"Life" is a song recorded by the Trinidadian-German Eurodance artist Haddaway. It was released on November 5, 1993 as the second single from his debut album, The Album. It was written and produced by Dee Dee Halligan and Junior Torello. The song peaked at number-one in Finland, Greece, Israel, Spain and Sweden. And within the top 5 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Life" reached the top spot. Another CD maxi were produced at the end of that year containing new remixes. By March 1994, "Life" had sold 1.5 million copies worldwide.
Critical reception
editor Jose F. Promis complimented Haddaway's "passionate, urgent delivery" on the song in his review of The Album. Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "although there is no denying the stylistic similarity to Haddaway's huge "What Is Love", this single gains its own strength through a fun, sing-along chorus and warmly upbeat lyrics. Added pleasure comes from Haddaway's assured voice." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented that Haddaway "delivers an early Christmas present. "Life..." comes complete with a melody as compelling as his debut smash, "What Is Love." Kingston Informer called the song "brilliant". Music & Media commented that "variations on a theme have always been bona fide recording tricks and subsequently Life will be What Is Love? Part II." The Network Forty wrote that the song is "familiar in sound" to "What Is Love" and noted further that "this tune will research phenomenally, following in the heels of its predecessor." Reading Evening Post said that "Life" "provides strong evidence to suggest that Haddaway won't be a one-hit wonder". They added that on the song, "he sounds like Seal".
Music video
The music video of "Life" was partly inspired by the 1927 movieMetropolis. Haddaway plays a scientist and inventor, like Rotwang in the movie. He designs a dancing robot, the Maschinenmensch, shaped like a woman. He tries to give life to it and manages to transform it into a real woman. They dance to the rhythm, with the woman following Haddaway's movements. In the end, he takes off her helmet. She opens her eyes and he kisses her.
