Writing sessions for My Own Prison would see Vocalist Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti have complete creative control over the lyrics and musical compositions.

[1] Inspired by the suicides of their friends, the lyrics, written by Tremonti and Stapp, deal with the difficulties in finding happiness and meaning in the world.

[3][4] Like most of the tracks on the album it borrows heavily from the Seattle grunge scene as well elements of a more mainstream hard rock and arena metal sound.

[5] The official version of the video was filmed in southern Los Angeles near Joshua Tree National Park.

"[5] The video features the band performing the song in the desert plains along with scenes of various disaffected people trying to escape their lives.

When the second chorus kicks in a sudden wind storm hits causing the desert sands to fly all around the band and the spectators.

At this point the various people from each scene also begin to join the band in the desert where they all exult under a rain shower and falling snow.

"[8][9] Released on June 9, 1998, as the third single from My Own Prison, "What's This Life For" would peak at number one on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for six consecutive weeks from September 19, 1998, to October 24.

[10] It was the band first number one song on the chart, and was eventually knocked off the top spot by "Psycho Circus" by Kiss on October 31.