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Hodgson

Celena Hodgson

Professor Carter

English Composition II

4 March 2022

“What is Love”

“What is Love, Baby Don’t Hurt Me, Don’t Hurt Me, No More”. This vital quote which hints
at the message of both songs is present within each version of the song and the meaning is
synonymous across both versions. In Haddaway’s music video, he is seen with the woman
that he is singing about and even though he is singing related to heartbreak, the song is upbeat
and powerful. In contrast, Jaymes Young’s music video is solely lyrical and has a melancholy
and sad tone. Jaymes Young’s music video rendition of “What Is Love” reiterates the message
portrayed in the original song by Haddaway through its similar rhetoric and expression.
Though practically identical, Young's version slightly expands upon the original lyrics by
revealing his first-hand experiences with love, anguish, and distress.
The main claim of the Haddaway video is the question of what love is and if the two
people can actually be together after one of them has been hurt. This video makes the viewers
consider what true love means and if love can still exist during turmoil. In the video, the main
characters are the artist Haddaway and a woman (who he is singing the song about). The
stories being told within the song are how the artist was previously hurt by his lover, how he
does not want to hurt anymore, and how he is still in love with her. There are not any reasons
provided to support his claims about heartbreak other than the fact that the woman has hurt
the artist in the past and that he still wants to be with her forever. The first-hand experience of
this video comes from the artist. He is in love with a woman who has hurt him in the past and
he still wants to be with her forever. Even though he feels this way, he questions whether or
not they can be together without her hurting him again.
The main claim of the Jaymes Young video made by the artist is that he is giving his
love to the woman he loves but she is not reciprocating. She is not there for him anymore and
he does not know what to do or how to feel. He still loves her, but he is lost. The video makes
the viewer consider the artist’s point of view. The main character in this video is the artist
Jaymes Young. The story being told is that the artist longs for the one he loves, but is scared
to be hurt again as he was in the past. Love is a difficult thing and it is difficult to think
objectively when love and hurt are involved. The artist claims “I do not know what to do” and
“You hurt me and don’t care”. This is conflicting for the artist because he loves this woman,
but it makes it difficult to love when you are not shown the same by the one that you love.
The only evidence in this video comes from the first-hand experience of the artist. He has
been hurt badly, does not know what to do, and needs a sign to make a decision. He craves
love and does not know whether to move on or keep pursuing the one he loves.
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Hodgson

The rhetorical appeals are prevalent and obvious within both versions of the song and
are vital in how the overarching message within each is conveyed to the listener. Logos can be
disputed in the Haddaway video because one can claim that the artist in not thinking with a
clear head. His emotions are skewed because it is hard to accept negative actions by the
person that you love. Even though his thinking might be biased, he uses his words and
intensity to get his message across and it is very effective. Pathos of this video comes in
because many individuals have been in the same situation as the artist. All relationships have
their problems, and this video relates to almost everyone. The target audience of this video is
anyone who has been hurt in a relationship no matter their race, age, socioeconomic status, or
education. No one is immune from hurt, but this song’s upbeat nature shows people that there
is always light at the end of the tunnel. Conversely, pathos is prevalent within the Jaymes
Young video because the artist pours his emotions out through his lyrics. He has been through
both love and hurt and these emotions relate to the viewer in a major way. Logos is skewed
within this video because the artist is not thinking objectively or rationally. When someone
loves another individual, objective and rational thinking go out the window. The audience of
this video is anyone who is going through problems with their significant other or anyone who
is lost or feeling alone. Anyone who watches this video can be moved by it one way or
another, and it provides a perspective that many people can relate to. The ideas of love, lust,
hurt, and anguish are ever-present regardless of the audience. That is why these two songs are
so profound and timeless.
Examples of rhetorical expression are ever-present within Jaymes Young’s music
video rendition of “What Is Love”, and they truly reveal the artist’s relationship with the
feelings of love, anguish, and distress through his first-hand experiences. .The nearly identical
lyrics of the songs represent their parallel message, but the visual representations of each is
what sets them apart. The claims are nearly the same for both songs, other than the fact that
the second video elaborates slightly more on how the artist feels about the situation. I believe
that the first song gets the message across more effectively because of the visuals and overall
lyrics and instrumental beat of the music video, but the videos both appeal to the same
audience. The two songs mirror each other in many significant ways, and Young’s rendition
of “What is Love” many years later not only shows the impact that Haddaway’s song had, but
it reveals that love and heartbreak will never cease to exist. 
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Hodgson

Works Cited

Haddaway. “What is Love.” Youtube. June 18, 2014. Accessed March 4, 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEXWRTEbj1I

Young, James. “What is Love”. Youtube. March 2, 2018. Accessed March 4, 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRP3Cqgpd6Q