This week on Rewind & React, Adam and Rob head back to 1993 to revisit one of the most recognizable dance hits of the decade. But while almost everyone knows the song, its surprisingly spooky music video might be a different story.
Instead of a nightclub full of dancers, “What Is Love” takes us into a mysterious mansion filled with seductive vampires, strange transformations, dramatic dancing, and some very questionable special effects. It’s an unexpected direction for a Eurodance classic, but somehow it works.
Here’s what we’re covering:
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Why Haddaway’s upbeat dance anthem has an unexpectedly vampire-themed music video
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The low-budget effects, reverse-motion footage, dramatic zooms, and bizarre dance sequences that make the video uniquely ’90s
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How the mansion featured in the video later appeared as Wayne Manor in Batman Begins
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The surprising story of how Haddaway became a singer despite not originally planning a career as a performer
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Why vampires became so seductive in movies and pop culture, especially during the 1990s
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How Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, and the Roxbury guys on Saturday Night Live gave “What Is Love” an entirely new cultural identity
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The unexpected connection between the Roxbury head-bob and Rob Zombie’s “Dragula” music video
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Whether this is a genuinely good music video or simply a strange visual companion to an unforgettable song
Before diving into Haddaway, Adam and Rob also catch up on recent concerts, including Smashing Pumpkins, Olivia Rodrigo, and Babymetal, and discuss the live performances that can change someone’s life.
Then it’s trivia time as Adam challenges Rob to Haddaway or Ace of Base? From “The Sign” and “All That She Wants” to unexpected covers, Grammy nominations, and record-breaking album sales, how much does Rob really know about these two ’90s European pop sensations?
More than 30 years later, “What Is Love” remains an instantly recognizable classic. Whether you remember it from European dance clubs, MTV, or three guys bobbing their heads on Saturday Night Live, there’s no denying its lasting place in pop culture.
Listen to Rewind & React wherever you get your podcasts, and let us know what music video we should revisit next.
RewindAndReact.com
