Burning The Ground Exclusive
💿 “What Is Love” – The Song That Defined a Generation of Dance Floors (and Head Bobs) 💿
Today’s Pride Month spotlight takes us to the high-energy pulse of the early ‘90s club scene with a track that needs no introduction — Haddaway’s “What Is Love.” Released in 1993, this Eurodance anthem quickly became a worldwide smash, going Top 10 in more than 30 countries and peaking at #11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #2 in the UK. But more than that, it became a movement.
The song’s urgent cry — “What is love? Baby don’t hurt me, no more…” — is still echoing in clubs, memes, and pop culture, forever immortalized by that unforgettable Night at the Roxbury head-bobbing sketch on Saturday Night Live (and later, the film).
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, “What Is Love” was much more than just a dancefloor filler — it was an anthem of questioning, vulnerability, and defiance. The pulsing synths, soaring vocals, and hypnotic rhythm invited bodies and hearts to move freely, express openly, and love boldly. Whether you were in a club in Berlin, a pride float in São Paulo, or a college dorm in Ohio, you felt this song.
🪩 As we celebrate Pride Month, this track reminds us of the freedom found in movement, in music, and in unapologetic self-love. So whether you’re dancing solo, with friends, or just head-bobbing in your car — this one’s for you.
🏳️🌈✨ Love is love. And love is loud.
SIDE A:
What Is Love (12″ Mix) 6:41
SIDE B:
What Is Love (Refreshmento Extro Mix) 5:30
Producer [Additional], Remix – The Rapino Brothers
What Is Love (Refreshmento Extro Instrumental) 5:31
Producer [Additional], Remix – The Rapino Brothers
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993/94 | What Is Love | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #11 |
| 1993/94 | What Is Love | U.S. Billboard Dance Music / Club Play | #9 |
| 1993/94 | What Is Love | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales | #6 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Arista – 07822-12574-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: Jan 18, 1993
Genre: Electronic
Style: Euro House
CREDITS:
- Art Direction – Thomas Sassenbach
- Design – Ariola
- Engineer – Gary Jones
- Photography By – Alfred Särchinger
- Producer – Halligan*, Torello*
- Written-By – Dee Dee Halligan, Junior Torello
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Alas, I missed this one before Paul took it down (was away from home at the time).
This track always stuck with me, outside of the SNL skit, not only due to Haddaway’s performance of it, but also his duet with Howard Jones on his own “What Is Love” on Music Scoupe in the 90s. That was an amazing moment.
Damn, I wish that were on YouTube, but I can’t find it. 🙁
Anyhow, I hope this gets a reup in time. I’d love to hear that trademark 24-bit DJPaulT rip quality one day!
Why is the 24 bit FLAC no longer available after five days? 🙁
Hi Paul!
I haven’t had a chance but I just wanted to wish you a Happy Pride!! Thank you for all that you do! You shine a light in my life and of so many others. You have literally built a community, which is amazing. Thank you!
Tim
Hi Tim!
Thank you so much — that truly means a lot to me. Wishing you a very Happy Pride as well! 🌈 I’m incredibly grateful for this community and the joy, stories, and love we all share through the music. It’s been such a gift connecting with people like you. Here’s to dancing, celebrating, and being exactly who we are. 💖
Big hugs,
Paul
Iconic song. Spawned one of the funniest SNL skits featuring Jim Carrey’s rubber face and neck. Movie was a bomb.
Thanks! This is one of those rare dance songs that shines far better in its original 7″ and 12″ mixes form than any “remix” that was released. The “Eat-This-Mix” on my CD5 feels like a blatant rip-off of The KLF’s songs and vibe. Anyway, thanks for bubbling up this classic! I played this seemingly for YEARS at the clubs! 🙂
Absolutely agree! The original 7″ and 12″ mixes of this track have such a clean, driving energy that just works — no bells and whistles needed. Totally with you on the “Eat-This-Mix”… definitely has that trying-too-hard KLF vibe. Nothing quite beats the original pulse of this one on a packed dancefloor. So glad it brought back those club memories — thanks for sharing, and for spinning it all those years! 😊
These are remixes, do you have a copy of the original version?
I still have the cd single that I purchased back in 1993. I haven’t played it for a while and I don’t think i ever bothered to rip it either.
These transfers have definitely reignited my reason for buying it back then.
Thanks Paul 🙂
That’s awesome! Isn’t it wild how a fresh transfer can spark that original excitement all over again? So glad this brought your CD single off the shelf and back into the spotlight—it really is one of those tracks that hasn’t lost an ounce of its punch. Thanks so much for listening and for the kind words!
Thank you for leaving the file in WAV, the quality is much better than in FLAC.
You’re welcome; however, that was a mistake on my part.
Yes, I was wonder why it was in WAV and not Flac as normal.
There is NO difference in quality if you change a WAV into a FLAC. FLAC is data compression not audio compression. That is the whole point of a lossless codec Mazer.
Unapologetic self love…
Yes! That’s exactly the heart of it — bold, infectious, and dripping with unapologetic self-love. The kind of track that dares you to feel good, move your body, and own who you are without hesitation. A perfect Pride anthem in every way! 💖🌈
Hot Dog, Paul!! What a fabulous track to start off the week! Gosh, you make me flashback to the 90’s and the wonderful dance records that the decade had. Music was different during this time. I loved the 1980’s, but really couldn’t get used to the music, like grunge, and dirge-like rock that was experienced in the 1990’s. Now, please know there were exceptions, but it was the dance records that brightened my spirits. This track was extraordinary, for listening and dancing. I do remember the old remix service, Discotheque, had a cool mix of this song, with the Dee-lite… Read more »
Jeff, you always bring such color and energy to the conversation—thank you! I’m right there with you: the 90s were a wild ride musically, and while grunge and heavier rock had their moment, it was the dancefloor where the light shined brightest for many of us. “What Is Love” was that perfect storm of emotional vulnerability and irresistible rhythm—pure club gold. I remember that Discotheque remix too—such a clever use of the Deee-Lite sample! I’m thrilled you’re enjoying the mix of tracks this Pride Month. I really wanted to strike a balance between the beloved and the unexpected—because Pride, just… Read more »