Jean moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine, then to Northern New Jersey, where he began playing the guitar and studying jazz in his high school. In 1987, Jean, his friend (so close they told people they were cousins growing up) Prakazrel Michel (Pras) and his classmate, Lauryn Hill, formed a group called the Tranzlator Crew before becoming The Fugees. Wyclef worked as a cabdriver.
Recently he has been finding success as a collaborator - with his turn on Shakira's 2006 track 'Hips Don't Lie' hitting number one in many countries around the world.
In August of 2010, Jean announced his intent to seek the presidency of Haiti. This move came after his increasingly-high profile humanitarian work in the wake of the earthquake that devastated that nation.
What Happened To Love
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm just getting back from the tour
I got one thing to say, man
Guitar please
Bass man, are you with me?
How's my drummer?
Get funky on 'em
Celebrate tonight like New Year's
Let's cheers 'cause love's in the air
Jealous girls looking at you with the hate stare
You still got slang, you're my boogie bang bang
In the middle of the night when you do the wild thing
Baby baby love the way you ting-a-ling-a-ling
So hot, fire alarm, ring-a-ling-a-ling
You never have to be alone
I swear that you're the only one
You know with me you've found your home
(Let me get a little more keyboard please)
One day girl, we'll be looking back
I'll kiss you then you'll kiss me back
You know you'll never have to ask
What happened to love
Girl, it's as good as it always was
What happened to love
Girl, it's as good as it always was (let's do it)
But you gave on up it, up on it baby (oh yeah)
But you've been feeling it, feeling it lately
What happened to love
Girl, it's as good as it always was (talk to 'em Clef)
They don't wanna love like this no more
They don't serenade like this no more
They don't wanna get no ring no more
All they want is a cookie, no X, no O's
I ain't gonna put you on the 'Gram exposed
Call me mister big, we can keep it on the low
Bubble bath in the the tub and the lights get dim
My tongue speaks French when I tell you "Je t'aime" (let's go)
You never have to be alone
I swear that you're the only one
You know with me you've found your home
One day girl, we'll be looking back
I'll kiss you then you'll kiss me back
You know you'll never have to ask
What happened to love
Girl, it's as good as it always was
What happened to love
Girl, it's as good as it always was (let's do it)
But you gave on up it, up on it baby (oh yeah)
But you've been feeling it, feeling it lately
What happened to love
Girl, it's as good as it always was
(If you're having a good time right now, put your hands as high as I can see them)
Hands up like I stick up the place, yeah
Hands up like I stick up the place, yeah
Hands up like I stick up the place
All I do is bring that bass, let's go
Hands up like I stick up the place, yeah
Hands up like I stick up the place, yeah
Hands up like I stick up the place
All I do is bring that bass, let's go
You never have to be alone
I swear that you're the only one
You know with me you've found your home
(This is for you, for you and for you girl)
One day girl, we'll be looking back
I'll kiss you then you'll kiss me back
You know you'll never have to ask
What happened to love
Girl, it's as good as it always was
What happened to love
Girl, it's as good as it always was (let's do it)
But you gave on up it, up on it baby (oh yeah)
But you've been feeling it, feeling it lately
What happened to love (yeah, yeah)
Girl, it's as good as it always was
My guitar please
In "What Happened To Love," Wyclef Jean reminisces about the golden era of love and romance, highlighting how it seems to have faded in contemporary times. He begins by expressing his admiration for his partner, emphasizing that they should celebrate their love and ignore any negative energy from jealous onlookers. Wyclef describes their passionate connection, using playful imagery like "ting-a-ling-a-ling" and "wild thing." He assures his partner that they will never be alone and that he is their home, promising a future in which they will look back on their love and continue to cherish each other.
The chorus laments the current state of love, emphasizing that it should be as beautiful as it once was. Wyclef criticizes the shallow relationships of the present, where people are only interested in immediate gratification without any long-lasting commitment. He refuses to exploit their love on social media, preferring to keep their intimacy private. Wyclef ends the song on a high note, encouraging the audience to raise their hands and enjoy the music, reminding everyone that love can still be powerful and enduring.
Line by Line Meaning
Looka looka here, your man's right here
Take a close look, I'm right here
Celebrate tonight like New Year's
Let's have a celebration tonight, just like on New Year's
Let's cheers 'cause love's in the air
Let's raise our glasses and celebrate because love is present
Jealous girls looking at you with the hate stare
Girls who are envious are giving you looks of disapproval
You still got slang, you're my boogie bang bang
You still possess a unique style and energy
In the middle of the night when you do the wild thing
When you engage in passionate moments in the middle of the night
Baby baby love the way you ting-a-ling-a-ling
Darling, I love the way you sound and move
So hot, fire alarm, ring-a-ling-a-ling
You're incredibly attractive, like a fire that sets off alarms
You never have to be alone
You never need to feel lonely
I swear that you're the only one
I promise that you're the one and only for me
You know with me you've found your home
You know that being with me feels like being at home
One day girl, we'll be looking back
Someday, we'll reminisce about our past
I'll kiss you then you'll kiss me back
I will initiate a kiss and you'll respond by kissing me back
You know you'll never have to ask
You already know that you never need to question it
They don't wanna love like this no more
People nowadays don't want to experience love in the same way anymore
They don't serenade like this no more
Serenading someone with music and singing is rare these days
They don't wanna get no ring no more
People aren't interested in commitment and marriage like before
All they want is a cookie, no X, no O's
All they desire is a casual and superficial relationship, without any emotional attachment
I ain't gonna put you on the 'Gram exposed
I won't reveal intimate details about our relationship on social media
Call me mister big, we can keep it on the low
You can call me the confident and influential partner, and we can keep our relationship discreet
Bubble bath in the tub and the lights get dim
We'll enjoy a relaxing bubble bath together with dimmed lights
My tongue speaks French when I tell you 'Je t'aime'
When I express my love to you, it sounds like the romantic language of French
Hands up like I stick up the place, yeah
Raise your hands as if I'm robbing the place, yeah
All I do is bring that bass, let's go
I'm here to provide the impactful and groovy bass, let's begin
This is for you, for you and for you girl
This song is dedicated to you, to you, and specifically to you, girl
My guitar please
Please pass me my guitar
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN RUTTNER, JACOB KASHER HINDLIN, JAMES PATTERSON, MADELINE NELSON, ROSS CLARK, WYCLEF JEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
abc xyz
This song deserves wayyy more views. Such a great song
Alan KS
something I'd play on my stereo any given day when cruising on the street. Nice new music Wyclef, missing your music man.
Adinett Nsabimana
When you speak, breathe, talk, live music it shows. He's a genius, always has been.
FRS_Heero
True
Uzochukwu Okaro
No school like the old schooled much respect to my living legend you always put up a great show 🖤
Tidi
How does this song only have 700000 views?? This song is awesome
Kiara Rose
Welcome back Wyclef I'm glad that you're and great as ever 😇
Z Malek
These kids don't know about the good ol days of the Fugees. Always touched my soul
don safi
true
L’Homo Sui-generis
Such a great musician, so eclectic but underrated