What’s Love Got to Do with It | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
||: G#m11 | G#m11 | G#11 | G#11 :||
Verse 1
| G#m11 | G#m11 | G#11 | G#11 |
You must understand, though the touch of your hand makes my pulse react.
| G#m11 | G#m11 | G#11 |
That it’s only the thrill of boy meeting girl, opposites attract.
| E F# | F# (F#sus4) | E F# | F# (F#sus4) |
It’s physical. Only logical.
| E | F# |
You must try to ignore that it means more than that. Oh-oh-oh.
Chorus 1
| (B) G#m/A# F#/G# (F#) | E F# |
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
| (B) G#m/A# F# | E F# |
What’s love, but a second-hand emotion?
| (B) G#m/A# F#/G# (F#) | E F# |
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
| (B) G#m/A# F# | E F# |
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
Verse 2
It may seem to you that I’m acting confused when you’re close to me.
If I tend to look dazed, I read it some place, I got cause to be.
There’s a name for it. There’s a phrase that fits.
But whatever the reason, you do it for me. Oh-oh-oh.
Chorus 2
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
What’s love, but a second-hand emotion?
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
Solo (key change)
| (Db) Bbm/C Ab/Bb (Ab) | Gb Ab |
Who?
| (Db) Bbm/C Ab | Gb Ab |
| (Db) Bbm/C Ab/Bb (Ab) | Gb Ab |
| (Db) Bbm/C Ab |2/4 Gb |
Middle 8
|4/4 Db11 | Db |
I’ve been taking on a new direction.
| Db11 | Db |
But I have to say.
| Aadd9 | B/A |
I’ve been thinking about my own protection.
| Abm11 | Dbadd9 N.C |
It scares me to feel this way, oh-oh-oh.
Chorus 3
| (Db) Bbm/C Ab/Bb (Ab) | Gb Ab |
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
| (Db) Bbm/C Ab | Gb Ab |
What’s love, but a second-hand emotion?
| (Db) Bbm/C Ab/Bb (Ab) | Gb Ab |
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
| (Db) Bbm/C Ab |2/4 Gb |
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
Chorus 4
(What’s love) got to do, got to do with it?
What’s love, but a sweet old-fashioned notion?
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart, when a heart can be broken?
Chorus 5
(What’s love) ooh, got to do with it?
(What’s love? A second-hand emotion).
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
Outro
|4/4 (Db) Bbm/C Ab/Bb (Ab) | Gb Ab |
(What’s love) ooh-ooh (got to do with it?) got to do with it?
What’s Love Got to Do with It Chords: Mastering the Groove and Key Changes
The best way to fully grasp this masterpiece is by arranging the chords for a single acoustic guitar. This means incorporating the iconic bass line, keyboard motifs, and full chords into one cohesive part.
I’ve created a TAB to help with this, which you can access here: What’s Love Got to Do with It – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
The verse begins with the intro chords G#m11 and G#11, though the rhythm changes (check the TAB). Then, we move to an E chord, which confirms the key. Since E – F# function as IV – V, we know What’s Love Got to Do with It is in B major, making that G#m11 or G#11 chord VI. Though G#11 might seem like a major chord, it lacks a third, making it ambiguous.
Here’s the full verse progression:
| G#m11 (VI) | G#m11 | G#11 (VI) | G#11 |
| G#m11 | G#m11 | G#11 |
| E (IV) F# (V) | F# (F#sus4) | E F# | F# (F#sus4) |
| E | F# |
The chorus briefly resolves to B (I), but so quickly that it barely registers. I’ve placed it in brackets:
||: (B) G#m/A# F#/G# (F#) | E F# |
| (B) G#m/A# F# | E F# :||
After a key change to Db for the solo and chorus, we reach the middle 8, introducing another key shift. Here’s that section in Db major:
| Db11 | Db | Db11 | Db |
| Aadd9 | B/A | Abm11 | Dbadd9 N.C |
The Aadd9 – B/A progression functions as IV – V in E major, signalling another modulation. The Abm11 – Db movement suggests a II – V resolution in Gb major.
To play What’s Love Got to Do with It effectively on one acoustic guitar, you’ll need to follow the TAB. Once you’ve mastered it, adapting the part for an electric guitar in a band setting will be effortless.
After working through the TAB (which takes time!), all you’ll need is this simple chord chart.
What’s Love Got to Do with It Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro
Should you want to download this chart, here’s a PDF: What’s Love Got to Do with It chord chart PDF.
This chord chart was created using iReal Pro, here’s a link to that file: What’s Love Got to Do with It chord chart iReal Pro. Using this and the iRealPro app, you can change the key.
How What’s Love Got to Do with It Became a Hit—Then a Movie
Released in 1984, Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got to Do with It became more than just a hit—it later inspired the 1993 biographical film of the same name, documenting the life of the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll.
The song reached the Top 10 in several countries and claimed the No. 1 spot in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, selling around two million copies worldwide.
At the time of its release, many people were unaware of the years of abuse Tina had endured from her husband, Ike Turner. However, following the film’s debut, public perception shifted—while Tina was rightfully celebrated, Ike became one of the most reviled figures in music history.
The film’s impact helped solidify Tina’s legendary status, leading to another major opportunity: performing GoldenEye for the 1995 James Bond film. It would become her last major hit.
What’s Love Got to Do with It Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: What’s Love Got to Do with It (Tina Turner) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy: