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
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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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.
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Here’s to keeping fingers crossed Bonnie will be back on the road. If you get a chance in the future, I highly recommend seeing her. You’re gonna love her. I know that for a fact, Max!
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I will man…I’m going to more concerts when ever this crap is over with.
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Sorry I didn’t see the bottom… I really like John Hiatt. I do like his version also… a little more in your face but both are great.
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Look what I just found. A clip of the entire Bonnie Raitt show I saw. It’s pretty decent quality! 🙂
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Cool thanks Christian! I’m watching it right now.
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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!
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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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Have you ever used a slide on your bass guitar Max?
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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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First time hearing Hiatt’s original. I like what he does with the guitar on it. He does a great job singing on this also.
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That is a sign of perseverance. Going at it for 11 years and finally hitting Platinum. Well deserved!
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Another fine single of which Bonnie had quite a few of in that era.
Seems like most of comments I tried to post this morn didn’ t post…oh that new WordPress software.
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I hate the new WP…I mean hate is too light of word Dave.
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I love Bonnie Raitt. She and Dennis Quaid were both so beautiful back in 1989.
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Yes they were… and we were better looking also! Lol..I was so happy for her when this came out and it hit so big. She really paid her dues.
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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.
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This is the one I like the best no doubt…I like John’s version also.
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Love Bonnie from this time period. Her voice was so seasoned and perfect and anything she put out at that time was awesome. I haven’t listened in awhile so this is a good reminder to pull some of her stuff out.
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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.
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