Show Notes
Haddaway created one of the most instantly recognisable songs in pop history. Released in 1993, “What Is Love” became an international phenomenon and one of the defining records of the Eurodance era. But Haddaway’s story is far more complicated than a single worldwide hit.
Born in Trinidad, raised in the United States and launched to fame from Germany, Haddaway’s life has crossed countries, cultures and musical traditions. Before success arrived, he studied political science and history, played American football, worked in fashion and made music at night.
In this candid interview, Haddaway explains how he fought to retain control of his identity, voice and work—and why he refused an early offer for “What Is Love.” He discusses his creative relationship with producers Tony Hendrik and Karin Hartmann, the intervention of legendary record executive Clive Davis and the personal heartbreak that gave “What Is Love” its emotional power.
He also reflects on the extraordinary success of “Life,” “I Miss You” and “Rock My Heart”; the importance of MTV Europe; the sacrifices demanded by international fame; and the unexpected afterlife of “What Is Love” through Saturday Night Live, A Night at the Roxbury, Eminem and Lil Wayne’s “No Love,” and David Guetta’s “Baby Don’t Hurt Me.”
More than three decades after first asking the question, Haddaway explains what love means to him now: respect, communication, understanding and space.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction 00:59 Life beside Lake Garda 01:35 Trinidad, identity and finding somewhere to belong 02:58 Learning music through the trumpet 03:50 Studying political science and history 05:44 Why Haddaway left America for Germany 06:44 American football, fashion and surviving in Cologne 07:12 The Haddaway name and protecting his identity 08:23 Fighting for control of “What Is Love” 09:21 Tony Hendrik, creative differences and learning to share 10:24 Refusing to imitate Joe Cocker and meeting Clive Davis 11:30 The heartbreak inside “What Is Love” 12:30 Meeting the woman who inspired the song again 13:05 The voice and performance that defined the record 14:16 When “What Is Love” became a cultural phenomenon 15:13 How worldwide fame changed his life 16:19 MTV Europe’s role in Haddaway’s success 17:09 Controlling his image, name and rights 18:29 What fame gave him—and what it took away 19:37 “Life,” “I Miss You” and the Ayrton Senna connection 20:39 Escaping the Eurodance label 21:02 The early Haddaway song that represents him best 21:55 What singing dance music really requires 22:45 Saturday Night Live and A Night at the Roxbury 24:11 Eminem and Lil Wayne’s “No Love” 24:54 David Guetta’s “Baby Don’t Hurt Me” 25:38 Being placed in the one-hit-wonder box 27:00 “The Sun” and taking complete creative responsibility 28:31 Optimism, responsibility and music with meaning 30:18 “Lift Your Head Up” 30:49 What if “What Is Love” had never succeeded? 31:34 The story behind his first name, Nestor 32:30 Why “What Is Love” remains a gift 33:13 Haddaway answers the question today 34:10 Closing thoughts
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