The 1980s File Feature
What Love Is
What Love Is by Marty Balin - Learn the song meaning, the backstory and key facts, then watch the selected YouTube video.
01 The Story
The Heartfelt Journey of "What Love Is" by Marty Balin (1983)
There's something undeniably magnetic about Marty Balin's voice—raw, soulful, and laced with that Jefferson Airplane edge. But in 1983, when he stepped out solo with "What Love Is," it wasn't just another track; it was a personal reckoning, a snapshot of a man navigating love's messy truths after years in the rock whirlwind. As a one-hit wonder that peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, this song captured a moment where vulnerability met pop accessibility, reminding us why Balin's talent could shine even outside the band spotlight.
The Context of Creation: Love, Loss, and a Solo Leap
Marty Balin, the co-founder and original voice of Jefferson Airplane, had always been the romantic heart of the band. By the early '80s, though, the Airplane's psychedelic heyday had faded into solo ventures and personal upheavals. Balin was in his mid-40s, twice divorced, and grappling with the scars of failed relationships. "What Love Is" emerged from this emotional churn—a reflective ballad born during a period when he was writing songs that peeled back the layers of adult love, far from the free-love idealism of his youth.
Interestingly, the song's inception ties back to a casual jam session in 1981. Balin, inspired by the smooth soul sounds of the era—think Michael McDonald or Toto—sketched out the melody on his guitar. He later shared in interviews that the lyrics flowed from a late-night conversation with a close friend about the illusions of romance. "It's not about fairy tales," Balin once quipped. "It's the real stuff—the give and take that keeps you up at night." This context wasn't just backdrop; it infused the song with an authenticity that resonated deeply, turning personal doubt into universal appeal.
Recording Circumstances: A Star-Studded Studio Magic
Recording took place in Los Angeles at The Record Plant, a studio legendary for birthing hits from everyone from the Doors to Prince. Balin, fresh off a brief Airplane reunion, assembled a crack team for his sophomore solo album, Balin. Producer Peter Wolf—yes, the J. Geils Band guy—brought in session heavyweights like Toto's Steve Lukather on guitar and David Paich on keyboards, blending yacht rock polish with Balin's gritty vocals.
The sessions were intense but collaborative. One anecdote stands out: Balin reportedly clashed with Wolf over the bridge, insisting on a rawer vocal take that captured his "lived-in" emotion. They nailed it after midnight, with Balin channeling the exhaustion of a long day into that soaring chorus. The result? A lush arrangement with shimmering synths and a driving beat, clocking in at just under four minutes—perfect for radio. It wasn't without hiccups; budget constraints nearly scrapped the horn section, but Balin fought for it, adding that soulful punch that elevated the track from good to unforgettable.
Release, Success, and the Climb to the Charts
Released in June 1983 via EMI America, "What Love Is" hit the airwaves amid the MTV boom and a pop landscape dominated by synth-pop and new wave. The single, backed by the album's title track, started modestly on adult contemporary stations. But word-of-mouth and Balin's lingering fame propelled it upward. By August, it cracked the Top 10, spending weeks in the Hot 100's upper echelons and even snagging some rock radio play.
Success came with surprises. Balin performed it on Solid Gold, his gravelly delivery mesmerizing audiences. Yet, the album itself stalled, making this very much a one-hit story. Still, it sold over 500,000 copies as a single, a testament to Balin's crossover power. The music video, a simple narrative of lovers reuniting, got modest MTV rotation, helping it connect with a generation rediscovering '60s icons in '80s packaging.
Cultural and Musical Impact: Echoes of Vulnerability
"What Love Is" bridged eras, pulling Jefferson Airplane fans into the MTV age while influencing soft-rock ballads that followed. It spoke to baby boomers hitting midlife, questioning love's endurance amid divorce rates soaring in the '80s. Musically, its fusion of rock soul and pop production inspired acts like Chicago's later work or even Huey Lewis's heartfelt anthems. Culturally, it became a staple in '80s nostalgia playlists, evoking that bittersweet ache of mature romance.
Looking back, Balin called it his "redemption song," a bridge from hippie dreams to real-world grit. Though he never topped its chart success, "What Love Is" endures as a reminder of his voice's timeless pull—imperfect, human, and achingly true. If you haven't spun it lately, do it; let that chorus wrap around you like an old friend's confession.
02 Song Meaning
Unraveling the Heart in Marty Balin's "What Love Is" (1983)
In the soft glow of 1983, Marty Balin, the soulful voice behind Jefferson Airplane's psychedelic anthems, stepped into solo territory with What Love Is. This track, from his album of the same name, feels like a quiet confession whispered over acoustic strums and gentle horns. It's not the explosive rock of his Airplane days; it's introspective, almost fragile, capturing a man wrestling with love's elusive truth. As someone who's spun this record late at night, it hits different—raw and real, like Balin's peeling back layers of his own heart.
Main Themes: Love's Elusive Dance
At its core, the song grapples with love's contradictions. Balin sings of a bond that's both intoxicating and confusing, where passion blurs into doubt. Lines like "What love is, is what you make it" suggest love isn't a fixed star but a creation, shaped by choices and vulnerabilities. There's a thread of longing here, too—yearning for connection amid isolation. It's not just romance; it's about self-discovery through another, echoing how relationships mirror our inner chaos. These themes weave through the lyrics simply, without pretense, making them stick like a half-remembered dream.
Artistic and Emotional Message: A Plea for Authenticity
Balin's message cuts straight: love demands honesty, even when it hurts. He urges listeners to embrace the messiness, to "let it be what it is" rather than forcing ideals. Emotionally, it's a balm for the bruised—Balin's warm, weathered vocals convey empathy, like he's sharing scars from his own turbulent life. Post-Jefferson era, this feels like his artistic pivot, trading counterculture fire for personal intimacy. The message? Love isn't a fairy tale; it's a gritty, human endeavor that heals if you lean in.
Social and Cultural Context: Echoes of the Early '80s
1983 was a pivot point—MTV was reshaping pop, Reagan's America preached optimism, but undercurrents of divorce rates climbing and AIDS emerging cast shadows on relationships. Balin's song arrives amid this, a counterpoint to synth-pop gloss. Drawing from his '60s roots, it nods to free love's fallout, reminding us that amid yuppie ambition, emotional truth still matters. It's culturally significant as a bridge: hippie idealism meeting adult realism, resonating with a generation questioning happily-ever-after.
Metaphors and Symbolisms: Shadows of the Heart
Balin's lyrics lean on subtle symbols—a "river running deep" for love's undercurrents, unpredictable yet vital; or "fire in the night" evoking passion's fleeting warmth against loneliness's chill. These aren't overwrought; they're everyday poetry, like staring at rain-streaked windows. The metaphor of love as a "mystery" unfolds gradually, symbolizing how we chase clarity in something inherently foggy. They ground the abstract, making the intangible feel touchable.
Emotional Impact: A Quiet Resonance
Listening to What Love Is, you feel seen—its tenderness stirs nostalgia for lost loves or hope for new ones. That swelling chorus can catch in your throat, especially on a lonely drive, evoking the ache of unspoken feelings. It's emotionally resonant because it's unflashy; Balin doesn't demand tears, he invites them. For many, it's a gentle nudge toward vulnerability, lingering long after the fade-out, reminding us love's power lies in its quiet truths.
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