Deborah Chan
George Harrison's What Is Life is an upbeat soul tune and one of the musician's most popular compositions. The song, written in 1969, was originally intended for Billy Preston, but Harrison kept it for himself and released it in 1970. What Is Life has been described as a classic and an exultant song of surrender by Rolling Stone magazine, and it has appeared in several popular films, including Goodfellas (1990) and Instant Family (2018). The song is also notable for its guitar work, with Harrison's riff being compared to that of Here Comes the Sun. The lyrics of What Is Life are interpreted as a love song, though some listeners believe it to be a devotional song reflecting Harrison's spirituality rather than a religious song.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Uptempo soul tune |
| Writer | George Harrison |
| Publisher | BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc. |
| Year | 1970 |
| Originally intended for | Billy Preston |
| Featured | Eric Clapton, the entire Delaney & Bonnie band |
| Chorus vocals | Performed by Harrison himself and credited to "the George O'Hara-Smith Singers" |
| Lyrics | Spiritual, devotional |
| Guitar work | Acoustic vs. electric |
| Riff | Descending |
| Films featured in | Goodfellas (1990), Patch Adams (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Away We Go (2009), This Is 40 (2012), Instant Family (2018) |
| Music video | Features Emma Rubinowitz and Esteban Hernandez, both of the San Francisco Ballet |
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What You'll Learn
- George Harrison's What is Life was originally intended for Billy Preston
- The song was released in 1970 as the first track on side two of All Things Must Pass
- What is Life is an upbeat song with anthemic qualities and a catchy chorus?
- The song is included in several feature films, including Goodfellas (1990) and Patch Adams (1998)
- Harrison's widow and son held a worldwide contest in 2016 to determine the music video for the song
George Harrison's What is Life was originally intended for Billy Preston
"What Is Life" is a song written by George Harrison in 1969. It was originally intended for his friend and Apple protégé Billy Preston, who had previously worked with The Beatles on "Let It Be". Harrison wrote the song while on his way to produce one of Preston's albums, but ultimately decided to keep it for himself, feeling it was too difficult to offer it to Preston during the session.
The song was released in late November 1970 as the first track on side two of Harrison's album All Things Must Pass. It was also issued as a single in America in February 1971, backed by "Apple Scruffs". "What Is Life" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 on Cash Box's Top 100 chart, making Harrison the first ex-Beatle to have two top-ten hits. The song has been described as an exultant song of surrender by Rolling Stone magazine and praised for its anthemic qualities and "snazzy horn lines" by AllMusic.
"What Is Life" is an uptempo soul tune and one of Harrison's most popular compositions. It has appeared in several feature films, including Goodfellas (1990), Patch Adams (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Away We Go (2009), This Is 40 (2012), and Instant Family (2018). The song's recording featured Eric Clapton and the entire Delaney & Bonnie band, as well as musicians from Badfinger.
While Harrison is known for his spiritual and devotional songs, "What Is Life" is believed to be about earthly, physical love. The lyrics express the narrator's willingness to do whatever it takes to make their love succeed, even if it's not the kind of love the other person needs.
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The song was released in 1970 as the first track on side two of All Things Must Pass
"What Is Life" was released in November 1970 as the first track on side two of George Harrison's album "All Things Must Pass". It was Harrison's first solo work after the break-up of The Beatles earlier that year. The song is an upbeat soul tune and one of Harrison's most popular compositions. It is built around a descending guitar riff and features vocals and strings overdubbed by Harrison at Trident Studios.
The song has been described as a classic and an exultant song of surrender by Rolling Stone magazine, and it has appeared in several popular films, including "Goodfellas" (1990), "Patch Adams" (1998), and "Instant Family" (2018). "What Is Life" was also included on the 1976 compilation "The Best of George Harrison" and has been praised for its anthemic qualities and singalong magnetism.
The album "All Things Must Pass" was co-produced by Harrison and Phil Spector, and it topped charts around the world. It included other hit singles such as "My Sweet Lord" and "Isn't It a Pity." The album also introduced Harrison's signature slide guitar sound and featured contributions from many musicians, including Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Billy Preston.
"What Is Life" has been recognised as a favourite by many, including Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl, and it has left a lasting impact on music, with its widescreen sound influencing recordings by ELO and Oasis. The song's enduring popularity and critical acclaim showcase its significance in Harrison's illustrious career.
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What is Life is an upbeat song with anthemic qualities and a catchy chorus
George Harrison's "What Is Life" is an upbeat song with anthemic qualities and a catchy chorus. The song, released in 1970, is an uptempo soul tune and one of Harrison's most popular compositions. It is characterized by its descending guitar riff and features vocals and strings overdubbed by Harrison himself.
The song is known for its "singalong magnetism," with a chorus that has been described as "catchy" and "giant pop hook." It has been included in various compilations and soundtracks, showcasing its enduring appeal. "What Is Life" has appeared in the soundtrack for feature films such as Goodfellas (1990), Patch Adams (1998), Big Daddy (1999), and more recently, Instant Family (2018).
The lyrics of "What Is Life" are open to interpretation. While some view it as a devotional song reflecting Harrison's spirituality, others see it as a love song directed at a woman or a deity. The song's message resonates with listeners, and it has been described as "deceptively simple," revealing more layers upon repeated listening.
"What Is Life" is considered a favourite by many, including Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl, who titled his 1995 song "Oh, George" in tribute to Harrison. The song's upbeat and anthemic nature, coupled with its catchy chorus, has contributed to its popularity and impact on the music industry.
Additionally, in 2016, Harrison's widow, Olivia, and son, Dhani, held a worldwide contest to determine the official music video for the song. This further showcases the song's lasting impact and its ability to inspire creativity in others.
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The song is included in several feature films, including Goodfellas (1990) and Patch Adams (1998)
George Harrison's "What Is Life" has been featured in several popular films. The song was first included in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990), during the May 11, 1980 sequence. Goodfellas is an American biographical gangster film directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Nicholas Pileggi and Scorsese, and produced by Irwin Winkler. It is a film adaptation of Pileggi's 1985 non-fiction book, Wiseguy. The film narrates the rise and fall of Mafia associate Henry Hill and his friends and family from 1955 to 1980. Goodfellas is considered one of the best films of 1990 and one of the greatest films of all time.
The song was also included in Tom Shadyac's Patch Adams (1998), a comedy-drama film starring Robin Williams. The film tells the story of a medical student who discovers the healing power of laughter. Patch Adams received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success.
In addition to Goodfellas and Patch Adams, "What Is Life" has also appeared in other feature films such as Big Daddy (1999), Away We Go (2009), This Is 40 (2012), and Instant Family (2018). The song's popularity and impact are further highlighted by its inclusion in various compilations and live performances by Harrison.
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Harrison's widow and son held a worldwide contest in 2016 to determine the music video for the song
In 2016, Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison, and son, Dhani Harrison, launched a global competition to create a
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Frequently asked questions
George Harrison was a singer-songwriter and former member of the Beatles.
The song is thought to be about a real, earthly, physical love. However, some believe it to be a devotional song, inspired by Harrison's spiritual beliefs.
Harrison wrote the song in 1969 and it was released in 1970.
Yes, the song has been covered by Neal Morse, Olivia Newton-John and "Weird Al" Yankovic.
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