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Joseph Handorf

Professor Helmers

English Comp. II

8 February 2020

What Is Love?

“What Is Love” by Haddaway and “What Is Love” by Jeymas Young both use a similar

set of lyrics. However, both music videos are very different in terms of the message and story

they convey. They both talk about the struggles of love and how these struggles may either come

from pursuing love or losing it. The “What Is Love” edition that was released in 1992 is sung by

Haddaway and has a disco-like beat. This version creates a more lighthearted and imaginative

interpretation as there is dancing and many supernatural characters. “What Is Love” by Jeymas

Young was released in April 2019, and is sung by Jaymes Young with a guitar and a slower beat.

This creates a slower, more sentimental feeling as the music video tells a story.

In the music video of the songs original version, “What Is Love”, by Haddaway it starts

out showing the singer smash a sculpture and singing “What is love, baby don’t hurt me.” The

listener can interpret this and view it as Haddaway being conflicted about love, or that he has

been hurt in a past relationship, from the phrase “baby don’t hurt me.” The music video then

shows Haddaway by himself “I give you my love but you don’t care.” This may allow the

listeners to know that he was in a one-sided relationship, and may have been hurt but a lack of

effort from his partner. There is also a scene where Haddaway is being held in the arms of a

vampire who proceeds to bite him on the neck. There are other instances when these women
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physically hurt him. The audience can interpret this to another, more theatrical way, that love can

hurt.

The version of the song “What Is Love” by Jaymes Young has a much deeper and

sentimental meaning. As the video begins, the listener's attention is grabbed by the sight of a

couple together in a car. A few seconds go by and then the couple gets in a car crash. “I don’t

know you’re not there” the music video shows Jaymes Young at a funeral for his wife who had

died in the car crash. The audience knows that this woman is his wife because the video shows

clips of their wedding. Later on in the video we see Jaymes Young arguing with his wife. The

lyrics say, “What else can I say it’s up to you.” These lyrics may represent that the couple is

realizing that love isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but that there are realistic struggles that will

happen. The lyrics, “I want no other, no other lover” can be interpreted that they realize that

although those struggles do happen, love is worth it in the end. “If we are together I need you

forever,” can mean that Jaymes Young is not looking for anyone else to love because after losing

his wife and learning what love is, he cannot see himself with anyone else. However, the music

video then shows Jaymes Young crying and breaking objects throughout his house. This may

represent his anger and frustration of how love can be so painful when it is taken from you. The

video ends with the lyrics, “baby don’t hurt me no more”. The listeners can interpret this that

Jaymes Young is hurt from losing his wife and is scared and afraid to love anyone again.

Both versions are very similar regarding the topic of love and the challenges that come

with it. But what makes both of these videos different is the message that comes with each video.

The original version is more about pursuing and conflicted on what love is supposed to be after

being hurt from a past relationship. While the second version of “What Is Love” is directed
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towards an audience who has lost the love that they finally received. The original takes a much

different approach to showcase its meaning in the music video compared to the second version as

it does not appeal to pathos because it is more of a dance video. However, both music videos do

a great job. Since the version by Haddaway was released in 1992 the dancing and even beat of

the song is going to be different from the style of music that is popular today. Jaymes Young

music video is completely different from Haddaway's. Considering both versions have different

meanings they are obviously going to have music videos with different themes and stories.

Jaymes Young’s adaptation is showing him coping with the trauma of losing a loved one and

creates more of a story and causes deeper feelings of emotion.

On the other hand both versions do share a lot of similar qualities. “What Is Love” by

Haddaway and “What Is Love” by Jaymes Young are both about dealing with love and what it

means. Both videos show this in a different way. However, the meaning is that love can hurt, but

anyone and everyone can learn from it and grow from the lessons that come with love. In

conclusion, both videos create the idea that love is not always so simple as there are highs and

lows. Love in our society is perceived as amazing and happy, but really love is also defined by

getting through the struggles and finding your person.

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Work Cited

“YouTube.” ​YouTube​, YouTube, ​www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEXWRTEbj1I​. Accessed on

February, 9 2020

“YouTube.” ​YouTube​, YouTube, ​www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIvvHKp0JNI​. Accessed on

February, 9 2020