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"What Is Life"
US picture sleeve
Single by George Harrison
from the album All Things Must Pass
A-side"My Sweet Lord" (UK)
B-side"Apple Scruffs" (except UK)
Released15 February 1971 (US)
GenreRock, soul
Length4:22
LabelApple
SongwriterGeorge Harrison
ProducersGeorge Harrison, Phil Spector
George Harrison singles chronology
"My Sweet Lord" / "Isn't It a Pity"
(1970) 		"What Is Life"
(1971) 		"Bangla Desh"
(1971)
Music video
"What Is Life" (Official Music Video) on YouTube

"What Is Life" is a song by the English rock musician George Harrison from his 1970 triple album All Things Must Pass. In many countries, it was issued as the second single from the album, in February 1971, becoming a top-ten hit in the United States, Canada and elsewhere, and topping singles charts in Australia and Switzerland. In the United Kingdom, "What Is Life" appeared as the B-side to "My Sweet Lord", which was the best-selling single there of 1971. Harrison's backing musicians on the song include Eric Clapton and the entire Delaney & Bonnie and Friends band, with whom he had toured during the final months of the Beatles. Harrison co-produced the recording with Phil Spector, whose Wall of Sound production also employed a prominent string arrangement by John Barham and multiple acoustic rhythm guitars, played by Harrison's fellow Apple Records signings Badfinger.

An uptempo soul tune, "What Is Life" is one of several Harrison love songs that appear to be directed at both a woman and a deity. Harrison wrote the song in 1969 and originally intended it as a track for his friend and Apple protégé Billy Preston to record. Built around a descending guitar riff, it is one of Harrison's most popular compositions and was a regular inclusion in his live performances. Rolling Stone magazine has variously described it as a "classic"[1] and an "exultant song of surrender".[2]

"What Is Life" has appeared in the soundtrack for feature films such as Goodfellas (1990), Patch Adams (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Away We Go (2009), This Is 40 (2012) and Instant Family (2018). Harrison's original recording was included on the compilations The Best of George Harrison and Let It Roll, and live versions appear on his album Live in Japan (1992) and in Martin Scorsese's 2011 documentary George Harrison: Living in the Material World. In 1972, Olivia Newton-John had a UK hit with her version of the song. Ronnie Aldrich, the Ventures and Shawn Mullins are among the other artists who have covered the track.

Background

[edit]

Even before his temporary departure from the Beatles in January 1969 (documented in the song "Wah-Wah"),[3] their Apple Records label was an "emancipating force" for Harrison from the creative restrictions imposed on him within the band, according to his musical biographer, Simon Leng.[4] In his article on All Things Must Pass for Mojo magazine, John Harris has written of Harrison's journey as a solo artist beginning in November 1968 – when he spent time in Woodstock with Bob Dylan and the Band – and incorporating a series of other collaborations through the following eighteen months, including various Apple projects and a support role on Delaney & Bonnie and Friends' brief European tour.[5] One of these projects, carried out intermittently from April to July 1969,[6] was his production of That's the Way God Planned It, an album by Billy Preston, whom Harrison had met during the Beatles' Hamburg years and had recently been recruited to guest on the band's troubled Get Back sessions.[7][8] It was while driving up to a Preston session in London from his home in Esher, Surrey, that Harrison came up with the song "What Is Life".[9]

In his autobiography, I, Me, Mine, Harrison describes it as having been written "very quickly" and recalls that he thought it would be a perfect, "catchy pop song" for Preston to record.[10][11] He adds that he changed his mind once he arrived at Olympic Studios and found Preston working on more typical material – or "playing his funky stuff".[10][9] Rather than attempt it with the Beatles during the band's concurrent Abbey Road sessions, Harrison stockpiled "What Is Life" with his many other unused songs from the period, including "All Things Must Pass", "Let It Down", "I'd Have You Anytime" and "Run of the Mill".[12] He revisited it a year later, after completing work on Preston's second Apple album, Encouraging Words.[13]

Composition

[edit]

Harrison biographer Simon Leng describes "What Is Life" as "Motown-spiced" and a comparatively rare example of its composer's willingness to embrace the role of "entertainer" in his songwriting.[14] The song is defined by Harrison's descending guitar riff,[2][15] which also serves as the motif for the chorus.[16] Author Alan Clayson describes "What Is Life" as a seemingly "lovey-dovey pop song" that "craftily renewed the simplistic tonic-to-dominant riff cliché".[17]

The lyrics have a universal quality, being both simple and uplifting.[16][18] Their meaning has caused some debate among biographers and music critics, as to whether "What Is Life" should be viewed as a straightforward love song – perhaps a "lovingly crafted paean" to Harrison's wife Pattie Boyd, in Clayson's description[19] – or a devotional song like many of Harrison's compositions.[16][20] Ian Inglis writes that the song title suggests a "philosophical debate about the meaning of life", yet its rendering as "what is my life" in the choruses "reshapes [the meaning] completely".[18]

Theologian Dale Allison finds no religious content in "What Is Life" but comments that the "failure of words to express feelings" implied in the opening line ("What I feel, I can't say") is a recurring theme in Harrison's spiritual songs.[21][nb 1] Joshua Greene, another religious academic, identifies the song as part of its parent album's "intimately detailed account of a spiritual journey": where "Awaiting on You All" shows Harrison "convinced of his union with God", "What Is Life" reveals him to be "uncertain that he deserved such divine favor".[23] According to musicologist Thomas MacFarlane, the ambiguity in the lyrics suggests a connection between spiritual and physical love.[15]

The second verse repeats what Inglis refers to as the "somewhat confusing promise" from Harrison (in lines 3 and 4) should his love be "rejected":[18]

What I know, I can do
If I give my love out to everyone like you
But if it's not love that you need
Then I'll try my best to make everything succeed.

