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"[REF] Delaney & Bonnie European tour, along with Eric Clapton, the previous December, Harrison was well placed to record "What Is Life", Leng observes [REF].
The recording is defined by Harrison's descending, fuzztone guitar riff,[REF] which also serves as the motif for the chorus [REF].