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What Is Life
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = What Is Life
| cover = What Is Life (George Harrison single - cover art).jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| caption = US picture sleeve
| type = single
| artist = George Harrison
| album = All Things Must Pass
| A-side = "My Sweet Lord" (UK)
| B-side = "Apple Scruffs" (except UK)
| released = 15 February 1971 (US)
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Rock, soul
| length = 4:22
| label = Apple
| writer = George Harrison
| producer = George Harrison, Phil Spector
| prev_title = My Sweet Lord" / "Isn't It a Pity
| prev_year = 1970
| next_title = Bangla Desh
| next_year = 1971
| misc =
}}
"'What Is Life'" is a song by 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 protg 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" and an "exultant song of surrender".
"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
Even before his temporary departure from the Beatles in January 1969 (documented in the song "Wah-Wah"),Rodriguez, p. 379. 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.Leng, pp. 55, 85. 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.John Harris, "A Quiet Storm", 'Mojo', July 2001, pp. 6873. One of these projects, carried out intermittently from April to July 1969,Castleman & Podrazik, p. 80. 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 recruited to guest on the band's troubled 'Get Back' sessions.Jim Irvin, "Close to the Edge", 'Mojo', December 2003, p. 82.Andy Davis (liner notes), Billy Preston 'Encouraging Words' CD, Apple Records, 2010 (produced by George Harrison & Billy Preston). 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".Spizer, p. 222.
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.George Harrison, p. 162.Womack, p. 981. 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". 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".The Editors of 'Rolling Stone', p. 187. He revisited it a year later, after completing work on Preston's second Apple album, 'Encouraging Words'.Madinger & Easter, p. 426.
Composition
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.Leng, pp. 8788. The song is defined by Harrison's descending guitar riff,MacFarlane, p. 76. which also serves as the motif for the chorus.Richie Unterberger, [http://www.allmusic.com/song/what-is-life-t743156 "George Harrison 'What Is Life'"], AllMusic (retrieved 22 February 2012). Author Alan Clayson describes "What Is Life" as a seemingly "lovey-dovey pop song" that "craftily renewed the simplistic tonic-to-dominant riff clich".Clayson, p. 296.
The lyrics have a universal quality, being both simple and uplifting.Inglis, p. 26. 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 paen" to Harrison's wife Pattie Boyd, in Clayson's descriptionClayson, p. 298. or a devotional song like many of Harrison's compositions.Allison, p. 158. 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".
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.Allison, pp. 124, 158. 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".Greene, p. 181. According to musicologist Thomas MacFarlane, the ambiguity in the lyrics suggests a connection between spiritual and physical love.
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":
Recording
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"Clayson, p. 274. Delaney & Bonnie European tour, along with Eric Clapton, the previous December, Harrison was well placed to record "What Is Life", Leng observes.Leng, p. 88. 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; recording took place at Abbey Road Studios in London, during late May or early June.Badman, p. 10. 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".Leng, pp. 9596, 9798, 99. According to Keys, he and Price overdubbed their horns parts at a later session at Abbey Road.Keys, pp. 10203.
The track opens with Harrison playing the fuzztone guitar riff, which is then joined by Radle's bass and "churning" rhythm guitar from Clapton, before Gordon's drums bring the full band in. During the verses, Gordon moves to a square, Motown-style beat or "rock-steady Northern soul backbeat" in Leng's words before returning to the "galloping rhythm" of the more open, "knockout" choruses. The song is driven equally by Badfinger drummer Mike Gibbins' powerful tambourine work.
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".The Editors of 'Rolling Stone', p. 201. Barham stayed at Harrison's new home, Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames,Ingham, p. 127. and created the scores for "What Is Life" and other songs from melodies that Harrison sang or played to him on piano or guitar.Leng, p. 78. Barham says that, for inspiration, Harrison also played him Spector productions such as Checkmates, Ltd.'s "Proud Mary". 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.Keys, p. 103. 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.MacFarlane, pp. 7576.
