"What" is a song and single written by H. B. Barnum, performed by Melinda Marx and released in 1965.
[2] In 1968 in Hollywood, California, Judy Street recorded "What", on the Strider label, as a B-side of "You Turn Me On".
[2][3] The record was exported to England and it was picked up by DJs at Wigan Casino, a major nightclub in the northern soul music scene.
[4][5][6] Following a resurgence of popularity for northern soul music in England in 1977, the song was re-released,[3] and again in 1982 with a B-side by Hi-Fly.
[4] English synth-pop/new wave duo Soft Cell released a cover of the song in July 1982 as the only single from their remix album Non Stop Ecstatic Dancing.