"What Is This Thing Called Love?" is a song written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and recorded by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It is the second single from the singer's fourth solo album, All True Man (1991). The song's distinctive backing vocals were performed by Lisa Keith. Following the successful chart performances of the All True Man single "All True Man", "What Is This Thing Called Love?" was released as the album's second single.
| "What Is This Thing Called Love?" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Alexander O'Neal | ||||
| from the album All True Man | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Eurodance, R&B, soca, dance-pop | |||
| Length | 6:04 (album version) | |||
| Label | Tabu | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis | |||
| Producer(s) | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis | |||
| Alexander O'Neal singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "What Is This Thing Called Love?" on YouTube | ||||
Release edit
Alexander O'Neal's 19th hit single and it reached #53 in the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, the single reached #21 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.
Track listing edit
- 12" Maxi (45 73804)
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic 12" Mix)" – 8:20
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic Radio Mix)" – 3:37
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (LP Edit)" – 3:58
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Red Zone Mix)" – 5:41
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Instrumental Mix)" – 5:58
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Reprise)" – 2:13
- 7" Single (656731 7) / Cassette Single (656731 4)
- "What Is This Thing Called Love?" – 4:08
- "Crying Overtime" – 4:55
- CD Single (656731 2)
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Album Version)" – 6:04
- "The Lovers (Extended Version)" – 7:02
- "If You Were Here Tonight" – 6:08
- CD Single (656731 9)
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic 12" Mix)" – 8:20
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic Radio Mix)" – 3:37
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Red Zone Mix)" – 5:41
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Reprise)" – 2:13
- Cassette Single (35T 73810)
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic Radio Mix)" – 3:37
- "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Instrumental Mix)" – 5:58
Personnel edit
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[1]
- Alexander O'Neal – lead vocals
- Jimmy Jam – acoustic piano, keyboards, synthesizer, drum programming, rhythm & vocal arrangements
- Terry Lewis – rhythm & vocal arrangements, backing vocals
- Lee Blaskey – string arrangements
- Susie Allard – strings
- Mynra Rian – strings
- Joanna Shelton – strings
- Carolyn Daws – strings
- Mary Bahr – strings
- Lea Foli – strings
- Julia Persilz – strings
- Hyacinthe Tlucek – strings
- Maricia Peck – strings
- Jeanne Ekhold – strings
- Luara Sewell – strings
- Rudolph Lekhter – strings
- Lisa Keith – backing vocals
Charts edit
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B Singles[2] | 21 |
| US Hot Dance Club Songs[2] | 10 |
| UK Singles Chart[3] | 53 |
| Dutch MegaCharts[4] | 81 |
History edit
In September 2018, DJ David Morales accused Kanye West of stealing the bass line of "I Love It" from his remix to "What Is This Thing Called Love?".[5]
References edit
- ^ All True Man liner notes. Tabu Records. 1991.
- ^ a b "US Singles Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
- ^ "UK Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
- ^ "NL Charts > Alexander O'Neal". MegaCharts. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
- ^ Jordan Darville (September 13, 2018). "Kanye West accused of stealing bass line for "I Love It"". The FADER. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
External links edit
- What Is This Thing Called Love? at Discogs (list of releases)
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