted to change the title of "Billie Jean" to "Not My Lover" so it wouldn't be confused with the tennis star Billie Jean King. Michael Jackson refused.

Take Me Out To The BallgameNora Bayes

The guys who wrote "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" had never been to a baseball game but knew it was a good song topic.

Love ShackThe B-52s

A pre-famous Rupaul is in the video for "Love Shack" by The B-52s. He had a solo hit with "Supermodel" a few years later.

The Right ProfileThe Clash

After a devastating car accident, the actor Montgomery Clift had to be filmed from "The Right Profile" to look good - that provided the name of The Clash song.