This one is a real throwback, one that respects the original but brings it crashing into today’s world with enough impact to impress both existing fans and new ones, too. “What’s Love Got to Do with It” is was a smash hit from 1984 that Tina Turner used to provide the fire power on her album Private Dancer. Listening to the original gives you a nice dose of 80’s synths, slightly-corny (but amazing) drum machine work and scratchy electric guitar. This version removes a lot of the old charm, and replaces it with something that slaps like a 2020 song, with the vintage edge acting as a motor for the song’s essential, timeless character.
It is the first time that we have heard from Turner since her 2008 comeback tour, and the track is a nice new offering for her long-time fans. At 80 years old, she has teamed up with Kygo, the Norwegian DJ and producer, to venture into new territory.
Kygo took to Twitter to announce his excitement about getting the opportunity to work with such a legend of the game: “Can’t believe i’m releasing a collab with @LoveTinaTurner … ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ is one of my all time favorite songs, and it sure feels surreal to get the opportunity to work with such a legendary artist.”
But it is not the first time Kygo has embarked on a project like this. Last year he released a remix of Whitney Houston’s cover “Higher Love” to acclaim. Indeed, there is something very satisfying about seeing 80s tunes brought back to life with freshness and bite. Kygo is adept at resurrecting them without drenching them in modern production techniques that removes their charm.