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.Madinger & Easter, p. 427.Todd L. Burns (host), "Ken Scott: Red Bull Music Academy Lecture (New York)", redbullmusicacademy.com, 2013 (retrieved 14 November 2020). The song's vocals and strings, along with a brief slide-guitar commentary from Harrison over the final verse, were overdubbed at Trident.Madinger & Easter, pp. 427, 429. Dated 19 August, Spector's written comments on Harrison's early mix of the song had suggested a "proper background voice" was still needed.[https://www.openculture.com/2014/01/phil-spectors-lengthy-production-notes-to-george-harrison-during-the-recording-of-all-things-must-pass.html "Phil Spector's Gentle Production Notes to George Harrison During the Recording of 'All Things Must Pass'"], 'Open Culture', 3 January 2014 (retrieved 2 December 2020). Harrison performed all the chorus vocals himself and credited them to "the George O'Hara-Smith Singers".Spizer, pp. 212, 222. 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".Olivia Harrison, p. 282.
Release and reception
'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.Castleman & Podrazik, p. 94.Spizer, p. 220. 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. 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.Castleman & Podrazik, pp. 99, 352.Badman, p. 26. '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".[https://books.google.com/books?hl=pt-BR&id=6QgEAAAAMBAJ&q=what+is+life#v=snippet&q=%22What%20is%20life%22&f=false "Spotlight Singles"], 'Billboard', 20 February 1971, p. 62 (retrieved 13 October 2013).
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.Rodriguez, p. 147. 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."
The front of the single's US picture sleeve consisted of a photo of Harrison playing guitar inside the central tower of Friar Park.Spizer, pp. 226, 231. The tower's sole, octagonal-shaped room was an area that Harrison had adopted as his personal temple and meditation space.Tillery, p. 90. 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.Spizer, p. 226. 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.Spizer, pp. 221, 22628. In Denmark, the picture sleeve consisted of four shots of Harrison, again with guitar,Schaffner, p. 142. taken on stage during the Delaney & Bonnie tour.Doggett, p. 36.
As with the parent album, the single was a commercial and critical success.Frontani, pp. 15758. "What Is Life" peaked at number 10 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100Castleman & Podrazik, p. 352. and number 7 on 'Cash Box's Top 100 chart,Spizer, p. 231. making Harrison the first ex-Beatle to have two top-ten hits in the United States.Rodriguez, p. 48.Jillian Mapes, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/464932/george-harrisons-10-biggest-billboard-hits "George Harrison's 10 Biggest Billboard Hits"], billboard.com, 29 November 2011 (retrieved 4 June 2014). The single climbed to number 1 in Switzerland and on Australia's 'Go-Set' National Top 60, and reached the top three elsewhere in Europe and in Canada.[http://tsort.info/music/azncfw.htm "George Harrison (Song artist 225)"], Tsort pages (retrieved 16 October 2012). In Britain, where Harrison had resisted issuing a single from 'All Things Must Pass' until midway through January,Badman, pp. 22, 59. "What Is Life" appeared as the B-side of "My Sweet Lord".Castleman & Podrazik, p. 99. The record became the top-selling single of 1971 in that country.Dan Lane, [http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-biggest-selling-singles-of-every-year-revealed-1952-2011-1720/ "The biggest selling singles of every year revealed! (19522011)"], Official Charts Company, 18 November 2012 (retrieved 3 June 2014).
Retrospective assessments and legacy
"What Is Life" is one of Harrison's most commercial and popular songsAllison, p. 132. a "spiritual guitar quest" that "became [a] classic", according to 'Rolling Stone' magazine.[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/george-harrison-all-things-must-pass-19691231 "500 Greatest Albums of All Time: George Harrison, 'All Things Must Pass'"], rollingstone.com (retrieved 5 June 2014). 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.Madinger & Easter, p. 429. 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".Woffinden, p. 38.
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".James Hunter, "George Harrison 'All Things Must Pass' 30th Anniversary reissue", 'Rolling Stone', 29 March 2001; quoted in The Super Seventies "Classic 500", [http://www.superseventies.com/harrison1.html George Harrison 'All Things Must Pass'] (retrieved 19 October 2012). 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".The Editors of 'Rolling Stone', pp. 196201. 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".
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".Moon, p. 345. 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'". 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". 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".MacFarlane, p. 75.
