Bonnie Raitt – Thing Called Love

Thing Called Love was written by John Hiatt for his 1987 album Bring the Family. Bonnie covered this song for her 1989 Nick of Time album.  

Nick of Time was Bonnie Raitt’s breakthrough album. After years of endless touring and making albums it all paid off with this album. Nick of Time peaked at #1 in the Billboard Album Charts and 3× Platinum in Canada.

The song peaked at #11 in the Billboard 100 in 1989. This is the song that really got me into the newer version Bonnie Raitt. I did like her earlier hit Runaway and I’d heard of her music and read about her. She paid her dues and I was happy to see her hit big. She is an extremely gifted slide guitar player and singer.

Bonnie Raitt on the video:

“VH1 was new, and there was an outlet for me to get that kind of exposure. I said that if Dennis Quaid, who was a good buddy of mine, would star in the video as my boyfriend, then I could act more flirty than if I tried to act like that in front of the camera. Because I’m not an actress, and I wasn’t used to videos. The way the song sounds so sexy, I said, that would make me more comfortable and relaxed.

“He said yes, and all my fears went away. Basically I was blushing the whole way, throwin’ it back at him, and he was suckin’ on a toothpick…. The combination of all those things made [the album] Nick of Time an amazing breakthrough.”

Thing Called Love

Don’t have to humble yourself to me,
I ain’t your judge or your king
Baby, you know I ain’t no queen of Sheba
We may not even have our dignity,
This could be just a powerful thing
Baby we can choose you know we ain’t no amoeba

Are you ready for the thing called love
Don’t come from me and you,
It comes from up above
I ain’t no porcupine,
Take off your kid gloves
Are you ready for the thing called love
I ain’t some icon carved out of soap
Sent here to clean up your reputation
Baby, you know you ain’t no prince charming
We can live in fear or act out of hope
For some kind of peaceful situation
Baby, how come the cry of love is so alarming

Ugly ducklings don’t turn into swans
And glide off down the lake
Whether your sunglasses are off or on
You only see the world you make

Are you ready for the thing called love
Don’t come from me and you,
It comes from up above
I ain’t no porcupine,
Take off your kid gloves

Are you ready for it
Are you ready for the thing called love
Don’t come from me and you,
It comes from up above
I ain’t no porcupine,
Take off your kid gloves

Are you ready for it
Are you ready for love, baby
Oooh yeah babe
Are you ready for love

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball fan, old movie and tv show fan... and a songwriter, bass and guitar player.

22 thoughts on “Bonnie Raitt – Thing Called Love”

  1. Great pick. I just love Bonnie Raitt. She’s an outstanding guitarist with a great voice. She also comes across as very genuine. What you see is what you get. There’s never any BS with Bonnie. She’s a true class act in my book!

    I was fortunate to see her in August 2016, which hands down was one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to – would love catching her again! I seem to recall reading she’s had some health issues, so hopefully she’ll be back on the road when this crazy pandemic is over.

    I also like John Hiatt’s original version of the tune. He’s a great writer, and I think Bonnie has covered a few other songs by him. I guess “Thing Called Love” was the most successful one. The entire “Nick of Time” album is a true gem.

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    1. Again I’m jealous Christian. I’ve never seen her before but always wanted to. Yes her guitar playing and voice are top notch.
      She sure did pay her dues! I’m glad she never gave up.

      Liked by 1 person

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  2. Love Bonnie, seen her multiple times in concert, and she’s always generous with audience. You get the feeling she is talking just to you.

    Great choice, and John Hiatt is fabulous too.

    Enjoy your Sunday!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. I’m jealous Eden…After all of this stuff is over with I will see more concerts…when your chance is taken away…you don’t take things for granted anymore!
      I hope you have a great Sunday and week Eden!

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    1. Not on my bass but I have played a little slide guitar. It’s an exact science…if you slide a little too far or too short…you are out. It’s fun though…I wish I would have started younger on slide.

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  8. I love me some Bonnie. And, you don’t hear this on the radio anymore. It’s either Something to Talk About or I Can’t Make You Love Me.

    It’s cool seeing a young Dennis Quaid. God, what Cheshire Grin he had.

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. When I hear this song I always think of one of the times I saw John Hiatt- early to mid 90’s in introducing the song he thanked Bonnie Raitt for covering it- and that is helped them keep a fresh set of tires on the tour bus. Hiatt was can’t miss for about a decade and a half.

    Liked by 1 person

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