Originally published in 2003 on NE20.com (inactive)
“If it isn’t love
Why does it hurt so bad”
Synopsis
“If It Isn’t Love” starts with a drum roll, announcing the beginning of NE’s adulthood. This song sounds like nothing performed by NE before.
This is the best produced song on Heart Break. Jam and Lewis push the envelope with this song, based almost entirely on beats, melodic rhythms and metallic sounds. These elements would reappear in overdrive on Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814.
We hear what we now recognize as Ralph Tresvant’s voice. His voice has more depth and edge, and he sings in a slightly lower register. The direct comparison to a young Michael Jackson no longer holds.
Commentary
I like the irony in this song. The man is trying to figure out if he’s in love, but he’s determining this not by how good he feels but by how much pain he’s experiencing. The message is clear: love is confusing and often hurts.
I recall two visual memories associated with this song. One was the music video, which shows the group working hard to be great entertainers. The other was a documentary I saw on TV. I can’t remember the exact details, but I remember one of the producers telling the group to articulate while singing background vocals for the song.
Will Leon 