Live Is Life
"Live Is Life" is a song by the Austrian pop rock band Opus, originally recorded live during a concert in Oberwart, Austria, on September 2, 1984, and released later that year as the lead single from their debut live album of the same name by labels Polydor and OK Musica.[1][2] The track, created as an impromptu sing-along encore to engage fans during the band's 11th anniversary celebration, features an upbeat, anthemic melody with lyrics emphasizing unity and the joy of living in the moment, such as "Live is life / Na na na na na / Live is life / La ba de da."[3][4] The song achieved widespread commercial success, selling approximately 15 million singles and 2 million albums worldwide, and securing around 20 number-one or top-ten positions across European charts in the summer of 1985.[3] In the UK, it peaked at number 6 on the Official Singles Chart, spending 16 weeks in the top 100, while in the US it reached number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986; it also topped the charts in Canada.[5][6] Its infectious energy and live atmosphere propelled it to enduring popularity, leading to over 30 covers, remixes, and inclusions in numerous compilations.[3] Culturally, "Live Is Life" gained iconic status through a 1989 UEFA Cup semi-final warm-up routine by Argentine footballer Diego Maradona, who juggled a ball to the song's rhythm in front of Napoli fans at Munich's Olympiastadion, creating one of the most memorable viral sports moments predating social media.[7] The track's rights have been managed by Opus Music Publishing since 1998, and it continues to resonate globally, from Japan to Latin America, symbolizing communal celebration and live performance vitality.[3]Opus Original Version
Background and Creation
Opus, an Austrian pop-rock band, was formed in 1973 in the Styria region near Graz by keyboardist Kurt Rene Plisnier, guitarist Ewald Pfleger, and bassist Walter Bachkönig, with drummer Günter Grasmuck joining soon after for early concerts in Burgenland and Styria.[8] Initially focused on rock covers of bands like Deep Purple alongside original compositions, the group organized the Austria Rock Festival in 1978, marking a key milestone in their development. By the early 1980s, Opus transitioned to a more accessible pop-rock style, evident in their debut album Daydreams (1980), which incorporated classical influences, and the follow-up Eleven (1981), featuring hits like "Eleven" and "Flyin' High" that established their commercial presence in Austria.[8] The song "Live Is Life" originated in the context of Opus's 11th anniversary celebrations, with guitarist Ewald Pfleger composing it while vacationing on Ibiza specifically for the occasion, aiming to embody the exhilaration of live performances.[9] It premiered during the band's anniversary concert on September 2, 1984, at the stadium in Oberwart, Austria, where thousands of fans gathered; the upbeat track emerged from the electric atmosphere, capturing the spontaneous joy and vibrancy of the moment without any prior studio preparation.[8][9] An initial attempt to record the performance failed when the tape ran out, prompting an impromptu encore replay that successfully preserved the raw energy and formed the foundation of the released version.[9] Songwriting credits for "Live Is Life" are attributed to the core band members—Ewald Pfleger as primary composer on guitar, alongside Kurt Rene Plisnier on keyboards, Günter Grasmuck on drums, Niki Gruber on bass, and Herwig Rüdisser on vocals—reflecting their collaborative spirit during this pivotal live creation.[10] The feel-good theme, centered on embracing life's lively essence through communal singing and rhythm, directly drew from the infectious crowd interaction at the Oberwart event, transforming a celebratory jam into an enduring anthem.[9]Recording and Release
The song "Live Is Life" was captured live during Opus's eleventh anniversary concert at the Inform Stadium in Oberwart, Austria, on September 2, 1984.[1] The multitrack recording from this performance was selected for the single, with mixing handled to retain the spontaneous, energetic feel of the live event and minimal post-production applied to preserve its raw quality.[1][11] The production was overseen by Peter Müller, who also served as recording and mixing engineer.[12] The single was released in Austria in 1984 by OK Music on a 7-inch vinyl format, featuring "Up and Down" as the B-side.[13] This was followed by an international rollout through Polydor Records, with the track included on Opus's debut live album Live Is Life, issued in 1984. The album captured additional material from the Oberwart show, emphasizing the band's live dynamism.[12] In 2024, Opus rerecorded an updated version of the song titled "Live Is Life – Catch the Spirit" in collaboration with the Schick Sisters, serving as the official anthem for the Women's EHF EURO 2024 handball championship hosted in Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland.[14] This rerecording incorporated modern production elements, such as refreshed arrangements and vocal contributions from the guests, while maintaining the original's core melody and structure to evoke its timeless appeal.[14][1] The track premiered in August 2024, ahead of the tournament.[14]Composition and Lyrics
"Live Is Life" is an upbeat pop-rock song characterized by its energetic blend of synthesizers, a prominent horn section, and a driving rhythm section that contributes to its anthemic quality. The track is composed in the key of A minor at a tempo of approximately 96 beats per minute (BPM), creating a lively pace suitable for its celebratory mood.[15] Its structure follows a conventional verse-chorus format with extended instrumental breaks, allowing for dynamic builds and crowd engagement typical of live performances. The arrangement incorporates signature guitar riffs and percussive elements that enhance the song's infectious, danceable groove, clocking in at 4:15 for the original single version.[16] The lyrics, penned by E. Pfleger and the band Opus, emphasize themes of living in the moment and the joy of communal energy, encapsulated in the repetitive chorus line "Live is life when we all give the power." This simple, mantra-like phrasing avoids complex narratives, instead fostering an anthemic, universal appeal that invites audience participation. The verses build on this by evoking shared efforts and the power of music, reinforcing unity and positivity without delving into deeper storytelling.[4] Influenced by the 1980s Euro-pop scene, the song merges polished pop sensibilities with a raw, live jam session vibe, highlighted by its recording during a concert in Oberwart, Austria, which infuses improvisation and spontaneity into the performance. This hybrid style captures the era's enthusiasm for high-energy, accessible anthems that blend electronic and rock elements for broad appeal.[16]Personnel
The original recording of "Live Is Life" featured the core lineup of the Austrian band Opus, which had been stable since the band's formation in 1973 and remained consistent through the 1984–1985 period. Herwig Rüdisser provided lead vocals, delivering the energetic and anthemic performance that defined the track's live feel. Ewald Pfleger handled guitar and backing vocals, notably composing and playing the iconic opening guitar riff that drives the song's intro and sets its upbeat tone. Kurt René Plisnier contributed on keyboards, adding the synth elements that enhance the pop-rock energy. Niki Gruber (full name Peter Niklas Gruber) played bass and provided backing vocals, laying the rhythmic foundation. Günter Grasmuck rounded out the rhythm section on drums and percussion, supporting the track's driving beat recorded live at Oberwart Stadium on September 2, 1984. No external session musicians were involved in the recording. The song was produced by Peter Müller, who oversaw the live capture and mixing at Sound Mill Vienna. This lineup saw no major changes during the era surrounding the song's release, with the band maintaining its original configuration until they disbanded in 2021 following a farewell tour.)Commercial Performance
International Chart Positions
"Live Is Life" by Opus became a major international hit in 1985, topping charts in multiple European countries and reaching number one in Canada. The song's upbeat, live-recorded energy contributed to its widespread appeal, leading to prolonged stays on various national singles charts.[17] The following table summarizes the song's peak positions and durations on key international charts:| Country | Peak Position | Weeks at #1 | Total Weeks on Chart | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 1 | 4 | 18 | austriancharts.at danishcharts.dk |
| West Germany | 1 | 6 | 27 | danishcharts.dk germancharts.de |
| France | 1 | 7 | 23 | lescharts.com |
| Sweden | 1 | 4 | 11 | danishcharts.dk facebook.com (80s music group post citing Sverigetopplistan) |
| Norway | 2 | - | 15 | danishcharts.dk |
| Switzerland | 2 | - | 21 | danishcharts.dk |
| Netherlands | 3 | - | - | sacharts.wordpress.com |
| United Kingdom | 6 | - | 16 | officialcharts.com |
| Canada | 1 | 7 | - | ukmix.org (RPM chart data) |
| United States (Billboard Hot 100) | 32 | - | 16 | billboard.com |
| Australia | 28 | - | - | sacharts.wordpress.com |