What Is This Thing Called Love? (Alexander O'Neal song)

"What Is This Thing Called Love?"
Single by Alexander O'Neal
from the album All True Man
Released	1991 (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
"All True Man" (1991) "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (1991) "Shame on Me" (1991)
Music video
"What Is This Thing Called Love?" on YouTube

"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.

Release

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.

Music video

The official music video was directed by Dominic Orlando.

Track listing

• 12" Maxi (45 73804)

1. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic 12" Mix)" – 8:20
2. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic Radio Mix)" – 3:37
3. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (LP Edit)" – 3:58
4. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Red Zone Mix)" – 5:41
5. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Instrumental Mix)" – 5:58
6. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Reprise)" – 2:13

• 7" Single (656731 7) / Cassette Single (656731 4)

1. "What Is This Thing Called Love?" – 4:08
2. "Crying Overtime" – 4:55

• CD Single (656731 2)

1. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Album Version)" – 6:04
2. "The Lovers (Extended Version)" – 7:02
3. "If You Were Here Tonight" – 6:08

• CD Single (656731 9)

1. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic 12" Mix)" – 8:20
2. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic Radio Mix)" – 3:37
3. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Red Zone Mix)" – 5:41
4. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Reprise)" – 2:13

• Cassette Single (35T 73810)

1. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Classic Radio Mix)" – 3:37
2. "What Is This Thing Called Love? (Dee Instrumental Mix)" – 5:58

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.

• 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

Chart (1991)	Peak position
US Hot R&B Singles	21
US Hot Dance Club Songs	10
UK Singles Chart	53
Dutch MegaCharts	81

History

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?".

External links

• What Is This Thing Called Love? at Discogs (list of releases)