What is the most BASIC desire of all living things above any other?

Breathing.

To repoduce, animals will go to the extremes to reproduce and pass on their genes, Salmon are a good example when they go back to their spawning ground against bears and time. And the mayfly has just one day to live once it has emerged from the water, what does it do? Reproduce!

Survival and reproduction. Everything every species does revolves around those two things. Even humans

Humans work to get money to eat have shelter and find a mate

Preservation of the species, especially it's own genetic line. Females will sacrifice themselves to preserve their offspring. Male mantids lose their heads over the females, prior to mating. Literally.

To avoid listening to Justin Bieber music if at all possible!