Recording

[edit]

By May 1970, having recently collaborated with "genuine R&B heavy-weights" such as Doris Troy and Preston, as well as participating in the "blue-eyed soul"[24] Delaney & Bonnie European tour, along with Eric Clapton, the previous December, Harrison was well placed to record "What Is Life", Leng observes.[25] With Phil Spector as co-producer and all the Friends team on hand, the song was among the first tracks taped for Harrison's debut post-Beatles solo album;[26] recording took place at Abbey Road Studios in London, during late May or early June.[26][27] The same core of musicians – Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, Jim Gordon, Bobby Keys and Jim Price – would similarly elevate other All Things Must Pass tracks such as "Awaiting on You All", "Art of Dying" and "Hear Me Lord".[28] According to Keys, he and Price overdubbed their horns parts at a later session at Abbey Road.[29][nb 2]

The track opens with Harrison playing the fuzztone guitar riff,[31] which is then joined by Radle's bass and "churning" rhythm guitar from Clapton, before Gordon's drums bring the full band in.[9][32] During the verses, Gordon moves to a square, Motown-style beat – or "rock-steady Northern soul backbeat" in Leng's words[25] – before returning to the "galloping rhythm" of the more open, "knockout" choruses.[2] The song is driven equally by Badfinger drummer Mike Gibbins' powerful tambourine work.[17]

On "What Is Life", Spector provided what music critic David Fricke terms "echo-drenched theater", in the form of reverb-heavy brass, soaring strings (arranged by John Barham) and "a choir of multitracked Harrisons".[2] Barham stayed at Harrison's new home, Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames,[33] and created the scores for "What Is Life" and other songs from melodies that Harrison sang or played to him on piano or guitar.[34] Barham says that, for inspiration, Harrison also played him Spector productions such as Checkmates, Ltd.'s "Proud Mary".[35][nb 3] In his autobiography, Every Night's a Saturday Night, Keys recalls that Harrison and Price worked out the horn arrangement together at the overdubbing session.[36] In MacFarlane's description, the strings provide a complementary countermelody to the guitar riff, while the horns' combination of "uptown soul and mariachi" heightens and expands the track's musical colour.[37]

After recording the album's backing tracks with Spector, Harrison carried out most of the overdubbing without him, working at Trident Studios with former Beatles engineer Ken Scott.[38][39] The song's vocals and strings, along with a brief slide-guitar commentary from Harrison over the final verse,[16] were overdubbed at Trident.[40] Dated 19 August, Spector's written comments on Harrison's early mix of the song had suggested a "proper background voice" was still needed.[41] Harrison performed all the chorus vocals himself[15] and credited them to "the George O'Hara-Smith Singers".[42] Spector was impressed with Harrison's dedication in the studio, saying, "He was a great harmoniser ... he could do all the [vocal] parts himself" and rating Harrison "one of the most commercial musicians and songwriters and quintessential players I've ever known in my entire career".[43]

Release and reception

[edit]
Tom Wilkes's original poster design for All Things Must Pass. Part of the top portion was instead used for the US picture sleeve for the "What Is Life" single.

"What Is Life" was released in late November 1970 as the first track on side two of All Things Must Pass, in its original, triple LP format.[44][45] Along with "My Sweet Lord" and "Isn't It a Pity", the song had already been identified as a potential hit single by Allan Steckler, manager of Apple's US operation.[45] Backed by "Apple Scruffs", "What Is Life" was issued as a single in America on 15 February 1971 (as Apple 1828), just as the "My Sweet Lord" / "Isn't It a Pity" double A-side was slipping out of the top ten.[46][47] Billboard magazine's reviewer described "What Is Life" and "Apple Scruffs" as "intriguing rhythm follows-ups" to the first single, which were "sure to repeat that success" and "should prove big juke box items".[48] Record World called it "perhaps the most commercial cut" from All Things Must Pass.[49]

While describing the initial impact of All Things Must Pass, author Robert Rodriguez includes the song as an illustration of how the depth of Harrison's talents had been "hidden in plain sight" behind John Lennon and Paul McCartney during the Beatles' career.[50] The album introduced Harrison as an overtly spiritual songwriter who sought to connect with his audience on a "higher level" compared with the populist approach of McCartney or the confrontationalism adopted by Lennon. Rodriguez concludes: "That the Quiet Beatle was capable of such range – from the joyful 'What Is Life' to the meditative 'Isn't It a Pity' to the steamrolling 'Art of Dying' to the playful 'I Dig Love' – was truly revelatory."[50]

The front of the single's US picture sleeve consisted of a photo of Harrison playing guitar inside the central tower of Friar Park.[51] The tower's sole, octagonal-shaped room was an area that Harrison had adopted as his personal temple and meditation space.[52] This picture was taken by photographer Barry Feinstein, whose Camouflage Productions partner, Tom Wilkes, originally used it as part of an elaborate poster intended as an insert in the album package. The poster featured a painting of the Hindu deity Krishna watching a group of naked maidens beside a bathing pond.[53] Harrison apparently felt uncomfortable with the symbolism in Wilkes's design – the Friar Park tower image filled the top half of the poster, floating among clouds above the Krishna scene – so Wilkes abandoned the concept and instead used a darkened photo of Harrison inside the house as the album poster.[54][nb 4] In Denmark, the picture sleeve consisted of four shots of Harrison, again with guitar,[56] taken on stage during the Delaney & Bonnie tour.[57]

As with the parent album, the single was a commercial and critical success.[58] "What Is Life" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100[59] and number 7 on Cash Box's Top 100 chart,[60] making Harrison the first ex-Beatle to have two top-ten hits in the United States.[61][62] The single climbed to number 1 in Switzerland[63] and on Australia's Go-Set National Top 60,[64] and reached the top three elsewhere in Europe and in Canada.[65] In Britain, where Harrison had resisted issuing a single from All Things Must Pass until midway through January,[66] "What Is Life" appeared as the B-side of "My Sweet Lord".[67] The record became the top-selling single of 1971 in that country.[68]

