Don’t You Know What Love Is

The song "Don’t You Know What Love Is" by Touch from their album The Complete Works is a vibrant slice of early 1980s rock, pulsing with the energy of a band eager to make their mark. Released in 1980, the track captures the raw, anthemic sound of AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) with its soaring vocals and driving guitar riffs. While specific interviews or social media posts from Touch about this song are scarce due to the band’s limited digital footprint and the era predating modern platforms, the song’s enduring appeal lies in its universal theme of questioning love’s complexities. Fans on platforms like YouTube often comment on its nostalgic vibe, with one user noting, “This takes me back to cruising with my friends in ’81, radio blasting.” The track’s inclusion in The Complete Works, a compilation of Touch’s brief but impactful output, underscores its status as a fan favorite among “Zoo Freaks” tuning into THE ZOO’s retro spins.

Trivia about "Don’t You Know What Love Is" highlights its role in Touch’s fleeting moment in the spotlight. The song was produced during a time when Touch was touring with major acts like Journey and Foreigner, which influenced its polished yet gritty sound. According to a fan discussion on the AOR Rock Fan Group on Facebook, the track was a staple in Touch’s live sets, often extended with improvised guitar solos that got crowds roaring. Though Touch didn’t achieve mainstream success, the song’s cult following persists, with collectors on sites like Discogs praising its vinyl pressings for their warm, dynamic sound. The lack of direct quotes from the band about the song adds to its mystique, as fans speculate about the romantic turmoil that inspired its heartfelt lyrics.

Touch, formed in the late 1970s in the United States, was a band that burned brightly but briefly. Led by vocalist and keyboardist Mark Mangold, the group emerged from the New York rock scene with a sound blending progressive rock’s complexity with the accessibility of melodic rock. Mangold, who had previously played in bands like American Tears, brought a songwriting sensibility that caught the attention of Columbia Records. According to bio details from AllMusic, Touch started when Mangold teamed up with guitarist Glenn Kithcart, bassist Doug Howard, and drummer Craig Brooks, aiming to craft music that was both emotionally resonant and radio-friendly. Their self-titled debut in 1980, which included "Don’t You Know What Love Is," was their high-water mark, earning airplay on rock stations and opening doors to tour with bigger names.

The band’s origins trace back to Mangold’s relentless hustle in the music scene. As noted in a bio on Mark Mangold’s official website, he was a multi-instrumentalist with a knack for writing hook-heavy songs. After American Tears dissolved, Mangold sought a fresh start, recruiting musicians who shared his vision for a sound that could rival the likes of Styx or Toto. Touch’s early gigs in New York clubs like CBGB honed their live chemistry, and their signing with Columbia was a testament to their potential. Though the band disbanded by the mid-1980s due to shifting industry trends and internal changes, Mangold continued writing and producing for other artists, cementing his legacy in AOR circles.

For fans wanting to dive deeper, Touch’s official online presence is limited but traceable. Mark Mangold maintains an active site at markmangold.com, where he shares updates about his ongoing projects and occasional nods to Touch’s legacy. The band’s Facebook page, managed by Mangold, features posts about reissues of Touch’s music and fan interactions. On Instagram, Mangold occasionally shares throwback photos of Touch’s heyday, though the band itself doesn’t have a dedicated account. No official X account exists for Touch, but fans discuss the band on the platform using hashtags like #AOR or #TouchBand. Fan communities thrive in places like the AOR Rock Fan Group on Facebook, where “Zoo Freaks” might find kindred spirits swapping stories about "Don’t You Know What Love Is." For vinyl hunters, MelodicRock.com is a fan-driven site that often covers Touch’s discography and reissue news.