What Is Love was released by Trinidadian-German singer Haddaway in 1993 and became a worldwide Eurodance hit, later revived by its famous head-bobbing scene in the 1998 film A Night at the Roxbury. The chorus spread again through internet memes, dance videos, and short-form edits that paired its earnest question with awkward or exaggerated romance. Its simple synth line and unforgettable vocal hook make it easy to recognise in just a few seconds, which keeps it useful for comedy, nostalgia, and ironic love stories today.
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The famous What Is Love chorus from Haddaway's 1993 hit, with its catchy synth riff and vocal hook, often used in memes and edits for ironic romance moments.
This short clip captures the instantly recognisable opening hook of Haddaway's What Is Love, driven by a bright, pulsing synth riff and the smooth, questioning vocal line that asks what love really is. The beat is upbeat and danceable, yet the delivery feels earnest and slightly pleading, which is why it lands so well out of context. Heard on its own, it triggers instant recognition and a sense of playful nostalgia, turning an ordinary scene into something dramatic, romantic, or deliberately over-the-top. It works because almost everyone knows the next line before it even arrives.
