‘The Air That I Breathe’ is a ballad written by the British-Gibraltarian singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and the English songwriter Mike Hazlewood. It was initially recorded by Hammond on his debut album, It Never Rains in Southern California (1972). It was a major hit for the Hollies in early 1974, peaking at number two in the UK Singles Chart, it reached number six in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number three on the Adult Contemporary chart. In Canada, the song reached number five on the RPM magazine charts. It was the Hollies' last major hit. The English rock band Radiohead reused the chord progression and melody of ‘The Air That I Breathe’ for their 1992 song "Creep".
This was written by the songwriting team of Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood shortly after they moved to Los Angeles. Before Hazlewood's death in 2001, they wrote songs for many artists, including Johnny Cash and Olivia Newton-John. The song is about a guy whose every desire is fulfilled by the woman he loves. His list of things he can live without as long as he has her love: cigarettes, sleep, light, sound, food, and books.
In the book Behind The Hits, Albert Hammond explained the inspiration for the song: "I just fell in love with a girl," he said. "We had some kind of short affair. I just fell in love so bad, I guess I needed to be with my family. I was so lonely in Los Angeles." So he moved to LA for a girl, but the song isn't really about her - it's more inspired by the loneliness he felt living there and his longing to be back with loved ones in a familiar place - he learned that in Los Angeles, everyone has a car and there's no mingling in the streets like there is in New York.
The audio engineering for ‘The Air That I Breathe’ was done by Alan Parsons. In an interview, Parsons mentioned that Eric Clapton said the first note of ‘The Air That I Breathe’ had more soul than anything he had ever heard.
Labels – UK: Polydor, US: Epic
Songwriters – Albert Hammond, Michael Hazlewood
Producers – Ron Richards and the Hollies
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]If I could make a wish
I think I'd pass
Can't think of anythin' I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
Nothing to eat, no books to read
[Verse 2]
Making love with you
Has left me peaceful, warm, and tired
What more could I ask
There's nothing left to be desired
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel
Go to sleep
[Chorus]
Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe
And to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
Yes, to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Verse 3]
Peace came upon me
And it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel
Go to sleep
[Chorus]
Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe
And to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
Yes, to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
[Outro]
Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe
And to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
Yes, to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
And to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
Yes, to love you