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Life (Haddaway song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Life
| cover = Life_(song).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Haddaway
| album = The Album
| B-side = Remix
| released = 5 September 1993
| recorded = 1992 at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Eurodance
| length = 4:18
| label = Coconut
| writer =
| producer =
| prev_title = What Is Love
| prev_year = 1993
| next_title = I Miss You
| next_year = 1993
| misc =
}}
"'Life'" (known as "'Life (Everybody Needs Somebody to Love)'" in the US) is a song recorded by the Trinidadian-German Eurodance artist Haddaway. It was released on September 5, 1993 as the second single from his debut album, 'The Album' (1993). It was written and produced by Dee Dee Halligan (Dieter Lnstedt a.k.a. Tony Hendrik) and Junior Torello. The song peaked at number-one in Finland, Greece, Israel, Spain and Sweden. And within the top 5 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Life" reached the top spot. Another CD maxi were produced at the end of that year containing new remixes (one of them was made by Bass Bumpers). By March 1994, "Life" had sold 1.5 million copies worldwide.
Critical reception
AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis complimented Haddaway's "passionate, urgent delivery" on the song. Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote that "although there is no denying the stylistic similarity to Haddaway's huge "What Is Love", this single gains its own strength through a fun, sing-along chorus and warmly upbeat lyrics. Added pleasure comes from Haddaway's assured voice." He also stated that it "does have a chorus that instantly sticks to the brain". Dave Sholin from the 'Gavin Report' commented that the singer "delivers an early Christmas present. "Life..." comes complete with a melody as compelling as his debut smash, "What Is Love." A reviewer from 'Kingston Informer' viewed it as "brilliant"."I Miss You by Haddaway". 'Kingston Informer'. December 17, 1993. page 5. Retrieved March 28, 2020. Music writer James Masterton said in his weekly UK chart commentary, "The new track aims to repeat this same formula and does so just about."
Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' stated that "variations on a theme have always been bona fide recording tricks and subsequently Life will be What Is Love? Part II." Alan Jones from 'Music Week' rated it four out of five, describing it as "a bouncy, commercial Euro-house track which will have little appeal to club cognoscenti but will delight the mainstream audience." He added, "It won't be as big as What Is Love? (few records are) but should safely reach the Top 10." James Hamilton from the magazine's 'RM' Dance Update deemed it a "simple Teutonic pop bounder". John Kilgo from 'The Network Forty' wrote that it is "familiar in sound" to his debut single and noted further that "this tune will research phenomenally, following in the heels of its predecessor." 'Reading Evening Post's reviewer said it "provides strong evidence to suggest that Haddaway won't be a one-hit wonder", adding that "he sounds like Seal"."HADDAWAY Life". 'Reading Evening Post'. September 10, 1993. page 43. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
Chart performance
Like its predecessor, "Life" made an impact on the charts on several continents, becoming a major hit. It peaked at number-one in Finland, Greece, Spain and Sweden as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100. In addition, the single reached number two in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. It was a top 5 hit also in Belgium, France, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Norway. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number six on October 3, 1993, after three weeks on the UK Singles Chart. It stayed at that position for two weeks. But on the UK Dance Singles Chart, it was even more successful, reaching number two. Outside Europe, "Life" reached number-one in Israel and on the Canadian 'RPM' Dance/Urban chart, number five on the US 'Billboard' Hot Dance Club Play chart, number 14 in Zimbabwe, number 15 on the Canadian 'RPM' Top Singles chart and number 41 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. The song was awarded with a gold record in Austria and Sweden, with a sale of 15,000 and 10,000 singles sold. In Germany, it received a platinum record for 500,000 units sold.
Music video
The music video of "Life" was partly inspired by the German 1927 movie 'Metropolis' by Fritz Lang. Haddaway plays a scientist and inventor, like Rotwang in the movie. He designs a dancing robot, the Maschinenmensch, shaped like a woman. He tries to give life to it and manages to transform it into a real woman. They dance to the rhythm, with the woman following Haddaway's movements. In the end, he takes off her helmet. She then opens her eyes and he kisses her. The video was later published on Coconut Records's official YouTube channel in August 2012. It has amassed more than 14,7 million views as of September 2021.
Track listings
* 'CD maxi'
# "Life" (Radio Edit) 4:18
# "Life" (12" Mix) 6:00
# "Life" (Club Life) 6:13
* 'Cassette single'
# "Life" 4:18
# "Life" (Instrumental) 4:18
* 'CD maxi Remixes'
# "Life / Remix" (Mission Control Mix) 7:00
# "Life" (Bass Bumpers Remix) 5:55
# "Life" (Radio Edit) 4:15
Charts and sales
Weekly charts
1 Remix version
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
Category:1993 singles
Category:1993 songs
Category:English-language German songs
Category:Eurodance songs
Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles
Category:Haddaway songs
Category:House music songs
Category:Number-one singles in Finland
Category:Number-one singles in Greece
Category:Number-one singles in Israel
Category:Number-one singles in Spain
Category:Number-one singles in Sweden
Category:Songs written by Tony Hendrik
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