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.John Harris, "What Did George Harrison Ever Do for Us? ...", 'Q', January 2002, pp. 3435. '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."Jason Korenkiewicz, [https://web.archive.org/web/20171008173655/http://www.popmatters.com/review/harrisongeorge-darkhorse/ "Review: 'The Dark Horse Years 19761992'"], 'PopMatters', 3 May 2004 (archived version retrieved 25 October 2020). The track is said to be a favourite of Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl, who titled his 1995 song "Oh, George" in tribute to Harrison.Jack Whatley, [https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/dave-grohl-favourite-beatle-tribute-george-harrison-foo-fighters/ "The Foo Fighters song Dave Grohl wrote in tribute to his favourite Beatle"], 'Far Out', 28 August 2020 (retrieved 11 December 2020). 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."Harvey Kubernik, [https://www.musicconnection.com/kubernik-george-harrison-all-things-must-pass-50th-anniversary/ "George Harrison 'All Things Must Pass' 50th Anniversary"], 'Music Connection', 10 November 2020 (retrieved 12 November 2020).
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".Michael Gallucci, [http://ultimateclassicrock.com/george-harrison-songs/ "Top 10 George Harrison Songs"], 'Ultimate Classic Rock' (retrieved 28 March 2014). 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."Matt Melis, [https://web.archive.org/web/20110402085513/http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/04/list-em-carefully-top-ten-songs-by-ex-beatles/ "List 'Em Carefully: Top Ten Songs by Ex-Beatles"], 'Consequence of Sound', 8 April 2009 (archived version retrieved 11 December 2020). In the 2005 publication 'NME Originals: Beatles The Solo Years 19701980', Adrian Thrills rated it first among Harrison's "ten solo gems", adding: "One of Harrison's greatest guitar riffs brilliant pop."Chris Hunt (ed.), 'NME Originals: Beatles The Solo Years 19701980', IPC Ignite! (London, 2005), p. 23. "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.Madison Desler, [https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/george-harrison/the-20-best-george-harrison-songs/ "The 20 Best George Harrison Songs"], 'Paste', 12 April 2017 (retrieved 11 December 2020).
In a 2010 poll to find the "10 Best George Harrison Songs", AOL Radio listeners voted "What Is Life" third,Womack, p. 982. behind "My Sweet Lord" and "Blow Away".Boonsri Dickinson, [https://web.archive.org/web/20100405020045/http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/04/03/best-george-harrison-songs/ "10 Best George Harrison Songs"], AOL Radio, 3 April 2010 (archived version retrieved 5 April 2021). 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."Andy Greene, [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-10-greatest-solo-beatle-songs-20130605/4-george-harrison-what-is-life-0593944 "4. George Harrison 'What Is Life'"], rollingstone.com, 5 June 2013 (retrieved 30 May 2015). "What Is Life" has featured in Bruce Pollock's book 'The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 19442000', 'Treble' website's "The Top 200 Songs of the 1970s" (ranked at number 101) and Dave Thompson's '1000 Songs That Rock Your World' (at number 247).[http://acclaimedmusic.net/song/S6532.htm "George Harrison 'What Is Life'"], Acclaimed Music (retrieved 9 December 2014).
Subsequent releases and appearances in films
"What Is Life" was included on the 1976 compilation 'The Best of George Harrison', as the closing track,Womack, p. 148. and 2009's 'Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison'.Inglis, pp. 65, 128. The song has also appeared in several popular feature films: Martin Scorsese's 'Goodfellas' (1990),Matt Zoller Seitz, [https://www.salon.com/2011/10/05/living_in_the_material_world_martin_scorsese_george_harrison/ "George Harrison's Inner Light"], 'Salon (website)Salon', 5 October 2011 (retrieved 12 December 2020). 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), for which it was also used in advance promotion;[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Vt9sP8OY8 "'This Is 40' Official Trailer #2 (2012)"], YouTube, August 2012 (retrieved 16 October 2012). and 'Instant Family' (2018), directed by Sean Anders.Pat Padua, [https://www.washingtonpost.com "Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne's 'Instant Family'? A slow-cooker is more like it"], 'The Washington Post', 14 November 2018 (retrieved 13 December 2020). 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'."
A portion of "What Is Life" plays in Scorsese's 2011 documentary 'George Harrison: Living in the Material World',Nick Newman, [https://thefilmstage.com/nyff-review-george-harrison-living-in-the-material-world/ "(NYFF Review) George Harrison: Living in the Material World"], 'The Film Stage', 5 October 2011 (retrieved 12 December 2020). between "Here Comes the Sun" and the Radha Krishna Temple's "Hare Krishna Mantra".[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017lbr0 "Part 2, George Harrison: Living in the Material World"], BBC Online, April 2013 (retrieved 12 December 2020). 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".'George Harrison: Living in the Material World', Disc 2; event occurs between 13:48 and 14:50. 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.Owen Gleiberman, [https://ew.com/article/2011/10/05/george-harrison-in-the-material-world/ "'George Harrison: Living in the Material World' doesn't always penetrate the quiet Beatle, but Martin Scorsese's two-part HBO documentary is a fab nostalgia trip"], 'Entertainment Weekly', 5 October 2011 (retrieved 11 December 2020).
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'.Huntley, p. 307.Ingham, p. 132. This version is a rough mix of the original backing track with different orchestration in this case, piccolo trumpet and oboe.Leng, p. 284.MacFarlane, p. 158. In the accompanying booklet, Harrison writes that this orchestral arrangement was discarded because he "didn't like the feel".George Harrison's liner notes, booklet accompanying 'All Things Must Pass' reissue (Gnome Records, 2001; produced by George Harrison & Phil Spector), p. 11. 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 "Timothy White, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80788/george-harrison-all-things-in-good-time "George Harrison: 'All Things' in Good Time"], billboard.com, 8 January 2001 (retrieved 3 June 2014).
Music video
Coinciding with the release of the 'Apple Years 196875' 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.Steve Marinucci, [https://www.axs.com/olivia-dhani-harrison-to-choose-winner-of-what-is-life-music-video-con-19893 "Olivia & Dhani Harrison to choose winner of 'What Is Life' music video contest"], axs.com, 15 September 2014 (retrieved 21 May 2017). In November, Olivia and Dhani selected Brandon Moore of Oakland, California, as the winner.[http://www.georgeharrison.com/genero-tv-what-is-life-winner-announced/ "Genero.tv 'What is Life' Winner Announced"], georgeharrison.com, 28 November 2014 (retrieved 8 April 2019). 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.Lori Dorn, [https://laughingsquid.com/george-harrison-what-is-life/ "Dancers in Yellow Frolic Around the Woods in the Official Video for George Harrison's 'What Is Life'"], Laughing Squid, 19 June 2018 (retrieved 8 April 2019).Live performance
A live version of the song, recorded with Eric Clapton and his band in December 1991,Inglis, pp. 10708. is available on Harrison's 1992 album 'Live in Japan' album.Ingham, p. 135. The performance was recorded at Tokyo Dome on 17 December,Madinger & Easter, pp. 483, 484. during the final show of the tour.Badman, pp. 471, 473.
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'.'George Harrison: Living in the Material World' Disc 2; event occurs between 50.51 and 51.49.Noel Murray, [https://tv.avclub.com/george-harrison-living-in-the-material-world-1798169887 "TV Reviews: 'George Harrison: Living in the Material World'"], 'The A.V. Club', 5 October 2011 (retrieved 12 December 2020). This was the first US tour by a former Beatle but the concerts were highly controversial and proved damaging to Harrison's artistic standing.The Editors of 'Rolling Stone', p. 44. Rock publications such as 'Rolling Stone' ensured that the tour gained a reputation as a disastrous venture,Leng, p. 174.Rodriguez, p. 59. although bootleg recordings from the shows partly refute this.Doggett, p. 39.Nick DeRiso, [http://ultimateclassicrock.com/george-harrison-1974-tour/ "40 Years Ago: George Harrison Begins Ill-Fated 1974 North American Tour"], 'Ultimate Classic Rock', 2 November 2014 (retrieved 8 June 2015). 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".Leng, p. 172.