Retrospective assessments and legacy

[edit]

"What Is Life" is one of Harrison's most commercial and popular songs[69] – a "spiritual guitar quest" that "became [a] classic", according to Rolling Stone magazine.[1] In their Solo Beatles Compendium, authors Chip Madinger and Mark Easter refer to it as an "intensely catchy track" and view its pairing with "My Sweet Lord" in the UK as perhaps the strongest of all of Harrison's singles.[26] Writing in 1981, NME critic Bob Woffinden grouped "What Is Life" with "My Sweet Lord", "Isn't It a Pity" and "Awaiting on You All" as "all excellent songs".[70]

Reviewing the 2001 reissue of All Things Must Pass, for Rolling Stone, James Hunter wrote of how the album's music "exults in breezy rhythms", among which "the colorful revolutions of 'What Is Life' ... [move] like a Ferris wheel".[71] The following year, in Rolling Stone Press's Harrison tribute book, David Fricke included "What Is Life" among his selection of "essential Harrison performances" (just three of which date from the ex-Beatle's solo years) and described the track as an "exultant song of surrender", abetted by Harrison's "pumping fuzz guitar" and the song's "singalong magnetism".[72] AllMusic's Richie Unterberger similarly praises "What Is Life" for its "anthemic" qualities, "particularly snazzy horn lines", and a guitar riff that is "one more entry in the catalog of George Harrison's book of arresting, low, descending guitar lines".[16]

Writing in the book 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die, author Tom Moon refers to "the upbeat single 'What Is Life'" as an example of how Harrison "grabs what he needs from his old band – that insinuating hook sense – and uses it to frame an utterly comfortable metaphysical discourse".[73] Simon Leng credits Harrison's "innate ability to write very fine pop-rock songs" and deems the result "as innovative an exercise in rock-soul as the Temptations' 'Cloud Nine'".[25] Ian Inglis is less enthusiastic, acknowledging that Barham's orchestration and the other musicians give the track "undoubted excitement and energy", but lamenting that the song offers "little overall coherence between words and music".[18] In Thomas MacFarlane's view, "What Is Life" is a "remarkable pop song" that "takes the tone and attitude of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound and channels it through the prism of the late-period Beatles".[74]

Writing for Q magazine in 2002, John Harris said the "widescreen sound" of All Things Must Pass tracks such as "What Is Life" was a forerunner to recordings by ELO and Oasis.[75] PopMatters' Jason Korenkiewicz describes the song as a "jangle pop masterpiece and blueprint for the Britpop movement", adding that "Harrison's musical legacy has contributed greatly to the exuberance of Britpop in the '90s."[76] The track is said to be a favourite of Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl,[2] who titled his 1995 song "Oh, George" in tribute to Harrison.[77] Guitarist Steve Lukather also named it as a favourite, adding of All Things Must Pass: "there is a LOT of deep soul music in those grooves."[78]

Michael Galluci of Ultimate Classic Rock placed "What Is Life" second (behind "My Sweet Lord") in his list titled "Top 10 George Harrison Songs". Galluci wrote of the track having "a giant pop hook as its guide" as well as "the catchiest chorus Harrison ever penned".[31] In 2009, Matt Melis of Consequence of Sound listed it sixth among his "Top Ten Songs by Ex-Beatles", writing: "it's arguable that Harrison's All Things Must Pass is the best solo album put out by a Beatle. 'What is Life' … with its riff-driven bounce, soaring harmonies on the choruses, and perfectly placed sax and trumpet, [is] probably Harrison's catchiest pop song."[79] In the 2005 publication NME Originals: Beatles – The Solo Years 1970–1980, Adrian Thrills rated it first among Harrison's "ten solo gems", adding: "One of Harrison's greatest guitar riffs – brilliant pop."[80] "What Is Life" topped a similar list in Paste magazine, where Madison Desler writes: "Another ambiguous love song that could be directed at a woman or a higher power, 'What Is Life' explodes jubilantly, a rare moment of pure celebration for Harrison." She also describes the track as "an onion of pop gold that reveals different parts of itself the more you listen to it" and "a staple of pop culture" due to the song's popularity in film soundtracks.[81]

In a 2010 poll to find the "10 Best George Harrison Songs", AOL Radio listeners voted "What Is Life" third,[82] behind "My Sweet Lord" and "Blow Away".[83] In a Rolling Stone readers' poll, titled "10 Greatest Solo Beatle Songs", the song placed fourth, with the editor commenting: "The track is deceptively simple, and more layers become apparent the more often you play it."[84] "What Is Life" has featured in Bruce Pollock's book The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944–2000,[85]Treble website's "The Top 200 Songs of the 1970s" (ranked at number 101)[citation needed] and Dave Thompson's 1000 Songs That Rock Your World (at number 247).[86]

Subsequent releases and appearances in films

[edit]

"What Is Life" was included on the 1976 compilation The Best of George Harrison, as the closing track,[87] and 2009's Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison.[88] The song has also appeared in several popular feature films: Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990),[89] during the "May 11, 1980" sequence; Tom Shadyac's Patch Adams (1998); Sam Mendes' Away We Go (2009); Judd Apatow's This Is 40 (2012),[84] for which it was also used in advance promotion;[90] and Instant Family (2018), directed by Sean Anders.[91] According to Andy Greene of Rolling Stone: "Today, many people know it merely as a song from all those soundtracks ... It's almost as ubiquitous as 'Let My Love Open the Door' or 'Solsbury Hill'."[84]

