Tag: The Rapino Brothers

Haddaway – What Is Love (US 12″) (1993)

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:

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!


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