What's Love Got to Do with It Introduction
In a Nutshell
Through the 1960s and early 1970s, Tina Turner was a star. With the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, she recorded dozens of R&B hits, some of which scored on the pop charts as well. After leaving her abusive husband in 1976, though, her career collapsed.It wasn't until 1984 that Tina was able to make her way back to the spotlight. "What's Love Got to Do with It" highlighted one of the most amazing comebacks in rock history. The song held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, and at the end of the year, it won the 45-year-old singer three Grammys.
The song transformed Turner into one the decade's big winners, but Turner's comeback also produced some losers, most significantly her former husband Ike. His abusive behavior became the well-publicized dark subtext of Tina's comeback story. Now, Ike's fans say that it's time to cut the rock and roll innovator some slack. Is it ever too soon to forgive and forget, though?
About the Song
| Artist | Tina Turner | Musician(s) | Tina Turner (vocals) |
| Album | Private Dancer | ||
| Year | 1984 | ||
| Label | Capitol | ||
| Writer(s) | Terry Britten, Graham Lyle | ||
| Producer(s) | Terry Britten | ||
| Buy this song: Amazon iTunes | Try Listen and Learn (BETA) | ||
Shmoop Connections
The Ike and Tina Turner Revue was one of the hottest R&B acts of the 1960s and early 1970s. Their high-energy performances won new audiences, and Ike and Tina Turner were critical influences as they shaped their distinctive expression of rock and roll.But Tina Turner's story is about more than just music. For years, she suffered through an abusive relationship, similar to those described by writers like Alice Waters and Sara Gruen in The Color Purple and Water for Elephants, respectively.
On the Charts
"What's Love Got to Do with It" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Tina Turner's first and only solo hit to reach the top spot in the U.S. She was 45 years old when the song charted, which at the time made her the oldest solo female to reach #1.The song was also ranked #309 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.