A portion of "What Is Life" plays in Scorsese's 2011 documentary George Harrison: Living in the Material World,[92] between "Here Comes the Sun" and the Radha Krishna Temple's "Hare Krishna Mantra".[93] It accompanies a sequence of 1969 photos of Harrison with, variously, Preston, Jackie Lomax, the Plastic Ono Band, Clapton and Ravi Shankar, and follows archive footage showing him discussing the restrictions he felt within the Beatles and how the band "had to implode".[94] In his film review for Entertainment Weekly, Owen Gleiberman recalled of the song:

I will never forget the tingle I felt while standing, when I was around 11, at a jukebox in a diner in early-'70s Ann Arbor, dropping a coin into the machine to play a song that was still new to me: "What Is Life". That descending guitar line crackled out of the speaker like a sassy, jagged lightning bolt. The drums were as thunderous as Led Zeppelin's, only it was romantic thunder, and Harrison's yearning vocals rode atop Phil Spector's now-electrified wall of sound like a jubilant cry of triumph: He had broken free! Free of the Beatles, of the '60s, of the material world ... It was one of the most ecstatic things I'd ever heard, and ever would hear. It was the spirit of love speaking through George Harrison, as it would speak through him throughout that album.[95]

An alternative studio version of "What Is Life" was one of the five bonus tracks included on the 2001 remaster of All Things Must Pass.[96][97] This version is a rough mix of the original backing track with different orchestration – in this case, piccolo trumpet and oboe.[98][99] In the accompanying booklet, Harrison writes that this orchestral arrangement was discarded because he "didn't like the feel".[100] Speaking to Billboard editor-in-chief Timothy White in December 2000, Harrison explained the reason for the lack of a guide vocal on this version: "I'm playing the fuzz guitar part that goes all through the song. So all I could do on the [initial] take was to give the band the cue line – the first line of each verse – and then go back to playing that riff. So that rough mix without the vocal – I'd forgot all about it …"[101][nb 5]

Music video

[edit]

Coinciding with the release of the Apple Years 1968–75 box set in September 2014, Harrison's widow and son, Olivia and Dhani Harrison, held an online competition in which filmmakers were invited to create a video clip for "What Is Life". The winner would receive a $5000 cash prize and have their entry become the official video for the track, appearing on the George Harrison YouTube channel and other media platforms.[103] In November, Olivia and Dhani selected Brandon Moore of Oakland, California, as the winner.[104] Moore's video comprises dance interpretations by Emma Rubinowitz and Esteban Hernandez of the San Francisco Ballet, filmed in the streets and woods of the San Francisco Presidio.[105]

Live performance

[edit]

A live version of the song, recorded with Eric Clapton and his band in December 1991,[106] is available on Harrison's 1992 album Live in Japan album.[107] The performance was recorded at Tokyo Dome on 17 December,[108] during the final show of the tour.[109]

Part of a concert performance of "What Is Life" from Harrison's 1974 North American tour with Ravi Shankar appears in Scorsese's George Harrison: Living in the Material World.[110][111] This was the first US tour by a former Beatle but the concerts were highly controversial and proved damaging to Harrison's artistic standing.[112][nb 6] Rock publications such as Rolling Stone ensured that the tour gained a reputation as a disastrous venture,[116][117] although bootleg recordings from the shows partly refute this.[118][119] Simon Leng writes of a Fort Worth performance of "What Is Life" that was "greeted with a reception that matched anything the New York audience at the [August 1971] Bangla Desh concerts expressed".[120]

Cover versions

[edit]
"What Is Life"
Picture sleeve for the West German release
Single by Olivia Newton-John
from the album Olivia
B-side"I'm a Small and Lonely Light"
Released1972
Length3:21
LabelPye International
SongwriterGeorge Harrison
ProducersBruce Welch, John Farrar
Olivia Newton-John singles chronology
"Banks of the Ohio"
(1971) 		"What Is Life"
(1972) 		"Just a Little Too Much"
(1972)

Olivia Newton-John

[edit]

British-Australian pop singer Olivia Newton-John included "What Is Life", along with a version of Harrison's All Things Must Pass track "Behind That Locked Door", on her 1972 album Olivia.[121] The song was arranged and produced by Bruce Welch of the Shadows and John Farrar,[121] who was Newton-John's regular producer and collaborator during the 1970s.[122]

Released as a single in some countries, this version reached the UK top 20 in March 1972,[17][123] peaking at number 16.[124][nb 7] The song's chart run coincided with Newton-John touring the UK with French balladeer Sacha Distel before beginning a season of solo concerts at London's Prince of Wales Theatre.[127] "What Is Life" subsequently appeared on her compilation albums Back to Basics: The Essential Collection 1971–1992 (1992)[128] and The Definitive Collection (2002).[129]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1972) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[130] 16
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[131] 34
Ireland (IRMA)[132] 18
Italy[133] 8

Other artists

[edit]

"What Is Life" was one of the songs that middle-of-the-road artists rushed to record as a result of All Things Must Pass' popularity.[17][134] In 1971, British easy listening pianist Ronnie Aldrich covered it (as well as "My Sweet Lord") on his album Love Story, giving the track what AllMusic reviewer Al Campbell views as a regrettable "Muzak arrangement".[135] That same year, the Ventures included an instrumental version on their New Testament album,[136] recorded when the band had progressed from their surf rock roots to embrace fuzz-tone and other heavier guitar sounds.[137] Music critic Bruce Eder cites the track as an example of the album's "loud, jagged guitar" music and of Ventures guitarist Gerry McGee "crossing swords musically" with contemporaries such as Harrison, Clapton and Jimmy Page through the band's choice of covers.[138]

Shawn Mullins recorded "What Is Life" for the soundtrack of the 1999 film Big Daddy.[139][140] Released as a single, it peaked at number 62 on the UK Singles Chart.[141] In 2004, Christian rock singer Neal Morse included a recording on the special-edition version of his album One, with Phil Keaggy as a guest vocalist.[142] The track later appeared on Morse's 2006 album with Mike Portnoy and Randy George, Cover to Cover, which also includes covers of "Day After Day", which Harrison produced for Badfinger in 1971,[143] and the Clapton–Harrison composition "Badge".[144][nb 8]

"What Is Life" was performed by "Weird Al" Yankovic at the George Fest tribute concert in Los Angeles on 28 September 2014.[146] The recording was included on the George Fest live album and concert DVD package in 2016.[147]

Personnel

[edit]

The following musicians are believed to have played on "What Is Life":[9][32]

Chart performance

[edit]

George Harrison version

[edit]

Olivia Newton-John version

[edit]
Chart (1972) Peak
position
Irish Singles Chart[166] 18
UK Singles Chart[124] 16
US Billboard Easy Listening[167] 34

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
  • Dale C. Allison Jr., The Love There That's Sleeping: The Art and Spirituality of George Harrison, Continuum (New York, NY, 2006; ISBN 978-0-8264-1917-0).
  • Keith Badman, The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the Break-Up 1970–2001, Omnibus Press (London, 2001; ISBN 0-7119-8307-0).
  • Harry Castleman & Walter J. Podrazik, All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography 1961–1975, Ballantine Books (New York, NY, 1976; ISBN 0-345-25680-8).
  • Alan Clayson, George Harrison, Sanctuary (London, 2003; ISBN 1-86074-489-3).
  • The Editors of Rolling Stone, Harrison, Rolling Stone Press/Simon & Schuster (New York, NY, 2002; ISBN 0-7432-3581-9).
  • Peter Doggett, "George Harrison: The Apple Years 1968–1975", Record Collector, April 2001, pp. 34–40.
  • Michael Frontani, "The Solo Years", in Kenneth Womack (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles, Cambridge University Press (Cambridge, UK, 2009; ISBN 978-1-139-82806-2), pp. 153–82.
  • George Harrison: Living in the Material World DVD, Village Roadshow, 2011 (directed by Martin Scorsese; produced by Olivia Harrison, Nigel Sinclair & Martin Scorsese).
  • Joshua M. Greene, Here Comes the Sun: The Spiritual and Musical Journey of George Harrison, John Wiley & Sons (Hoboken, NJ, 2006; ISBN 978-0-470-12780-3).
  • George Harrison, I Me Mine, Chronicle Books (San Francisco, CA, 2002; ISBN 0-8118-3793-9).
  • Olivia Harrison, George Harrison: Living in the Material World, Abrams (New York, NY, 2011; ISBN 978-1-4197-0220-4).
  • Elliot J. Huntley, Mystical One: George Harrison – After the Break-up of the Beatles, Guernica Editions (Toronto, ON, 2006; ISBN 1-55071-197-0).
  • Chris Ingham, The Rough Guide to the Beatles, Rough Guides/Penguin (London, 2006; 2nd edn; ISBN 978-1-84836-525-4).
  • Ian Inglis, The Words and Music of George Harrison, Praeger (Santa Barbara, CA, 2010; ISBN 978-0-313-37532-3).
  • Bobby Keys with Bill Ditenhafer, Every Night's a Saturday Night: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Legendary Sax Man Bobby Keys, Counterpoint (Berkeley, CA, 2012; ISBN 978-1-58243-783-5).
  • Simon Leng, While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Music of George Harrison, Hal Leonard (Milwaukee, WI, 2006; ISBN 1-4234-0609-5).
  • Thomas MacFarlane, The Music of George Harrison, Routledge (Abingdon, UK, 2019; ISBN 978-1-138-59910-9).
  • Chip Madinger & Mark Easter, Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium, 44.1 Productions (Chesterfield, MO, 2000; ISBN 0-615-11724-4).
  • Tom Moon, 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die, Workman Publishing (New York, NY, 2008; ISBN 978-0-7611-5385-6).
  • Robert Rodriguez, Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970–1980, Backbeat Books (Milwaukee, WI, 2010; ISBN 978-1-4165-9093-4).
  • Patricia Romanowski & Holly George-Warren (eds), The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, Fireside/Rolling Stone Press (New York, NY, 1995; ISBN 0-684-81044-1).
  • Nicholas Schaffner, The Beatles Forever, McGraw-Hill (New York, NY, 1978; ISBN 0-07-055087-5).
  • Bruce Spizer, The Beatles Solo on Apple Records, 498 Productions (New Orleans, LA, 2005; ISBN 0-9662649-5-9).
  • Gary Tillery, Working Class Mystic: A Spiritual Biography of George Harrison, Quest Books (Wheaton, IL, 2011; ISBN 978-0-8356-0900-5).
  • Bobby Whitlock with Marc Roberty, Bobby Whitlock: A Rock 'n' Roll Autobiography, McFarland (Jefferson, NC, 2010; ISBN 978-0-7864-6190-5).
  • Bob Woffinden, The Beatles Apart, Proteus (London, 1981; ISBN 0-906071-89-5).
  • Kenneth Womack, The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four, ABC-CLIO (Santa Barbara, CA, 2014; ISBN 978-0-313-39171-2).
[edit]
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What Is Life

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"What Is Life" is a song written and performed by English musician , released on his 1970 triple album . An upbeat rock track with soul influences, it was originally composed in 1969 for but recorded by Harrison during sessions for his debut solo album at in from May to October 1970, produced by . The lyrics express romantic devotion, interpreted by some as directed toward both a lover and a spiritual figure, reflecting Harrison's interest in . Issued as a single in several countries in early 1971—with "Apple Scruffs" as the B-side in the US and serving as the B-side to "My Sweet Lord" in the UK—the song became a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 10, and reached number 1 in Switzerland. It contributed to the commercial success of All Things Must Pass, which topped charts in multiple countries and is regarded as one of the landmark releases of Harrison's post-Beatles career. The track has since been covered by artists including Olivia Newton-John, who took her version to number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in 1972.

Origins and Creation

Background and Inspiration

Following the Beatles' dissolution in 1970, George Harrison sought greater creative autonomy after years of limited opportunities within the band, particularly during the tense Let It Be sessions earlier that year, where his contributions were restricted to just two songs, "For You Blue" and "I Me Mine," amid the group's internal conflicts. Harrison had temporarily walked out of those sessions on January 10, 1969, frustrated by the chaotic atmosphere and Paul McCartney's controlling approach, returning only after negotiations but with a growing resolve to pursue his own artistic path. This period of transition fueled his eagerness to release a backlog of material that had been overlooked by the Beatles, marking All Things Must Pass as a bold statement of solo independence. Written in 1969 as an uptempo expression of romantic devotion, "What Is Life" drew inspiration from Harrison's personal life, serving as a to his wife, , whom he had married in August of that year, blending themes of vitality, passion, and the transformative power of love. Harrison composed the track swiftly—taking about 15 to 30 minutes—while driving from his home to London's to produce sessions for , originally intending it for the keyboardist's Apple album before deciding to record it himself. Harrison captured early versions through informal home recordings at his estate between late 1969 and early 1970, including acoustic demos that preserved the song's raw, intimate essence prior to full studio development. These home takes, later released on deluxe editions of , highlighted his experimental approach during this pivotal shift to solo work.

Composition and Lyrics

"What Is Life" is composed in and maintains a brisk of 131 beats per minute, contributing to its energetic drive. The song follows a verse-chorus structure with a bridge, a format that allows for dynamic builds and releases typical of Harrison's post-Beatles songwriting. This emphasizes catchy, repetitive choruses that reinforce the central while the bridge provides a momentary contrast before returning to the main motifs. The instrumentation features prominent guitar , including a distinctive descending fuzz-tone riff played by Harrison that opens the track and recurs throughout, adding a gritty edge to the melody. Horn sections punctuate key transitions, enhancing the rhythmic punch, while the overall production employs a wall-of-sound approach with layered elements like Fender Rhodes piano to create a full, orchestral texture. Recording techniques such as multi-tracking helped achieve this dense, immersive quality in a single sentence. Stylistically, the song fuses rock with soul and pop influences, drawing notably from through its upbeat rhythm, horn accents, and riff-driven energy that evokes the era's soulful grooves. This blend showcases Harrison's ability to integrate accessible pop hooks with deeper rhythmic complexities, distinguishing it from his more introspective works. Lyrically, "What Is Life" explores themes of life's vitality derived from love, portraying it as an essential force that infuses with and purpose. The optimistic tone shines through in lines like the chorus "What is life without your love?", which questions the of life absent romantic or spiritual connection, blending personal devotion with broader existential reflection. This duality—addressing both a lover and a —reflects Harrison's evolving interest in blending human relationships with .

Recording Process

The recording of "What Is Life" occurred at (now ) in during the sessions for George Harrison's triple album , which began on 26 May 1970 and continued through October of that year. Basic rhythm tracks for the song were laid down starting on 22 June 1970 in Studio Three, with producers Harrison and overseeing the work alongside engineers Phil McDonald and ; the session featured 11 takes by a core band including drummers Jim Gordon and Alan White, bassists (on six-string bass) and (on four-string bass), guitarists Harrison, , and , and keyboardist . Additional guitar overdubs followed on 23 June, after which the track was set aside briefly. Work resumed on 3 July 1970, when 15 more takes (numbered 28 through ) were recorded, with take selected as the basis for the album version; during this session, Harrison developed the song's distinctive fuzz guitar , which he had refined after an initial attempt he found unsatisfactory, adding a new bass line to capture the desired feel. Later overdubs at and included horns recorded live by saxophonist and trumpeter Jim Price (who also handled arrangements), double-tracked for emphasis, as well as piano by or and a second vocal layer by Harrison. Backing vocals were contributed by associates of Harrison's era, including members of and other studio friends forming a choral ensemble. Spector's production applied his signature "Wall of Sound" technique, layering multiple guitars—including Harrison's lead and rhythm parts alongside Clapton's—pianos, and the brass section with heavy reverb to create a dense, orchestral texture suited to the album's expansive triple-disc format, which allowed for such elaborate arrangements across its 23 tracks. Final mixes incorporated string arrangements by John Barham and were completed by late September , emphasizing the song's rhythmic drive and emotional uplift through these accumulated elements.

Release and Initial Impact

Album Context and Single Release

"What Is Life" appears as the fifth track on George Harrison's debut solo triple album, , released on on November 27, 1970. The album, co-produced by Harrison and , marked Harrison's emergence as a prominent solo artist following the , featuring an expansive lineup of musicians and a blend of rock, gospel, and introspective ballads across its three-LP format. The song was issued as a single in the United States on February 15, 1971, under Apple catalog number 1828, backed by "Apple Scruffs" from the same album. It was also released simultaneously in several European markets, such as the Netherlands on Apple 5C 006-04751, but not in the United Kingdom, where "My Sweet Lord" remained the focus of Harrison's single promotions. The single's packaging featured the standard Apple Records label with a green apple logo on a white background, and in select regions, it included a picture sleeve depicting a close-up photograph of Harrison in a contemplative pose. Harrison's appearance at on August 1, 1971, at further promoted his recent solo work amid the event's star-studded lineup including , , and . This benefit concert, organized to aid refugees from the , amplified the visibility of through live exposure and subsequent media coverage.

