What Is It Like

"What Is It Like" is a contemplative exploration of empathy, perspective, and the boundless curiosity of the human mind. The song's meaning is not rooted in a narrative but in its central, recurring question. By having the vocalist, Pamela Anderson, pose a series of imaginative questions about different states of being, the song invites listeners to step outside their own consciousness. It challenges the listener to consider perspectives entirely alien to their own—from the life of a plant to the existence of a star. The collaboration itself adds a layer of meaning; featuring a well-known public figure in such a philosophical and stripped-down role subverts expectations and adds to the track's unique, questioning atmosphere. In a track-by-track breakdown of the album "Amadeus," Wolfram mentioned that he admires Pamela Anderson for her environmental work, calling this the "greenest track on my album," which adds an eco-conscious layer to the questions about being a plant or animal. This suggests the song is also a gentle push towards a deeper empathy and connection with the natural world.

The song unfolds as a series of curious, almost philosophical questions directed at someone who has seemingly undergone a significant or unusual experience. The lyrics, delivered in a spoken-word style, repeatedly pose the question, "What is it like?" This central query is followed by more specific, evocative, and sometimes surreal inquiries. The narrator asks what it's like to be a myriad of things: an animal, a plant, a star in the sky, or even a tear in someone's eye. This creates a vast canvas of curiosity, touching upon different states of being and existence.

The questioning delves into both the tangible and the abstract. There are questions about physical sensations and transformations, such as what it's like to have wings, to be able to fly, or to be a color in a painting that is still wet. These images are vivid and sensory, inviting the listener to imagine these impossible states. The tone is not demanding but rather one of genuine, almost childlike wonder and a deep desire to understand a perspective entirely different from the narrator's own.

As the song progresses, the questions become more introspective and existential. The narrator asks about the nature of dreams, the experience of being a memory, and the feeling of being a secret that has never been told. This shift moves the focus from external, physical transformations to internal, emotional, and metaphysical ones. The repetition of "Tell me, what is it like?" acts as a constant, gentle pressure, a plea for insight into the unknown. The song doesn't provide any answers; its power lies entirely in the act of questioning. It paints a portrait of a person fascinated by the boundless possibilities of experience, life, and consciousness, reaching out to grasp a piece of understanding from a world of infinite perspectives.

"What Is It Like" was released in 2019 as a track on the album Amadeus by Austrian electronic music producer and DJ, Wolfram Eckert, known professionally as Wolfram. The album was released on the DFA record label in the US and through a collaboration between Public Possession and Live From Earth in Germany. A notable feature of the song is the spoken-word vocal performance by actress and activist Pamela Anderson, who is credited as 'Pam' on the tracklist. Wolfram is known for his collaborations with a diverse range of artists, and his album Amadeus also features appearances by Peaches, Haddaway, and Egyptian Lover. In an interview, Wolfram explained his choice of collaborator, stating he admires Pamela Anderson for her environmental activism, particularly with organizations like PETA. This background provides context for the song's themes of questioning different forms of existence, aligning with a broader sense of empathy for all living things.

The primary literary device in "What Is It Like" is the relentless use of rhetorical and philosophical questions, which function as metaphors for empathy and the desire for expanded consciousness. Each question—"What is it like to be a plant?", "What is it like to be a star in the sky?", "What is it like to be a tear in someone's eye?"—is a symbolic attempt to transcend the self. The 'tear' symbolizes shared sadness and connection, while the 'star' represents distance, brilliance, and a cosmic perspective. The 'plant' is a metaphor for a silent, rooted, and purely organic existence. The song as a whole can be seen as a metaphor for the artistic and philosophical process itself: the act of constantly asking questions without necessarily seeking definitive answers, but rather to broaden one's understanding and perspective.

The emotional atmosphere of "What Is It Like" is one of serene, introspective curiosity. It avoids strong, overt emotions like joy or sadness, instead cultivating a mood of calm wonder and contemplation. This is achieved through the combination of the gentle, atmospheric synthesizer pads, the steady, unhurried tempo, and Pamela Anderson's measured, non-dramatic vocal delivery. The song creates a sense of intellectual and emotional space, inviting the listener into a state of reflection. There is a subtle undercurrent of longing—not for a person, but for knowledge and experience beyond the self. The emotional landscape is not one of conflict or resolution, but of peaceful, open-ended inquiry, making it feel both meditative and thought-provoking.

"What Is It Like" is a track from Wolfram's 2019 album Amadeus. While not a commercial hit in its own right, its significance lies within the context of the album and Wolfram's career as a DJ and producer known for his stylish revival of Italo-disco and Euro-dance. The song gained attention primarily for its unusual collaboration with Pamela Anderson. This pairing of a respected underground electronic producer with a global pop culture icon generated discussion in music journalism and among fans, highlighting Wolfram's penchant for interesting and unexpected guest vocalists. The album Amadeus was released on the influential indie label DFA Records in the U.S., which gave it a degree of credibility and reach within the alternative and electronic music scenes. The song's use of a celebrity in a non-traditional, artistic role contributes to a wider trend of cross-media collaboration and subverting public personas.

The song operates as a piece of free verse set to music, eschewing a traditional rhyme scheme entirely. The structure is built around the repetition of the core phrase "What is it like?" which serves as an anaphora, creating a rhythmic and hypnotic lyrical pulse. The rhythm of the vocal delivery is conversational and prose-like, flowing naturally over the steady, mid-tempo electronic beat. The musical rhythm is simple and consistent, primarily a four-on-the-floor pattern that provides a stable, non-intrusive foundation for the spoken-word narrative. This deliberate simplicity in both lyrical and musical rhythm ensures that the listener's focus remains on the content and imaginative weight of the questions being asked, enhancing the song's meditative and inquisitive atmosphere.

Musically, "What Is It Like" employs a minimalist synth-pop arrangement, characteristic of Wolfram's Nu-Disco and Euro-dance influenced style. The track is built upon a bed of shimmering synthesizers, a steady, simple drum machine beat, and an atmospheric soundscape that feels both retro and futuristic. The most prominent stylistic choice is the use of spoken-word vocals by Pamela Anderson instead of traditional singing. Her delivery is calm, inquisitive, and devoid of overt emotion, which places the full weight of the song on the imaginative power of the lyrics. This creates a hypnotic, almost meditative quality. The production is clean and polished, honoring the spirit of 80s electronic disco without falling into pure pastiche. The juxtaposition of a famous, often-objectified voice with such abstract, philosophical questions is a powerful artistic statement in itself.

Who is the vocalist on Wolfram's song 'What Is It Like'?

The vocalist on 'What Is It Like' is actress and activist Pamela Anderson. She is credited on the album as 'Pam' and delivers the lyrics in a spoken-word style.

What is the meaning behind 'What Is It Like' by Wolfram?

The song is an exploration of empathy and perspective. Through a series of imaginative questions, it encourages the listener to consider what it would be like to exist as other beings or objects, fostering a sense of wonder and connection to the world.

Which album is 'What Is It Like' from?

'What Is It Like' is a track on the album 'Amadeus' by Austrian producer Wolfram, which was released in 2019.

What genre is Wolfram's music?

Wolfram's music is generally categorized as electronic, drawing heavily from Italo-disco, Euro-dance, synth-pop, and Nu-Disco.

Why did Wolfram collaborate with Pamela Anderson on this track?

Wolfram has stated that he admires Pamela Anderson for her environmental activism with organizations like PETA. He referred to 'What Is It Like' as the 'greenest track on my album,' linking the song's themes to a broader empathy for nature.