Quotes - Who Needs A Heart When A Heart Can Be Broken? - Shmoop

Source: "What's Love Got to Do With It?"

Speaker: Tina Turner

"Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?"

What's love got to do with it? Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?

Back to all quotes LonelinessLoveFearRelationshipRomanticSadMusicWhat’s Love Got to Do with It?Tina Turner

Context

This line is from the song "What's Love Got to Do With It?" by Tina Turner, from the album Private Dancer (1984).

Tina was a big deal back in the '70s, when she and her husband Ike killed it with their version of "Proud Mary." After years of spousal abuse, however, Tina finally ditched Ike. Unfortunately, her solo career didn't really take off and, by the time the '80s rolled around, things were looking pretty bleak.

That is until "What's Love Got to Do With It?" blazed up the charts to number one and raked in the Grammys. Was the world more receptive to Tina singing about broken hearts because they knew her past? Maybe, maybe not. All we know is that this is a comeback song with bite.

Hear Tina ask this famous question here.

Where you've heard it

Don't think these lyrics still have bite? Tell that to the contestants of both American Idol and X Factor who've tried to outdo Tina. Bold move, kids. What's Love Got to Do With It? is also the title of a biopic about Tina's escape from abuse, starring Angela Basset as Tina.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

It may be bitter, but that doesn't make it pretentious, now does it?

See All Quotes