Chart Performance

Upon its release as a single in February 1971, George Harrison's "What Is Life" achieved significant commercial success in several markets, though it was overshadowed by the lead single "My Sweet Lord" from the same album, All Things Must Pass. In the United States, the track peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on March 27, 1971, marking Harrison's second top-10 solo hit after "My Sweet Lord," which had reached No. 1. The song spent 12 weeks on the Hot 100 and also peaked at No. 7 on Cash Box's Top 100 chart. Globally, "What Is Life" sold an estimated 2 million units, including over 800,000 in the US alone. In comparison, "My Sweet Lord" was a far larger phenomenon, topping charts in multiple countries and selling more than 10 million copies worldwide, underscoring Harrison's post-Beatles dominance but highlighting "What Is Life" as a strong follow-up rather than a chart-topper. In , "" performed robustly, entering the singles chart on March 22, 1971, and peaking at No. 3, where it remained for several weeks and ranked No. 42 on the year-end Top 100. The track did not receive a standalone release in the , instead serving as the B-side to "," which topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks in early 1971; as a result, "" did not chart independently there. The album , which featured the song, contributed to its enduring visibility and was certified gold by the RIAA in the shortly after release in December 1970, eventually reaching 6× platinum status for sales exceeding 6 million units. A cover version by , released as a single from her 1972 album Olivia, also garnered moderate chart success, particularly in the . It peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in 1972. The track benefited from Newton-John's rising profile in adult contemporary formats but did not match the original's peaks in major markets. In the streaming era, "" has seen renewed popularity following the 2014 remaster included in box set. As of November 2025, the remastered version has amassed over 148 million streams on , contributing to equivalent album sales of approximately 166,000 units from digital platforms, per industry estimates. This long-term digital performance reflects the song's lasting appeal within Harrison's catalog, though it trails "," which exceeds 1 billion streams on the same platform.

Critical Reception

Upon its release as a single in 1971, "What Is Life" garnered favorable reviews from contemporary critics, who highlighted its catchy hooks and upbeat energy as a refreshing contrast within George Harrison's debut solo album . In , Ben Edmonds praised the track for its "infectious joy" amid the album's heavier, more introspective spiritual themes, describing it as an "ambiguous number" with Motown-influenced that blended pop accessibility with emotional depth. Similarly, hailed it as an "instant smash," emphasizing its commercial appeal and rhythmic drive as key factors in its immediate radio success. However, not all reception was unqualified praise; some reviewers viewed the song as somewhat lightweight in comparison to the album's predominant spiritual and philosophical material. Edmonds noted the ' focus on romantic longing rather than broader existential questions, which positioned it as a lighter diversion from tracks like "" and "The Art of Dying." This perception echoed in broader critiques, where the song's pop-oriented structure was occasionally critiqued for lacking the of Harrison's more overtly devotional compositions, though its melodic hooks were universally acknowledged as a strength. The song's critical acclaim directly bolstered its radio airplay, with stations embracing its energetic vibe and Harrison's familiar Beatles-era rock sensibility, which propelled it to significant chart exposure. This reception tied into its commercial performance, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and underscoring its broad appeal as evidence of the track's enduring hooks.

Cultural Legacy and Covers

Retrospective Assessments

In the 21st century, "What Is Life" has been widely recognized in retrospective rankings as one of George Harrison's finest compositions. Paste magazine ranked it number one in its 2017 list of the 20 best George Harrison songs, lauding its descending fuzz-tone guitar riff, infectious sing-along chorus, and status as a pop culture staple from the 1970s that remains ingrained in collective memory. Similarly, Ultimate Classic Rock included it prominently in its 2021 ranking of all 141 George Harrison solo songs, describing it as a towering rocker that effectively utilized Phil Spector's Wall of Sound production to capture intimate joy on a grand scale. The song has come to symbolize Harrison's more accessible pop side, distinct from his deeper spiritual explorations, with its blend of Motown-inspired grooves, symphonic elements, and hook-driven structure marking it as a precursor to aesthetics. This commercial yet soulful approach highlighted Harrison's versatility post-Beatles, influencing subsequent artists in the genre through its emphasis on uplifting melodies and layered . Reissues of have reinforced the track's timeless appeal. The 2001 30th anniversary remaster featured liner notes and an interview with Harrison conducted by Chris Carter, in which he reflected fondly on the album's material, affirming its lasting value despite his earlier ambivalence toward the Spector production. The 2010 40th anniversary deluxe edition presented a fresh remaster of the original triple album, with accompanying materials emphasizing the enduring relevance of songs like "" in Harrison's catalog. In academic and cultural studies of the Beatles' legacy, "What Is Life" is frequently cited as evidence of Harrison's growing as a songwriter and artist after the band's dissolution. Scholarly analyses, such as those in publications, highlight the song's role in showcasing Harrison's ability to merge personal spiritual inquiry with broad pop appeal, free from the constraints of his Beatles-era collaborations. This perspective underscores how the track contributed to redefining Harrison's identity beyond the "Quiet Beatle" persona.

