Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201835 into search. Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. "Top Airplay 100 – Avem un nou No.1 la început de noiembrie!" (in Romanian).
The song is noted as a "return to his roots" in reference to Garrix's regular crossover musical style of pop music to his typical big room house and progressive house. The song has been musically compared to Garrix's previous singles such as "Dragon", "Lions in the Wild" and "Forever", as a "energetic and emotion-filled progressive house track". "High on Life" is one of the two songs announced by Garrix for release since his last single " Ocean" with Khalid, the other being a collaboration with Justin Mylo that would be released in September. It was also released at midnight on the same day. It was premiered at the Tomorrowland 2018 music festival in Belgium as the closing song on 29 July 2018. Garrix's label had announced via Twitter the song would be immediately available for release "the moment (Garrix) plays it at #Tomorrowland" during his headlining closing performance.