55 Best Songs That Ask a Question in the Title or Lyrics

“What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner

Song year: 1984

Consistently ranking as one of the greatest songs of all time, Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It” is the most successful single of her storied career.

Turner’s passionate vocals underscore the lust versus love lyrics of “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Far from bawdy, the song is an anthem of empowerment.

“(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Song year: 1978

Elvis Costello had a reputation as an angry young man in the late 70s. It was ironic then that Costello would hit paydirt with a song called “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding.”

Though written by Nick Lowe, Costello and The Attractions’ spirited take ensured the song would live on with its enduring question.

“How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston

Song year: 1985

By asking the question every other lovesick teen does when they develop a crush, Whitney Houston found a massive audience with “How Will I Know.”

Set to funky synthesizers and exploding with joy in the chorus, the pangs of excitement and self-doubt during puppy love become pop perfection on “How Will I Know.”

“Is She Really Going Out with Him?” by Joe Jackson

Song year: 1979

Joe Jackson captured the resentful ire of passed-over lovers on his new wave hit “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” Long before terms like “friend zone” would become the norm, Jackson and his band gave a spirited anthem to the forgotten.

Jackson would evolve as an artist into the 80s, but “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” remains a new wave classic.

“Do You Realize??” by The Flaming Lips

Song year: 2002

It isn’t often that pop songs tackle mortality, let alone as beautifully as The Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” The Flaming Lips had experienced modest success through the 80s and 90s, but after 2002’s Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, the band became a household name.

Through quirky instrumentation and meditations on death, The Flaming Lips created a classic song that asks big questions.

“Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” by Culture Club

Song year: 1982

Boy George and Culture Club let themselves be vulnerable on the 80s pop classic, “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.” The song made heartbreak a head-bopping affair with reggae undertones and a catchy chorus.

Coupled with a video highlighting Boy George’s outlandish aesthetic, “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” is a unique and lasting testament to 80s culture.

“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder

Song year: 1976

There aren’t as many experiences in life as lovely as welcoming a new child into the world. Stevie Wonder captures the joy of parenthood by asking a simple question in his ode to his daughter, “Isn’t She Lovely.”

In Wonder’s typical fashion, “Isn’t She Lovely” is a funky slice of soul and has become a standard in the pop world.

“What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” by R.E.M.

Song year: 1994

As an obtuse reference to an assault of news anchor Dan Rather, “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” continues the R.E.M. tradition of opaque lyricism delivered in a mumbling manner. But when the songs rock this hard, it’s hard not to at least try to sing along.

“What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” by Jimmy Ruffin

Song year: 1966

Standing in the shadows of The Temptations’ David Ruffin, older brother Jimmy Ruffin’s Motown career also yielded several hit songs. His classic ode to broken hearts, “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,” is a standard of the golden era of Motown.

Ruffin charted twice with “What Become of the Brokenhearted,” and the song is considered one of the best of Motown Records.

“Who Are You” by The Who

Song year: 1978

The meaning behind The Who’s “Who Are You” is an aggregate of several personal experiences of guitarist Pete Townshend. But the song’s simple chorus and fiery delivery have made it a chest-thumping for generations.

“Who Are You” would be one of the last songs recorded before the death of drummer Keith Moon, and it stands as the final hit from their classic line-up.

“Why Can’t This Be Love” by Van Halen

Song year: 1986

Some people refuse to recognize Van Halen after the departure of David Lee Roth in 1985. I am inclined to agree that Van Hagar is an inferior band, but it’s hard to deny Sammy Hagar and company on their arena-rock anthem “Why Can’t This Be Love.”

Van Halen’s incorporation of synthesizers inspired legions of hard rock bands to follow suit, changing the face of rock and roll.