Baby Don't Hurt Me

Album: single release only (2023)
Charted: 13 48
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, David Guetta teams up with British singer-songwriter Anne-Marie and American rapper Coi Leray. The song samples Haddaway's '90s Eurodance banger "What Is Love," which reached #1 in charts across 13 countries.
  • Released on April 7, 2023, "Baby Don't Hurt Me" follows a similar formula to Guetta's 2022 hit collaboration with Bebe Rexha, "I'm Good (Blue)." Both songs take a classic '90s dance number and add new verses by female artists.
  • This marks David Guetta and Anne-Marie's second collaboration following 2018's "Don't Leave Me Alone." It's the first time Coi Leray has worked with either David Guetta or Anne-Marie.
  • "What Is Love" is about the hurt when a romantic partner doesn't return the same love. However, the lyrics of "Baby Don't Hurt Me" are more upbeat as Anne-Marie and Coi Leray detail a passionate and intense relationship.
  • Coi Leray and David Guetta co-wrote "Baby Don't Hurt Me" with:

    Ed Sheeran and his go-to songwriting collaborators Johnny McDaid and Steve Mac. Anne-Marie and Sheeran are longtime friends, and she opened for him on the European dates of his 2018 Divide tour. Sheeran has written two songs for Anne-Marie: "2002" and "Beautiful."

    American songwriters Akil "Worldwide Fresh" King and Feli Ferraro. The pair co-wrote Coi Leray's "Players" single.

    Producers Tobias "Toby Green" Frederiksen and Mike "Mikkel Cox" Hawkins. They've collaborated with Guetta on several previous occasions, including on Galantis' "Heartbreak Anthem" and Rita Ora's "Big."
  • David Guetta premiered "Baby Don't Hurt Me" during his March 26, 2023, set at Ultra Music Festival.
  • The catchy melody and simple lyrics of "What Is Love" have made it a popular choice for sampling and covers. Other artists who have borrowed from or covered Haddaway's Eurodance hit include:

    Eminem and Lil Wayne for "No Love" from Eminem's 2010 album, Recovery.

    Young Thug's 2014 track "Oh Ya" samples the chorus of "What Is Love."

    Canadian singer Kiesza covered "What Is Love" in 2014, transforming it into a vulnerable, heart-rending ballad.

    Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies cover titled "What Is Love 2016" became a hit on several European singles charts and topped the Belgian Ultratop Official Singles Chart.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.