In 1984, Tina Turner was pushed into recording an “awful” pop song. In 2026, it has been streamed over 675,000,000 times
After her split from Ike Turner, Tina Turner’s solo career lost momentum, and her first four albums failed to chart. In 1984 she was persuaded to record “What’s Love Got to Do with It”, despite initially dismissing it as an awful pop song that did not fit her rock identity; the track became a defining comeback hit.
Songwriters Graham Lyle and Terry Britten had struggled to find a singer for the song, which other artists, including Donna Summer, had rejected. Turner’s manager, Roger Davies, encouraged her to meet Britten, and she agreed to try it; she said her powerful voice helped make the track her own. It sold more than two million copies worldwide, was the best-selling single of 1984, won three Grammys and has since been streamed more than 675 million times.
In short
- Turner initially disliked “What’s Love Got to Do with It”.
- The 1984 single revived her solo career.
- It has surpassed 675 million streams.
Explained simply
After separating from Ike Turner, with whom she had performed for years, Tina Turner struggled to establish her solo career. Her first four solo albums failed to chart, leaving her looking for a song that could reach a wider audience.
Graham Lyle and Terry Britten wrote “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and had difficulty finding a singer for it. Turner’s manager, Roger Davies, arranged for her to meet Britten; Turner was known for a powerful voice and a rock-influenced style, while the song was a pop ballad.
The recording became a turning point in Turner’s solo career and helped introduce her to a new generation of listeners. Its success also showed how a song written for one musical style could take on a distinct character through a singer’s performance.