The Beauty of Giving Away | What You Give | Tesla

"What You Give" is a melodious track by the American rock band, Tesla. The song, which beautifully combines elements of hard rock and blues influences, takes listeners on an exploration of the meaning of true love and the importance of giving in relationships.

Streaming through the band's 1991 album, "Psychotic Supper", this lyrical masterpiece has since then become a classic anthem for rock ballad enthusiasts. The song reached number 20 on the 'Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks,' reinforcing Tesla's status in the genre and imprinting a mark onto the larger music scene.

At its heart, "What You Give" is a love song, but not in the conventional sense. It eschews the common tropes of passion, lust, and heartbreak, instead focusing on the ideal of selflessness. Its lyrics echo the philosophy that love is about what one gives, not what one gets. This expressive insight taps into the depth of genuine relationships, emphasizing that love, at its most real, does not equate to material possessions but the emotional acts of giving, sharing, and caring.

Throughout the song, Tesla stresses the importance of giving within relationships. The line "It's not whatcha got, it's what you give," explicitly reinforces this theme, pushing listeners to introspect and examine their own relationships under this light. These lyrics, along with the soulful melodies, make the song universally relatable.

In terms of musicality, "What You Give" showcases Tesla's ability to evoke emotions through their music. The layered guitar riffs, combined with the compelling vocal performance, creates a rich sonic experience. The band's hard rock roots resonate through the powerful chords, while the tenderness of the lyrics softens the experience, making it a crossover between a pure rock and a soulful ballad.

Following the release of the song, Tesla’s popularity soared, drawing in a mix of rock and blues fans. The accessible yet deep theme of the song further amplified Tesla's mainstream success, letting them reach a larger audience that resonates with their message.

In conclusion, "What You Give" by Tesla underscores the beauty and honesty of giving in relationships, an ideal often overlooked in popular music. It is the fusion of the band's characteristic hard rock sound with thought-provoking lyrics that makes this song stand out, ensuring its long-lasting impact on listeners worldwide.