After the Beatles stopped touring in 1966, George started writing more songs than could be fitted onto the albums so that by the time of the split he had built up a collection of songs, some used on his debut solo album, All Things Must Pass. The album, released in 1970, contains the two-time number one hit, "My Sweet Lord".
Harrison is also credited for creating music benefits, notably the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. Harrison played beside Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and Leon Russell to a crowd of 40,000 in Madison Square Garden, New York. The show raised over $240,000 benefiting the George Harrison Fund for Bangladesh relief.
Harrison went on to release several successful solo albums, and in the late 1980s collaborated with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, in a group called Traveling Wilburys. The group released two albums. Later, Harrison reunited with the other two surviving Beatles, after John Lennon's murder in 1980, to produce two final Beatles records, "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love" featuring the voice of Lennon, taken from home demos provided by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. The three Beatles also co-wrote a massive autobiography and television special, both titled "The Beatles Anthology."
Before his death, Harrison conceived of a Cirque du Soleil show, "Love," featuring remixes of Beatles music which were overseen by Beatles producer George Martin.
Harrison died on November 29, 2001 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a wife and son, Olivia and Dhani Harrison. His last album, Brainwashed, was released posthumously and featured the single "Any Road".
A benefit concert in Harrison's memory was played on 29 November 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall. The star-studded event (featuring Eric Clapton and Monty Python, as well as former band mates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr) was released on the DVD double-album, Concert for George.
What Is Life
George Harrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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?
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?
George Harrison's song "What Is Life" is regarded as one of the greatest love songs ever recorded. The song describes the artist's unconditional love for someone and explores the existence of life without that love. The opening lines reflect the singer's inability to explicitly express their feelings even though their love for that special someone is available at all times. The artist further states that if it's something different from love that the person requires, he is willing to do all that's necessary to ensure that everything is successful.
The chorus is where the prevalent question in the song arises. The singer asks what his life will be without the love of that special someone by his side. He puts forth the question in two different lines in the chorus, emphasizing the importance of the other person in his life. It is evident that the artist can't envision a life devoid of the other person's love. The song concludes with another repetition of the chorus, reiterating the artist's dependency on the other person and how their love is an essential aspect of his life.
Overall, George Harrison's song is a timeless piece, questioning the very existence of life without love. The song emphasizes the significance of love and how it's pivotal to someone's life. The song's ability to convey the singer's love for someone even though he can't express it fully resonates with listeners worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
What I feel, I can't say
I have intense emotions for you but struggle to put them into words.
But my love is there for you, any time of day
I will always be there for you and have an unwavering love for you.
But if it's not love that you need
If what you need isn't love then I will do everything in my power to provide for you.
Then I'll try my best to make everything succeed
I will do my best to make sure everything works out for you.
Tell me, what is my life without your love
I cannot conceive of what my life would be without your love.
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side?
I am lost without your presence and need you in my life.
What I know, I can do
I have the ability to do great things and accomplish what I set my mind to.
If I give my love now to everyone like you
If I spread my love and kindness to everyone like I do for you.
Oh tell me, what is my life without your love
Please help me understand the impact of not having your love in my life.
What is my life without your love
I feel incomplete and lost without your love.
Tell me, who am I without you, by my side?
I need you to help define who I am and give me purpose.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind