‘Love Is Like Oxygen’ is a song by the British band Sweet and released in January 1978. It was co-written by the group's guitarist Andy Scott, and Trevor Griffin, a musician who had played with various unsuccessful bands before becoming a roadie and sound engineer. The song was a departure from earlier recordings by Sweet, which were more guitar-driven, and featured high vocal harmonies. The extended album version of the song (6 minutes 57 seconds), which appeared on their album Level Headed, incorporates strings and has some disco elements.
Their first release on the Polydor label after their departure from RCA, it was also their last Top 10 hit, reaching No. 4 in New Zealand; No. 6 in Switzerland; No. 8 in Belgium, Canada, and the United States; No. 9 in the United Kingdom and Australia; and No. 10 in West Germany. Later that year it was honoured with a Song of the Year nomination at the Ivor Novello Awards, although beaten by ‘Baker Street’ by Gerry Rafferty. The song is frequently included on greatest hits compilations, usually in its edited single version.
n 2002, Andy Scott told the Slovakian Box Network: "We had finished with our first record company and had begun on a project for another. At that time the era of the Sex Pistols had started, and how people thought of music reached new dimensions. No one knew what was coming next. We were already a part rock, part metal band. Therefore in the area which was most touched by the changes. That is when I wrote the song 'Love is Like Oxygen,' and then the idea came along to compose it in a style which at that time was totally new, yet one that suited us. I think it worked out well. Of course the people didn't accept it so easily. I consider Level Headed to be a good album, it sold around the world."
One of Sweet's more serene song titles, this was Sweet's last US, UK and German Top 10 hit, as the group left the glam rock scene for the more plush atmosphere of pop-driven music. The 1975 Hall & Oates' song "Grounds for Separation" contains similar lyrics: "But isn't it a bit like oxygen, 'cause too much will make you high, but not enough will make you die."
Labels – Polydor, Capitol
Songwriters – Andy Scott, Trevor Griffin
Producers – Sweet
SONG LYRICS
[Chorus]Love is like oxygen
You get too much, you get too high
Not enough and you're gonna die
Love gets you high
[Chorus]
Love is like oxygen
You get too much, you get too high
Not enough and you're gonna die
Love gets you high
[Verse 1]
Time on my side
I got it all
I heard that pride
Always comes before a fall
There's a rumour goin' 'round the town
That you don't want me around
I can't shake off my city blues
Everywhere I turn, I lose
[Chorus]
Love is like oxygen
You get too much, you get too high
Not enough and you're gonna die
Love gets you high
[Chorus]
Love is like oxygen
You get too much, you get too high
Not enough and you're gonna die
Love gets you high
[Verse 2]
Time is no healer
If you're not there
Lonely fever
Sad words in the air
Some things are better left unsaid
I'm gonna spend my days in bed
I'll walk the streets at night
To be hidden by the city lights, city lights
[Chorus]
Love is like oxygen
You get too much, you get too high
Not enough and you're gonna die
Love gets you high
[Chorus]
Love is like oxygen
You get too much, you get too high
Not enough and you're gonna die
Love gets you high
[Chorus]
Love is like oxygen
You get too much, you get too high
Not enough and you're gonna die
Love gets you high