air
"Hair" Lyrics
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Hello carbon monoxide
The air, the air is everywhere
Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep
Bless you alcohol bloodstream,
Save me nicotine lungsteen
Incense, incense is in the air
Cataclysmic, cataplasm
Fall out atomic orgasm
Vapor and fume at the stone of my tomb
Breathe like a solemn perfume
Eating at the stone of my tomb
Welcome sulphur dioxide,
Hello carbon monoxide
The air, the air is everywhere
Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep
The song "Air" by Hair is a surreal commentary on modern-day pollution and its effects on human health. The lyrics are filled with references to various pollutants and addictive substances, and the chorus encourages listeners to take deep breaths - even while asleep - as a way to cope with the polluted environment. The opening lines of the song, "Welcome sulphur dioxide, Hello carbon monoxide," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, which are full of wordplay and dark humor.
The second verse of the song continues with the theme of addiction, referencing alcohol, nicotine, and incense. The line "Save me nicotine lungsteen" is a play on words, combining the words "lung" and "popsicle" to create a new word that adds to the surreal and dreamlike quality of the song. The third verse takes a darker turn, referencing the cataclysmic consequences of atomic fallout and pollution, but still urging listeners to breathe deeply.
Overall, "Air" is a thought-provoking song that uses clever wordplay and a surreal perspective to shed light on the dangers of pollution and addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome sulphur dioxide,
Greeting to the toxic gas that erupts from volcanoes and burning fossil fuels.
Hello carbon monoxide
Greetings to the deadly gas produced by incomplete burning of fuel in cars and other engines.
The air, the air is everywhere
The air is omnipresent and all around us, even in places we wouldn't expect.
Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep
Take full, deep breaths of air in your sleep, as it is essential for survival.
Bless you alcohol bloodstream,
An ironic blessing to the blood carrying the alcohol that people consume.
Save me nicotine lungsteen
A plea for help to the lungs that bear the brunt of nicotine addiction.
Incense, incense is in the air
Fragrant smoke from incense is a common element of many spiritual and religious rituals.
Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep
Take full, deep breaths of air in your sleep, as it is essential for survival.
Cataclysmic, cataplasm
Destructive forces and medicinal cures are simultaneously present in the world.
Fall out atomic orgasm
The dangerous, intense energy released by nuclear explosions.
Vapor and fume at the stone of my tomb
The gaseous remnants of the body's decomposition wafting over its grave.
Breathe like a solemn perfume
The scent of decay and death has a solemn, powerful presence.
Eating at the stone of my tomb
The natural process of decomposition returning the body to the earth.
Welcome sulphur dioxide,
Greeting to the toxic gas that erupts from volcanoes and burning fossil fuels.
Hello carbon monoxide
Greetings to the deadly gas produced by incomplete burning of fuel in cars and other engines.
The air, the air is everywhere
The air is omnipresent and all around us, even in places we wouldn't expect.
Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep
Take full, deep breaths of air in your sleep, as it is essential for survival.
Contributed by Aria K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@P00katube
Still listening to this song in 2023, especially with the smoke from the wildfires from Canada moving to the Northeastern USA
@fantastic-brainrot
Omg same 😂😂
@mariekatherine5238
I remember singing this as a fourth grader in a school Spring Concert in 1971.
@Joseph-ax999
I love this song!!
@mca1218
Still the best version...de-de-deep!!
@IAmNoeyes
Original cast is best cast.
@tomcedergren2032
If only people had listened and heard
@michaelfranklin4276
Earth day 1970. This version of this song and Donovan's Celia of the Seals are the birth of Green Peace in my memory.
@lizzieball3795
And the founder of Greenpeace says that climate change is a big hoax. He he is on twitter.
@jimrebr
The Air song has been playing in my brain all week, because the brown air from all the Wildfires on the West Coast is so horrible…