What is Life? - George Harrison | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION! 

Everyone needs a little George Harrison in their life! This song in particular makes your day exponentially better.✌❤

Thank Phil Spector for the "wall of sound" muddiness. George said later that he hated all the reverb. I still recommend this album (All Things Must Pass) for a full review. It is outstanding.

George , the overlooked and under appreciated member of the Fab 4 , had a volume of hit songs , and had a soul as rich as his music , R.I.P

What a group of players on this too. Some of the best of that time. George Harrison - vocals, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, backing vocals Eric Clapton - rhythm guitar Bobby Whitlock - organ Carl Radle - bass Jim Gordon - drums Jim Price - trumpet, horn arrangement Bobby Keys - saxophone Pete Ham - acoustic guitar - "Badfinger" Tom Evans - acoustic guitar - "Badfinger" Joey Molland - acoustic guitar - "Badfinger" Mike Gibbins - tambourine - "Badfinger" John Barham - string arrangement

My favorite George Harrison song as a solo artist...

George has become my favorite Beatle as time goes on. He really was the soul of the Beatles.

I always get a kick out of Alex's panic when there's a pause in a song.

Just think - this man was regarded as the third string songwriter in the group. The Beatles were truly on another level as a collective.

A&A, you’ll love his "Got My Mind Set on You" and “My Sweet Lord”!!

Soon after I met my husband to be, he sat me down and said, "I'd always hoped that some day I'd find someone that I'd want to play this song for." And he played "What is Life?" And that was that.

The 2020 remix is a must-hear now. George’s voice shines out clearly.

7:46 kind of uncanny that Alex calls this production a "big wash of sound" because producer Phil Spector was known for his "wall of sound" production technique -- Phil called his songs "little symphonies." Alex is pretty dialed into the differences between George Martin and Phil Spector as producer.

George's final album, "Brainwashed" is a must-listen. He was dying, and knew this would be his last record. Not many artists know that, going into an album recording. It is some of his finest work

This album is a masterpiece, one of the greatest albums of all time.

I was actually surprised that neither of you was feeling an "S" here. For me, it's the very best post-Beatles song by any of them. The beauty of it only increases over the years.

It turned out that "the quiet Beatle" had an awful lot to say. Great song. Groundbreaking album.

OMG ! For some reason this song brings tears of happiness to my eyes everytime I hear it! ❤❤❤

"What Is Life" - all-time Happy Harrison song! You can't resist smiling.

What Andy might be referring to and Alex is hearing is the Phil Spector "Wall of sound" that is obviously employed on this song, being that Phil Spector was a co-producer on this song. With strings and big reverb , the song gives off wash of big sound, hence a "Wall of sound".

One of many ,of his songs,that really jumped out at you on the radio. His music is very comforting.

I always imagined this on a Beatles album with John and Paul doing backing vocals. Paul doing his bass lines. It would have been an epic Beatle track. I still love it.

Phil Spector tried to recreate his "Wall of Sound" with George's debut album. I love this song!

My favorite song from George is My Sweet Lord. This song has been on my playlist since I’ve had a playlist.

This song sounded great on plain old AM radio…

No song takes me back like this one. It raises that lump of nostalgia in my throat every time I hear it.

One of my feel good songs❤

His best song. Great musicians on this cut too.

Absolutely love George Harrison songs. Great slide player and a brilliant songwriter.

One of my favorites of his ❤

This is a thousand times better than “My Sweet Lord,” which is his best known and most popular song.

I was ten years old when this came out and its been one of my favorite songs since then. Even as a little kid I liked the sound of it, but the older I got I was able to really appreciate the incredible production. The layering of all the different instruments - there's so much going on but its arranged perfectly. The strings, the horns, the guitars and bass - incredible. Its such an uplifting song too. George Harrison was an amazing artist to say the least. I have to say, I was disappointed you guys didn't like it more. Its one of those situations where you love a song so much and are excited for someone else to hear and and they're like "Its good", but they don't have the same appreciation of it you do.

As others have mentioned, the muddiness was a production choice driven by Phil Spector to create his trademark "Wall of Sound." You can also hear that in "Wah-wah" off the same album. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Lotsa folks think the Spector version of the Beatles' "Long and Winding Road" was way too much with the strings and such. I happen to like it here. You really should check out the official video for this, which was only selected in the years since George's passing by his wife Olivia. It adds a lot of thought-provoking imagery to contemplate along with the lyrics, not to mention being sublimely joyous to watch.

This is the George Harrison song that makes me happy without being more than what it is. Keep in mind all that music production was experimenting with at the time, and you'll be able to forgive techniques we wouldn't dare use in production today! It's a great song and gets greater every time I hear it. I hope that it will for you, too.

A&A...I'm thinking that this will become an S-tier song for both of you over time....just one of those perfect songs, in my opinion.