Cover versions
Olivia Newton-John
English-born 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'.Sleeve credits, Olivia Newton-John 'Olivia' LP, Pye International Records, 1972 (produced by Bruce Welch & John Farrar). The song was arranged and produced by Bruce Welch of the Shadows and John Farrar, who was Newton-John's regular producer and collaborator during the 1970s.Romanowski & George-Warren, pp. 709, 887.Released as a single in some countries, this version reached the UK top 20 in March 1972,Huntley, p. 56. peaking at number 16. 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."Olivia Tours with Sacha in UK", 'Record Mirror', 11 March 1972, p. 3. "What Is Life" subsequently appeared on her compilation albums 'Back to Basics: The Essential Collection 19711992' (1992)Sleeve credits, Olivia Newton-John 'Back to Basics: The Essential Collection 19711992' CD, Mercury Records, 1992. and 'The Definitive Collection' (2002).Heather Phares, [http://www.allmusic.com/album/definitive-collection-mw0000739711 "Olivia Newton-John 'Definitive Collection'"], AllMusic (retrieved 13 June 2014).
Other artists
"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.Ingham, p. 126. 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".Al Campbell, [http://www.allmusic.com/album/love-story-the-way-we-were-mw0000575419 "Ronnie Aldridge 'Love Story / The Way We Were'"], AllMusic (retrieved 16 September 2012). That same year, the Ventures included an instrumental version on their 'New Testament' album,Billboard Review Panel, [https://books.google.com.au/books?id=1wgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37&lpg=PA37&dq=the+Ventures+%22New+Testament%22+album+review&source=bl&ots=v5zxr00bKS&sig=ACfU3U2gOW8qS8bIyOIzbc2f0Wkyah0w2w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiew868j9LtAhUbzDgGHSEcCCk4HhDoATACegQIBBAC#v=onepage&q=the%20Ventures%20%22New%20Testament%22%20album%20review&f=false "Album Reviews"], 'Billboard', 5 June 1971, p. 37. recorded when the band had progressed from their surf rock roots to embrace fuzz-tone and other heavier guitar sounds.Romanowski & George-Warren, p. 1046. 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.Bruce Eder, [http://www.allmusic.com/album/new-testament-mw0000868440 "The Ventures 'New Testament'"], AllMusic (retrieved 16 December 2020).Shawn Mullins recorded "What Is Life" for the soundtrack of the 1999 film 'Big Daddy'.Eric Aiese, [https://books.google.com.au/books?id=zxEEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22What+Is+Life%22#v=snippet&q=%22What%20Is%20Life%22&f=false "Mullins Moves Forward: Artist Releases 1st New Columbia Album"], 'Billboard', 28 October 2000, p. 19 (retrieved 14 December 2020).Stephen Thomas Erlewine, [http://www.allmusic.com/album/big-daddy-mw0000241564 "Original Soundtrack 'Big Daddy'"], AllMusic (retrieved 16 October 2012). Released as a single, it peaked at number 62 on the UK Singles Chart.[https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/7443/shawn-mullins/ "Artist: Shawn Mullins"], Official Charts Company (retrieved 16 December 2020). 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.David C. Coleman, [https://jesuswired.com/2020/09/01/by-grace-alone-a-conversation-with-progressive-rocks-neal-morse/ "By Grace Alone: A Conversation with Progressive Rock's Neal Morse"], 'Jesus Wired', 1 September 2020 (retrieved 14 December 2020). 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,Nick DeRiso, [https://somethingelsereviews.com/2012/05/03/new-tribute-project-from-morseportnoygeorge-to-include-king-crimson-steely-dan-the-police-elvis-costello/ "New Tribute Project from Morse/Portnoy/George to Include King Crimson, Steely Dan, the Police, Elvis Costello"], 'Something Else!', 3 May 2012 (retrieved 14 December 2020). and the ClaptonHarrison composition "Badge".
"What Is Life" was performed by "Weird Al" Yankovic at the George Fest tribute concert in Los Angeles on 28 September 2014.Bailey Pennick, [http://floodmagazine.com/1854/live-dhani-harrison-and-friends-come-together-to-celebrate-george-harrison-for-jamesons-george-fest-92814/ "LIVE: Dhani Harrison and Friends Come Together to Celebrate George Harrison for Jameson's 'George Fest' (9/28/14)"], 'Flood Magazine', 30 September 2014 (retrieved 16 May 2020). The recording was included on the 'George Fest' live album and concert DVD package in 2016.Megan Volpert, [http://www.popmatters.com/review/george-fest-by-various-artists-and-dhani-harrison/ "Various Artists: George Fest"], 'PopMatters', 29 March 2016 (retrieved 16 May 2020).
