Brown 1

Talia Brown

Professor Leonard

ENG 1201

13 February, 2022

“What is Love” Song Comparison

Music can be a very powerful way to display messages and one's emotions. Whether

through words or a piano solo, music can bring people together. Many parts need to intermix to

make a great piece of music. Words and tune are 2 very important aspects to music. Two songs

with the same words can have very different messages when the tunes are different. Although the

two songs "What is Love" By Jaymes Young and Haddaway use the same lyrics, they display

two very different approaches to love. While Young uses a slow song to show how sad the

sudden loss of love can be in one's life, Haddaway uses a fast beat to show that love can be

thrilling but also dangerous.

Jaymes Young's version of "What is Love" is all about the gaping hole in his life after

the loss of his wife. He feels that love changed his life and that without it he has no hope of

happiness. The music video to this song starts off consisting of happy memories full of love that

he shares with his wife. While watching the music video you walk through their wedding. It

becomes clear that his wedding was the time in his life when he felt the most love. You see his

beautiful bride walking down the aisle while the words 'what is love' play in the background.

This shows that he believes that he has found love and knows its true meaning. The next words

'baby don't hurt me' add depth to the imagery being shown. The video puts images to the trust

and love that this man has for his bride as they make vows 'till death do us part. At the beginning

of the music video, you witness the car accident in which he lost his wife. Looking back at the
 Brown 2

memories which were at one point filled with love, trust, and blissful joy, they become a

reminder of the love he once had. Even though the beginning of the song is happy it becomes all

about his loss. He feels lost without the guiding light of love in his life. After the death of his

wife, the words 'baby don't hurt me' change meaning. Loss hurts and since Young lost someone

he loved dearly, he is grieving deeply. He misses the happiness that love brought into his life and

he is sad that his wife is gone. It is a slow, melancholy song that gives the listener a feel for how

dull and sad life is without love.

"What is Love" by Haddaway takes a very different approach to the concept of love. He

wants to love and knows that it will change him but he fears love and connection. In the music

video, you see a man dancing in what looks like a church or a fancy home with lots of women.

One of these women is dressed in a cape as the devil. She represents the desire and danger that

come with love. He dances with her for a while but never goes any further. This represents his

desire for love and to be loved but is afraid to make a real connection with someone. He dances

with many women in this chapel of desire which shows that he wants temporary fun and

attention but can't commit to a life of love. The words 'baby don't hurt me' in this song have a

very different effect than when they are used in Young's version. Haddaway wants to show the

man's fear of being hurt by love. He is scared to commit to someone for fear of being hurt,

abandoned, or taken advantage of. The tempo of this song is fast with a funk beat that shows that

Haddawys version of love is quick, and something that can happen in passing. It can be thrilling

and dangerous and doesn't need a display of commitment.

Both of these songs use pathos to connect with the audience. The song “What is Love” is

filled with feelings and emotions. The two artists are going through 2 different but very strong

emotions that deal with love. Young misses the love that he had with his wife. Haddaway fears a
 Brown 3

connection through love. The audience is broad but those going through similar situations can

relate. Anyone who has lost a loved one can relate to Young’s take on the song. Those who want

love but don’t know how to, can relate to Haddaway’s song. The pathos in these songs speak to

people's emotions.

Together these two songs show the two most common views on love. Often the world

decides that commitment is not as important as the thrilling life that love can bring. Young has

realized the true need for love in his life. He value's the security and happiness that love can

bring above all else. When his wife dies he is in despair and is overwhelmed in grief.

Haddaway's version of the song does not show this need for commitment. He shows that people

can fear love. Even though Young and Haddaway have a different take on love, they both

recognize its importance and ability to change their lives.

 Brown 4

Work Cited

Haddaway. “What is Love.” YouTube, Jun 18, 2014, Accessed 20 Oct. 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEXWRTEbj1I

Young, Jaymes. “What is Love.” YouTube, Apr 28, 2019, Accessed 20 Oct. 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIvvHKp0JNI