What Is Love was released by German Eurodance artist Haddaway in 1993 and became a worldwide hit, later gaining a second life through the 1998 Saturday Night Live Roxbury Guys sketches and countless film and television placements. The chorus line became shorthand for hopeful, slightly desperate romance, and in the internet era it was clipped, remixed and reused in short videos whenever a creator wanted instant musical irony. Its simple hook and danceable beat keep it recognisable across generations.
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The famous Haddaway chorus singing baby don't hurt me from What Is Love, often used in memes and edits for funny heartbreak and dramatic reveal moments.
The clip is the instantly recognisable chorus from Haddaway's 1993 dance hit What Is Love, built around the repeated plea baby don't hurt me over a driving synth beat and bright, pulsing keyboards. The vocal is earnest and slightly pleading, while the upbeat production makes it feel more playful than sad, which is why it lands so well out of context. Heard on its own, it triggers instant recognition and a sense of nostalgic fun, turning a simple rejection, awkward flirtation or over-the-top reaction into a punchline without needing any explanation.