Personnel
The following musicians are believed to have played on "What Is Life":Leng, p. 87.
* George Harrison vocals, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, backing vocals
* Eric Clapton rhythm guitar
* Bobby Whitlock organWhitlock, p. 80.
* Carl Radle bass
* Jim Gordon drums
* Jim Price trumpet, horn arrangement
* Bobby Keys saxophone
* Pete Ham acoustic guitar
* Tom Evans acoustic guitar
* Joey Molland acoustic guitar
* Mike Gibbins tambourine
* John Barham string arrangement
Chart performance
George Harrison version
;Weekly charts
;Year-end charts
Olivia Newton-John version
Notes
References
Sources
* Dale C. Allison Jr., 'The Love There That's Sleeping: The Art and Spirituality of George Harrison', Continuum (New York, NY, 2006; ).
* Keith Badman, 'The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the Break-Up 19702001', Omnibus Press (London, 2001; ).
* Harry Castleman & Walter J. Podrazik, 'All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography 19611975', Ballantine Books (New York, NY, 1976; ).
* Alan Clayson, 'George Harrison', Sanctuary (London, 2003; ).
* The Editors of 'Rolling Stone', 'Harrison', Rolling Stone Press/Simon & Schuster (New York, NY, 2002; ).
* Peter Doggett, "George Harrison: The Apple Years 19681975", 'Record Collector', April 2001, pp. 3440.
* Michael Frontani, "The Solo Years", in Kenneth Womack (ed.), 'The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles', Cambridge University Press (Cambridge, UK, 2009; ), pp. 15382.
* '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; ).
* George Harrison, 'I Me Mine', Chronicle Books (San Francisco, CA, 2002; ).
* Olivia Harrison, 'George Harrison: Living in the Material World', Abrams (New York, NY, 2011; ).
* Elliot J. Huntley, 'Mystical One: George Harrison After the Break-up of the Beatles', Guernica Editions (Toronto, ON, 2006; ).
* Chris Ingham, 'The Rough Guide to the Beatles', Rough Guides/Penguin (London, 2006; 2nd edn; ).
* Ian Inglis, 'The Words and Music of George Harrison', Praeger (Santa Barbara, CA, 2010; ).
* 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; ).
* Simon Leng, 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Music of George Harrison', Hal Leonard (Milwaukee, WI, 2006; ).
* Thomas MacFarlane, 'The Music of George Harrison', Routledge (Abingdon, UK, 2019; ).
* Chip Madinger & Mark Easter, 'Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium', 44.1 Productions (Chesterfield, MO, 2000; ).
* Tom Moon, '1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die', Workman Publishing (New York, NY, 2008; ).
* Robert Rodriguez, 'Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 19701980', Backbeat Books (Milwaukee, WI, 2010; ).
* Patricia Romanowski & Holly George-Warren (eds), 'The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll', Fireside/Rolling Stone Press (New York, NY, 1995; ).
* Nicholas Schaffner, 'The Beatles Forever', McGraw-Hill (New York, NY, 1978; ).
* Bruce Spizer, 'The Beatles Solo on Apple Records', 498 Productions (New Orleans, LA, 2005; ).
* Gary Tillery, 'Working Class Mystic: A Spiritual Biography of George Harrison', Quest Books (Wheaton, IL, 2011; ).
* Bobby Whitlock with Marc Roberty, '[https://books.google.com/books?id=n9WQcf2fG-0C&pg=PA73&dq=%22All+Things+Must+Pass%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RwJAUtTHBsiDlQWhzYD4Ag&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22All%20Things%20Must%20Pass%22&f=false Bobby Whitlock: A Rock 'n' Roll Autobiography]', McFarland (Jefferson, NC, 2010; ).
* Bob Woffinden, 'The Beatles Apart', Proteus (London, 1981; ).
* Kenneth Womack, 'The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four', ABC-CLIO (Santa Barbara, CA, 2014; ).
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