Released in June 1998, “Life” was the third single from Des’ree’s third studio album, Supernatural. And while it wasn’t the biggest hit of her career, it’s the one that sparked the most conversations — thanks to its good vibes, catchy hook, and a few eyebrow-raising lyrics that made it one of the most talked-about pop songs of the late ’90s.
Musically, “Life” is a warm, easygoing blend of pop, soul, and soft R&B, with Des’ree’s smooth vocals front and center. It’s got a gentle bounce that makes it feel comforting, and lyrically, it’s all about embracing the everyday and trying to face your fears with a bit of grace and gratitude. It’s uplifting — but a little offbeat.
Of course, what really made the song stand out were those lyrics: “I don’t want to see a ghost / It’s the sight that I fear most / I’d rather have a piece of toast / Watch the evening news.” They quickly became infamous, and not necessarily in a good way. The lines were mocked endlessly and even topped the BBC’s 2006 “worst lyrics ever” poll. Still, depending on who you ask, they’re either charmingly weird or awkward enough to make you drop your toast.
Critics may have been divided, but “Life” did well where it counted — the charts. It hit No. 1 in Austria, Hungary, Italy, and the Netherlands, and cracked the Top 10 in a bunch of other places including the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, and Switzerland. It even did well in Australia, reaching No. 8. The U.S. didn’t embrace it in quite the same way — it didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100 — but it saw modest airplay on adult contemporary radio.
The music video for “Life,” directed by Mike Lipscombe, took the song’s dreamlike vibe and ran with it. Think surreal visuals, butterflies, floating through sugarcane fields — all reinforcing the song’s off-kilter but optimistic energy. It totally leaned into the slightly odd, whimsical tone that made the track so memorable.
By the time “Life” came out, Des’ree (born Desirée Weekes) had already made a name for herself with the hit “You Gotta Be” back in 1994. That track became her calling card, especially in the U.S. With “Life,” she doubled down on what she did best: thoughtful, sincere songs that followed their own path — even if that path involved ghosts and toast.
And while some folks still poke fun at the lyrics, there’s no denying that “Life” stuck with people. It’s been used in ads, TV shows, and memes — and over time, it’s built up a kind of cult love. Not because it was perfect, but because it was unapologetically itself.