ROCK MOMENT - Heart "What About Love?

Source: CIRCA 1975: (L-R) Michael Derosier, Steve Fossen, Nancy Wilson, Ann Wilson, Roger Fisher, Howard Leese (bottom) of the rock band “Heart” pose for a portrait in circa 1975. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

By the mid-1980s, Heart was at a crossroads. After dominating rock radio in the 1970s with hits like “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You,” and “Magic Man,” changing musical trends had left the Wilson sisters searching for a fresh direction. That reinvention began with 1985’s self-titled Heart album, and leading the charge was “What About Love?,” the song that helped launch one of rock’s biggest comebacks.

Interestingly, Heart didn’t write the song. “What About Love” was originally recorded in 1982 by the Canadian rock group Toronto. It was written by Brian Allen, Jim Vallance, and Sheron Alton. While Toronto’s version received some attention, it failed to become a major hit. Songwriter Jim Vallance believed the song deserved a wider audience, and when Heart was looking for material for its comeback album, producer Ron Nevison brought the song to the band’s attention.

Initially, guitarist Nancy Wilson wasn’t enthusiastic about recording songs written by outside writers. Heart had built its reputation on original material, and both Nancy and her sister, lead singer Ann Wilson, were proud songwriters. However, after hearing “What About Love?,” they realized its emotional power fit the band’s style perfectly. Ann Wilson’s soaring vocals transformed the song into something unmistakably Heart, while Nancy’s layered guitar work gave it the dramatic rock edge that became the band’s trademark during the decade.

Producer Ron Nevison, who had previously worked with Led Zeppelin, UFO, and Survivor, helped craft the polished yet powerful sound that defined the Heart album. The recording featured massive guitar textures, shimmering keyboards, and arena-sized drums that perfectly captured the glossy production style of mid-1980s rock without sacrificing the band’s emotional intensity. Ann Wilson delivered one of the standout vocal performances of her career, effortlessly moving from quiet vulnerability to a thunderous, passionate chorus.

Released as the album’s first single in June 1985, “What About Love?” became an immediate success. It reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed even higher on the Mainstream Rock chart, reintroducing Heart to a new generation of listeners. More importantly, it proved the band could successfully adapt to the changing music landscape while maintaining its identity.

The success of “What About Love?” paved the way for an extraordinary string of hits from the Heart album, including “Never,” “These Dreams,” and “Nothin’ at All.” “These Dreams” would eventually become the band’s first No. 1 single, while the album itself sold more than five million copies in the United States, making it one of Heart’s most successful releases.

The song’s music video became a staple on MTV, featuring the band performing amid dramatic lighting and emotional imagery that reflected the song’s themes of longing and vulnerability. Heavy MTV airplay introduced Heart to younger fans who may not have known the band’s groundbreaking work from the 1970s.

Today, “What About Love?” stands as one of Heart’s signature songs and a defining power ballad of the 1980s. More than just a hit single, it marked the beginning of one of rock’s greatest comeback stories. By embracing outstanding outside material while showcasing Ann Wilson’s powerhouse vocals and Nancy Wilson’s distinctive guitar style, Heart proved that reinvention didn’t mean abandoning its roots—it meant finding new ways to connect with audiences. Nearly four decades later, “What About Love?” remains a classic rock radio favorite and a shining example of how the right song at the right time can completely change a band’s future.