You really need to hear “My Sweet Lord” such a spiritual song. My hidden suggestion would be “You” by George. Always loved that song.

Pretty sure this whole album was co-produced by Phil Spector, hence that wall of sound he liked to create. George was smart not to let Spector overwhelm the whole album cuz this is a masterpiece & so is this song. Thnx guys 🔥 ✌🏻 ☮️

This is my favorite Harrison solo song. I agree with Alex that this is an A+, but I agree with Andy that "Up on Cripple Creek" is an A+ too. I don't think there's much doubt that the next solo Harrison song should be "My Sweet Lord", considering that it was left off of the George solo poll because it was presumed (probably correctly) that it would sweep the poll.

My favourite George Harrison song by far!

My recollection, going back fifty years, is that this is a song that needs to be heard LOUD!

This song takes me back to my teenage years! I started high school in 1970. I still love the song. Solid A+ all these years later.

I don't know how to describe it but this song sounds bigger than life

My fave Hartison tune, but the one he gave to Ringo i like even more, the wonderful "Photograph"

This album is part of the fabric of my life. The whole album is a gem, and these songs are a must hear: “Awaiting On You All”, “Beware of Darkness” “,Behind That Locked Door”(with gorgeous steel guitar), “I’d Have You Anytime”. The jams on this album are amazing.

Yes, the infamous Wall of Sound from Phil. Another gem from George and his standout LP. Wah-Wah is another great example.

That's what I love about this song, messy and chaotic. What life can be sometimes. One of the very few 45's I bought back in the day.

a very specific anecdote. This tune made my mornings so much better. heard it most every morning on WOWO Ft Wayne IN while milking a small herd of dairy cattle before catching the school bus for high school. soak that in. . .

Your Rating & The Way You Described The Song,, Non-Bombastic,, Understated,, Even A Little Humble If You Will..Well,, That Actually Also Describes George Perfectly...R.I.P. George

George is my favorite solo Beatle. What a great composer and singer as well as a class A guitarist. All Things Must Pass lp is worthy of a reaction even though it"s a double lp (not counting the third jam lp). Enjoyed the reaction guys.

"Wall of sound" Phil Spector produced it.

I think the fuzziness is it's charm. It wraps a wall of happiness around you!

Wha-Wha. Great song that celebrated his feelings about the Beatles.

I love this song. His voice on this one really makes you aware of how important his voice was to the sound of the Beatles. Production is great and the instrumentation is spot on. Great song choice. Thank you for your reactions. I am going to go S tier though A+ is probably where it belongs but it brings back so many memories. Oh!!! ((((shivers)))) That amazing George Harrison guitar!!!

In my opinion, this is George's best song.

My daughter and I sing and dance to this song together 💘💘💘

The songs reverb to me is what makes it unique I like it, chorus back round is super cool , tambourine and the breaks are sweet, just a great feel good jam!

This song is so underrated.

I love, love, love this song. Def S tier for me. In my opinion, this is one where the Wall of Sound (much reviled by many; although I like Andy’s “Wash of Sound” 😉) really works to make the song epic. No day that I hear this song is entirely bad.

My favorite George solo song and ALL the Beatles were cool

Paul McCartney and the Wings - Band on the Run - Uncle Albert - Jet - Listen to what the Man Says - Live and Let Die

Adore this song and George Harrison. How can you not feel better after listening to this? This entire album is a gem. Another great song is "Beware of Darkness" - haunting and beautiful. Thanks so much for posting this, great reaction guys! You just made my day 🌿🧡😊

A+. Lyrically simple but direct and to the point, a no-nonsense love song elevated by masterful production and a catchy riff. Lots of folks pointing out the obvious Wall of Sound vibe . More George Harrison recommendations? "Beware of Darkness", "Wah Wah", "If I Needed Someone".

This is definitely my favorite and I think most closely resembles a Beatles song. This is S tier for me.

...and he's the "other" Beetle....unbelievable, the talent of the "Fab 4."

Wah-Wah and Beware Of Darkness are my 2 favorite songs on this album. Wah-Wah is Alan White uncredited on drums. I met Alan in 2001 and told him I heard the same drum feel on Going For The One by Yes and he told me he didn’t realize it until I mentioned it. He was such a sweet man.

One of my favorites!

Forget the rating. I have listened to that song a million times and ALWAYS felt better afterward!

Those little snippets of slide guitar between the lines of the last verse are SO George Harrison. Excellent.

My favourite. Thanks

Phil Spector was co-producer on this song, known for his Wall of Sound production. This was more of his sound than George Martin. My wife loves this song. So excited that you're doing 'Hi-Fidelity'.

Beautiful George! Heart and soul.

One of my favorite RU-vid live performance videos from those in the Beatles family is George’s son Dhani on Conan’s show doing his dad’s song Let It Down. So very good to my ears and eyes. Search for Dhani Harrison and Friends: Let It Down

George busted out so hard with this debut and made a White-album-level classic.

