This was Heart's first single under their new contract with Capitol Records. It marked a turnaround for the band, which after a triumphant run of hits in the '70s got off to a rough start in the '80s with a decline in sales and little airplay for their new material on radio or MTV. Capitol, determined to return them to commercial glory, paired them with a new producer, Ron Nevison, and had them record songs written by outside songwriters. "What About Love" is one of these outside tracks - it was written by Brian Allen and Sheron Alton of the Canadian band Toronto, along with Jim Vallance, who co-wrote many of Bryan Adams' hits. The song was written for Toronto but they didn't record it. The demo found its way to Heart, which turned it into their first Top 10 US hit since "Magic Man" in 1976. Their next two singles did even better: "Never" hit #4 and "These Dreams" went to #1.
In this song, Ann Wilson addresses a guy who is not returning her affections. Trying to get through to him, she warns him that he better open his heart and accept her love, because he might need it someday.
Ann Wilson's vocal is much more dynamic on this track compared with previous Heart material. The verses are very restrained, but then she explodes into the chorus. She attributes this to producer Ron Nevison, who coached her to hold back her big voice at times to create more impact when she let it loose.
Lyrics
I've been lonely I've been waiting for you I'm pretending and that's all I can do The love I'm sending Ain't making it through to your heart You've been hiding, never letting it show Always trying to keep it under control You got it down and you're well On the way to the top But there's something that you forgot What about love Don't you want someone to care about you What about love Don't let it slip away What about love I only want to share it with you You might need it someday I can't tell you what you're feeling inside I can't sell you what you don't want to buy Something's missing and you got to Look back on your life You know something here just ain't right What about love Don't you want someone to care about you What about love Don't let it slip away What about love I only want to share it with you What about love Don't you want someone to care about you What about love Don't let it slip away What about love I only want to share it with you
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