ABOUT THE SONG
Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It: A Powerful Anthem of Strength, Soul, and Self-Discovery
Some songs don’t just define a moment in music—they define a moment in life. Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It is one of those rare recordings that reaches beyond the charts and enters the realm of personal reflection and cultural legacy. Released in 1984, this timeless track marked a major turning point in Tina Turner’s remarkable career, solidifying her triumphant comeback and introducing her unforgettable voice to a new generation of listeners.
At its heart, Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It is more than just a pop song. It’s a statement. It speaks of resilience, independence, and the sometimes complicated emotions that come with love and relationships. Wrapped in a smooth, mid-tempo groove with a soft touch of synthesizers and subtle guitar licks, the song contrasts a mellow sound with a powerful underlying message. Tina’s performance is confident, knowing, and deeply human—she sings not just with vocal strength, but with emotional clarity.
Her voice, rich with life experience, gives weight to every line. When she asks, “What’s love but a second-hand emotion?”, it doesn’t come across as bitter—it feels wise. There’s a sense of self-assurance in her delivery, as if she’s lived through storms and come out stronger, clearer, and more in control of her destiny. That’s part of what made the song resonate with so many, especially listeners who had faced their own challenges and were learning, like Tina, to stand tall in their truth.
Musically, the track was a perfect fit for the mid-80s, yet it never feels dated. Its elegant production, penned by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, gives it staying power. The blend of pop, soul, and a touch of rock allowed it to reach across genres and generations. And of course, it earned Turner a Grammy Award for Record of the Year, along with global chart success—a well-deserved recognition for an artist who had worked tirelessly to reclaim her voice and vision.
Today, Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It remains a shining example of how music can empower and uplift. It’s not just about moving on from heartbreak—it’s about rediscovering your strength and refusing to be defined by your past. Whether you remember where you were when you first heard it or are hearing it now with fresh ears, the song still carries the same truth: sometimes, the greatest love story is the one you write for yourself.