I haven’t done one of these in awhile where I highlight a 45 Single in my collection so I went through and pulled out “What About Love” from the band Heart. The song is from what is considered their comeback album ‘Heart’ that was released in 1985 and the single was the first off the album and released on June 1, 1985.
The song is a cover song actually and was originally performed by the band Toronto. It was written by Brian Allen. Sheron Alton and Jim Vallance. You know Jim as he is the writing partner for some guy named Bryan Adams. Brian & Sheron were in Toronto, however, Jim wasn’t although he did play drums on the song. Enough about them, let’s get to Heart.
The song “What About Love” actually reached all the way to #10 on the Billboard charts and was their first top 10 in 5 years which I find strange then that this was a comeback, but I guess 5 years is an eternity in the music business.
The song is a ballad and this was not the Heart you grew up with. They were chasing the trend at the time, I mean come on, look at the way they are dressed on the cover. That SCREAMS 80’S!!!! It is horrid. And the hair..holy shit, the hair. Mullet City!! Thankfully, the song isn’t atrocious.
Ron Nevison produced the album and the song and it is a power ballad that was played extensively on MTV. It propelled Heart back in to the spotlight and the album would go on to sell millions. The song is full of synthesizers and the song is so polished and pristine it is almost too good. But the best part as always is that powerhouse vocal talent of Ann Wilson. Speaking of vocal talent, the backing vocals of the song include both Mickey Thomas and Grace Slick from the band Starship.
But what is special album about this 45 is the B-Side. The song is an unreleased and rare track called “Heart of Darkness”.
The songwriting credits on this one go to the entire band which did not happen very often and in looking at the album credits, there is only one song on the album that is credited to all of them. It sounds 80’s as maybe a cross between Journey and the Heart album Dreamboat Annie might be a good comparison. It isn’t a bad song and strange it didn’t make the cut as it as good as anything on that album (if not better than some). And interesting enough, it was never released ever, not on any deluxe album or compilation that I can find which is really cool.
And there you have it. I hope you enjoyed that little discussion on the 45 Single for Heart’s “What About Love”. I have more 45’s so maybe we will do this again soon. Thanks for stopping by.
Lyrics:
“What About Love”
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 forgotWhat 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
2 Loud 2 Old Music 
Was this the heart track you did a comparison with the original some time ago?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, that was Alone…same album I believe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dang. Did not realize all the covers Heart did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is amazing how many songs on those 80’s albums they did not write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aarrgghh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry…Alone was off Bad Animals
LikeLike
I enjoy 80s Heart and that glam look. I’m a fan of this song even though it sounds like a hundred similar songs from the era and Heart Of Darkness was surprising as its very guitar and drums heavy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Heart of Darkness is good, wouldn’t fit on the album as it is such a different sound, but a good B-Side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought this on tape as those vids were a huge selling point to a 18 year old at the time. lol
Good to see it made the songwriters a ton of dough which I’m sure fractured the band Toronto somewhat knowing that some of the band were becoming millionaires off of this tune while the others in the band were out delivering pizza’s! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Well, the other band members need to learn how to write songs. Vallance learned that quickly!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would say Vallance learned. Anything attached with his name was more often than not a hit
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, he is one of those unsung heroes in music. He doesn’t get enough recognition for his contribution. You and I know of him, but the average Joe does not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think his bank account is bothered by it to much
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t imagine it would be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see Heart, I upvote for Wilson sisters! So. Awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A no brainer!! Always vote for the Wilson sisters.
LikeLike
Yessss!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t realized Vallance was a co-writer here – but after listening again (especially the chorus), it’s not a surprise to read he was involved!
LikeLike
Wow, I didn’t know Toronto did this song. Sarah might have both versions on vinyl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didn’t know it was a cover either. Had the album and enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think anyone did. I wonder if they knew. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, this pick has put some lead in my pencil. I have a real umm… fondness for this era of Heart. Got into Bad Animals when it came out. Nancy on a horse embedded in my mind forever. I’ve got a really cheesy vinyl box set of these albums that I’ll need to look out now! I think it’s called ‘From Heart With Love’ or something like that haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now she is embedded in mine. Thanks for that 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brian Allen. Years ago Brian Adams felt the canadian content regulations to play canadian music on radio too restrictive. Hence an number of coked out bad hair bands had some minor air play. Many of the video posers couldn’t play live as they multi tracked everything. As a songwriter who sent some tapes out in the early days and a factor grant recipient one knows when a song is a derivation of their original work. So glad l didn’t make a bad video. J Ardens songs???? RIP off.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for commenting. Most of the 80’s were very derivative.
LikeLike