"What Is Life" is a song by George Harrison and is the first track on side … Read Full Bio ↴"What Is Life" is a song by George Harrison and is the first track on side two of his 1970 solo album All Things Must Pass. It was released as the second single from that album in the United States on February 15, 1971 with another album track, "Apple Scruffs," as the B-side. On March 27, "What Is Life" peaked at #10 in the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was written for Billy Preston in 1969, but Harrison decided not to ask Preston to record the song during his "funky" phase, seeing the song as too much of a "catchy pop tune".

An instrumental outtake version of the song appears on the 2001 re-release of All Things Must Pass. Featuring a piccolo trumpet and oboe, it was discarded because Harrison "didn't like the feel".

05 What Is Life
George Harrison Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What I feel, I can't say
But my love is there for you, any time of day
But if it's not love that you need
Then I'll try my best to make everything succeed

Tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side?

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

Tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side
Tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side?

What I feel, I can't say
But my love is there for you any time of day
But if it's not love that you need
Then I'll try my best to make everything succeed

Tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side
Oh tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side?

What is my life without your love
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side?

Oh tell me, what is my life without your love
Tell me who am I without you by my side?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "What Is Life" by George Harrison are written about a love that is always there for someone else, no matter what they need. The lyrics suggest that the singer's love is always available for his significant other. He will do everything in his power to make things work, even if it is not love that his beloved is looking for. The singer pleads with his partner, asking them what their life would be like without his love and companionship.

Throughout the song, George Harrison stresses the importance of a life without love. For him, nothing is meaningful unless he is with his loved one. He is willing to do whatever it takes to keep their relationship strong and vibrant. These lyrics suggest that George was deeply in love with someone at the time.

The song shows the singer's vulnerability and deep emotional connection to his partner. George's smooth voice and the song's catchy melody make it a classic love song that many listeners can relate to. The emotional expressiveness of the lyrics makes it an enduring truth anytime love is on the line.

Line by Line Meaning

What I feel, I can't say
Although I can't fully express my emotions, my love for you is unconditionally present.

But my love is there for you, any time of day
My love for you is unwavering and always available, regardless of the time of day.

But if it's not love that you need
If love is not what you require, then I am willing to provide whatever support you need to succeed.

Then I'll try my best to make everything succeed
I will do my utmost to ensure that you succeed in everything that you do, even if it means not being with me.

Tell me, what is my life without your love
Without your love, my life is incomplete, and I need you to make it whole.

Tell me, who am I without you, by my side?
You are an integral part of my identity, and without you, I am lost and unrecognizable.

What I know, I can do
If I continue to share love like I share it with you, then I can accomplish great things.

If I give my love now to everyone like you
If I could share my love with everyone the way I do with you, then the world would be a much better place.

Oh tell me, what is my life without your love
Once again, I am asking you, what is the purpose of my life without your love to guide me?

Tell me who am I without you by my side?
Without you by my side, I am nobody, and my purpose in life loses all meaning.

Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: George Harrison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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