[2] In musicologist Thomas MacFarlane's description, the lyrics "explore how we are fundamentally isolated from the world around us", yet "even though the singer admits he is detached and alone, he acknowledges the sense of connection achieved through relationship with a loved one.
[2][nb 1] Harrison musical biographer Simon Leng views the song as a "balmy ballad" with a "self-contained main melodic couplet [that] is one of his most effective".
[3]Harrison taped the basic track for "I Live for You" at Abbey Road Studios in London[9] during the first batch of sessions for All Things Must Pass, between late May and the second week of June 1970.
[11] Harrison flew Drake over to London,[12] where he contributed pedal steel guitar to country-style tracks such as "I Live for You", "Behind That Locked Door" and "All Things Must Pass".
[27] Retaining only his lead vocal and Drake's pedal steel, he recorded new acoustic rhythm guitar parts and bass, while his son, Dhani Harrison, added Fender Rhodes electric piano.
[31] In an interview for Billboard magazine in December 2000, Harrison discussed the song's inclusion on the reissue: "[The] main thing about it for me is the Pete Drake solo on pedal steel guitar.
[34] In the same publication's tribute book to Harrison, following his death from cancer in November 2001, Greg Kot praised "I Live for You" and the other "especially worthy bonus tracks" and highlighted Drake's "fine pedal-steel solo".
[1] He considers that it would have made a worthy track on a full, country-themed side two of the original triple LP, beside "Behind That Locked Door" and Harrison's cover of Dylan's "If Not for You".
[36] Simon Leng describes "I Live for You" as an "unreleased gem" that merited inclusion on the original All Things Must Pass more so than "I Dig Love" and the "sedate" second version of "Isn't It a Pity".