First 😊❤LOVE THIS SONG!

All Things Must Pass was the first album I ever bought, in 1971 for my twelfth birthday and this song is George Harrison's finest moment, among many fine moments. Brilliant.

"Blow Away" is a wonderful, uplifting, underrated Harrisong.

You should check out more Traveling Wilburys. ”Tweeter and the Monkey man” and ”end of the line”.

First! What are the chances? NEVER on this channel, after three years I got my chance! 😀

The Phil Spectrum Sound! Undeniable Genius. Harrison/Clapton Sound - Know it in a few cords! Musical Perfection!

You guys are identifying the signature "Phil Spector Wall of Sound".

Just a reminder that the lead guitarist, bassist and drummer on this song and album became Derek and the Dominos. Eric Clapton, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon.

Really great video to this song with Emma Rubinowitz (joined in the second half by Esteban Hernandez) as the lead interpretive dance performer.

Still miss you, George.

"My sweet lord" should be your next George Harrison song

So glad you covered this tune. I hope you guys get around to doing some leg work on Phil Spector and his "Wall of Sound" Not only Spector produced music but by those songs that also emulated it such as Bridge over Troubled Water and Born to Run. It may not change your mind, but you will have a better understanding of it and its historical impact.

My favorite post-Beatles song, by far, from George. He also happened to write my all-time favorite pop/rock song-Something. I challenge anyone to come up with any current song that matches this one.

Andy, what you may have not liked was the production by Phil Spector. He tended to create an effect in his music he called "the Wall of Sound". I think you wanted George's vocals to stick out more than the instrumentation and backup vocals. Not sure which version you guys listened to but you might like the 2014 remaster better. At least for me George's vocals stand out a little more.

I have ALWAYS loved this song!!!!!!

Totally understand what Andy is saying, and very cool to read about everyone describing the "wall of sound"! I *adore* this song and I think that "wall of sound" technique may be why I remember it as being way louder than it really is! I always imagine him screaming the lyrics, but as they began the song I found myself turning my volume up louder to really appreciate it. Interesting! Hope you do enjoy it more and more on your further listens, Andy!

It’s inclusion in an important Goodfellas scene makes the song even cooler. It also made Goodfellas cooler.

other George gems 1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 2. Within You Without You 3. My Sweet Lord

Love this song......He is the most talented of all the Beatles.....

All things must pass is one of my favorite albums. I still have it on vinyl. It's still amazing to think both George and John are gone. The extra music we have lost out on is so sad. I think sometimes George gets the short end of the stick as far as his fame and song recognition goes. He is definitely the hidden gem off the Fab. 4. My sweet Lord should be the follow up.

George brought in Phil Specter to produce his first solo album and as usual Specter over produced it. He was famous for his "wall of sound", but for many, it's too much. FWIW, I have the recent reissue 50th anniversary edition which includes several discs of George's demos for these songs, just George and an acoustic guitar and the words. These are great because Specter wasn't involved yet.

Me driving down the road air tambourining with a big ole smile on my face, love this song

How can this song not being a smile to anyone’s face?

I see that a lot of other people have already told you that the problems that you had with the production on the song is probably due to Phil Spector’s role as co-producer. I personally love this song. And George’s distinctive guitar style always feels so easy to identify to me. As this song is from George Harrison’s brilliant debut solo album, I would still encourage you to consider covering that entire album some month on Patreon. And I am going to continue to encourage you to choose the Concert for Bangladesh for your monthly movie choice whenever you want to do another concert movie. Plus you can’t forget Martin Scorsese‘s biopic movie of George Harrison‘s life called Living in a Material World, not to be mistaken by his album of the same name. I know that recently you guys were turned off by a Neil Young music video, and thought that the video might have ruined the song for you. In the case of George Harrison I’m going to suggest that you make an exception and watch the music video of his song Crackerbox Palace. George was a big fan of Monty Python, and the video to Crackerbox Palace was made by members of Monty Python. The video is totally silly and irreverent in the best of ways IMO. Plus it gives you a glimpse of George’s famous home Friar Park, which is where the video was filmed. George is definitely my favorite Beatle, as well as one of my favorite people in general. He was a very special human and like John Lennon, we lost him far too soon.

You guys pretty much hit the best from George. Now it's time to hit the best solo Beatles career of Lennon. He had by far the best first 3 albums and definitely the most recognizable hits and a number of masterpieces.

One of my all-time favorite songs....it was my growing up years.... Fabulous..dreamy. Fun... Fantastic..

What I love about this song is that it truly sounds like it could've been released today as far as pop styles go, ahead of it's time in the pop genre. it's more than that, but that aspect stands out.

Alice Cooper (with Donavan ) "Billion Dollar Babies" (73) 🔥 Donavan adds a lot to this!