Notable Cover Versions

One of the most notable covers of "What Is Life" is by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John, who recorded it for her second studio album, Olivia, released in 1972. Her version features a softer pop arrangement with a stop/go rhythm and melodic emphasis, contrasting the original's driving rock guitars and brass. Released as a single, it peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart and number 34 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, marking an early international success for Newton-John. The song has inspired various reinterpretations by other artists across genres. For instance, American parody musician "Weird Al" Yankovic delivered a faithful yet lighthearted live rendition in 2016 for the tribute album George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of , highlighting the track's upbeat accessibility in a modern context. Instrumental versions also emerged early, such as ' surf-rock take on their 1971 album New Testament, which adapted the riff into a twangy, guitar-driven sound. Beyond studio recordings, "What Is Life" has been recontextualized in film and television soundtracks, often emphasizing its emotional depth. It appears in 1990s films like Martin Scorsese's (1990), where it accompanies a tense narrative moment; Robin Williams' (1998), underscoring themes of joy amid hardship; and Adam Sandler's Big Daddy (1999), adding levity to comedic scenes. Later uses include (2009) and (2012). The track's influence extends to hip-hop through sampling, blending Harrison's melody with urban beats. A prominent example is its multiple elements sampled in Girl Talk's 2008 mashup "Play Your Part (Pt. 2)" from the album Feed the Animals, which layers the riff over Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" to create a high-energy fusion. In recent years, indie artists have continued to cover the song on streaming platforms, reflecting its timeless appeal. For example, musician Robert Cassard released a dreamy, atmospheric reinterpretation in April 2025, stripping it to ethereal vocals and minimal instrumentation for a contemplative vibe. Similarly, the band The Traveling Milburys offered a rootsy acoustic take in March 2025, emphasizing folk harmonies.

Live Performances and Media Appearances

George Harrison first performed "What Is Life" live during his 1974 Dark Horse Tour, a 28-date North American outing with Ravi Shankar that marked his return to the stage after the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. The song was a regular feature in the setlist, typically positioned after Billy Preston's "Outa-Space" and before the encore of "My Sweet Lord," blending Harrison's recent Dark Horse material with earlier hits from All Things Must Pass. The track received renewed exposure during Harrison's 1991 Japanese Tour, his final major concert series and first since 1974. Performed nightly across 12 shows in December, the rendition from the tour's closing night at on December 17 was captured for the double album Live in Japan, released by in July 1992, where it opens the second disc with a faithful yet energetic emphasizing Harrison's work. After Harrison's passing in 2001, "What Is Life" has appeared in tribute performances honoring his legacy. Notable among these is "Weird Al" Yankovic's rendition at the 2014 George Fest event at ' Fonda Theatre, a star-studded celebrating Harrison's catalog that featured over 40 artists and was later released as a live album and in 2016. The song's official , directed by Brandon Moore, premiered in November 2014 to coincide with the 44th-anniversary edition of . Selected via a global launched by Olivia and , the clip features whimsical footage of dancers in yellow outfits amid natural settings, evoking themes of vitality and renewal. "What Is Life" has been prominently featured in media, particularly cinema, where its upbeat rhythm and philosophical lyrics enhance scenes of transition or exuberance. In Martin Scorsese's (1990), it scores a montage of protagonist Henry Hill's escalating criminal indulgence, juxtaposing the song's joyful energy against moral decay. Similar uses appear in (1998), underscoring moments of healing and whimsy; Big Daddy (1999), during lighthearted fatherhood sequences; and Judd Apatow's (2012), to highlight domestic introspection. In the , the track experienced a streaming revival tied to the 50th-anniversary super deluxe edition of , released in August 2021 with a fresh 2020 mix by Paul Hicks. The , including outtakes and jams, propelled the song to new listeners on platforms like and , aligning with broader interest in Harrison's catalog amid retrospective documentaries and remasters.

Personnel and Production Details

Key Contributors

George Harrison served as the primary creative force behind "What Is Life," writing the song, delivering the lead vocals, and performing on guitars, including electric and slide parts that drive the track's energetic rhythm. His contributions established the song's Motown-inspired groove and philosophical lyrics, drawing from personal reflections during a transitional period post-Beatles. Jim Gordon contributed drums to the recording, providing the solid, propulsive beat that underpins the song's upbeat tempo and supports its dynamic shifts. added keyboards, enhancing the arrangement with piano and organ layers that contribute to the track's rich, layered sound. The featured on and Jim Price on , whose brass accents inject a soulful, punchy energy into the chorus and bridge, evoking Phil Spector's influence. provided rhythm guitar, complementing Harrison's lead work. played bass, grounding the track's rhythm section. Phil Spector co-produced the track with Harrison, overseeing the sessions at Abbey Road Studios in 1970 and applying his signature production techniques to create a full, orchestral texture, including string arrangements by John Barham. Members of Badfinger, including Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Joey Molland, and Mike Gibbins, provided additional backing harmonies, adding vocal depth and a harmonious uplift to the final mix.

Technical Aspects

The recording of "What Is Life" utilized a 16-track format at in September 1970, following initial 8-track sessions at Studio Three starting on June 22, where basic tracks were captured before overdubs were added to expand the arrangement. Co-produced by and , the mixing process at Trident from October 10–17 incorporated Spector's signature technique, characterized by heavy reverb applied to the guitar riff and overall instrumentation to create a dense, immersive sonic texture. Instrumentation centered on Harrison's for the prominent descending fuzz-tone guitar riff, layered with additional electric guitars—including contributions from on rhythm—bass, drums, organ, , and , all enhanced during overdubs. elements, including horns played by session musicians, were overdubbed to add symphonic depth, blending , , and influences into the track's energetic structure. The original 1970 vinyl release preserved the raw, reverb-heavy mix from the 16-track tapes, resulting in a warm but somewhat muffled sound due to the era's analog limitations and Spector's production choices. In contrast, the 2001 30th-anniversary CD , overseen by Harrison, applied EQ adjustments to several tracks—including ""—to reduce muddiness and improve overall clarity, making individual elements like the and guitar more distinct without altering the core mix. The 2021 50th-anniversary edition introduced new stereo remixes by engineer Paul Hicks, sourced from high-resolution 192 kHz/24-bit digital transfers of the original multitrack tapes, which maintained the heavy reverb and density while enhancing separation and low-end presence for greater and modern playback compatibility. This approach addressed criticisms of the original's opacity, allowing the Fender Stratocaster's and arrangements to emerge with renewed precision.

References

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