Nicolas Godin studied architecture at the École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Versailles, and Jean-Benoît Dunckel studied mathematics, before forming a band in 1995. Before founding Air (erroneously considered as an acronym of Amour, Imagination, Rêve, which translates to Love, Imagination, Dream), Dunckel and Godin played together in the band Orange with others such as Alex Gopher, Xavier Jamaux and Jean de Reydellet. The former two subsequently contributed to remixes of tracks recorded by Air.
Initially Godin worked alone, recording a demo with members of Funkadelic as his backing band before releasing his first entirely solo effort, "Modular Mix", which featured production by Étienne de Crécy.
Career
After making several remixes for other acts in the first half of the 1990s, Air recorded its first EP, Premiers Symptômes, in 1995. The band released its first album, Moon Safari, in 1998. Its first single, "Sexy Boy", was heavily played on alternative radio stations. The album received universal acclaim and became an international success. In 1999, Air composed the score The Virgin Suicides to Sofia Coppola's debut film of the same name; in 2012, Air wrote its second score to Georges Méliès' Le voyage dans la lune.
Other works
Air has often collaborated with Coppola. Air drummer and former Redd Kross member Brian Reitzell put together the soundtrack to 2003's Lost in Translation, including one original contribution by Air titled "Alone in Kyoto". The soundtrack for Coppola's October 2006 film Marie Antoinette featured a track by Air ("Il Secondo Giorno"). Air wrote and played the music of the album 5:55 by Anglo-French actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg, which was released in August 2006. Air has recorded a DJ mix album, Late Night Tales: Air, for Azuli Records' Late Night Tales series. The release was initially scheduled for October 2005, but was delayed several times. It finally was released, complete with a new sleeve design, in September 2006. Darkel, a solo album by Dunckel, was released that same year.
City Reading (Tre Storie Western) (2003) started as an idea for a collaboration with contemporary Italian writer Alessandro Baricco, known for his unusual characterizations and lyrical, poetic style. Baricco contacted Air in summer 2002 with the idea to marry narration of texts from his book City with live original musical accompaniment. The performance premiered live in November 2002 at Rome's Teatro Valle and was deemed such a success that both parties resolved to make a full studio recording.
Influences and musical style
Air is associated with a variety of musical styles: electronica, space pop, dream pop, progressive rock, downtempo, chillout, trip hop, ambient, electronic pop and space rock. Dunckel grew up listening to both classical and electronic music, especially Kraftwerk. He later took an interest in what he called the "English dark rock" of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Joy Division, while being a fan of David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed. Brian Eno and Cluster were two of the electronic acts who inspired him the most. He cites among his favorite artists: Maurice Ravel for classical music, François de Roubaix for music soundtracks and Siouxsie and the Banshees for pop music. Dunckel shared with Godin a special liking for the music of Michel Legrand, Philip Glass and Grace Jones. During his childhood, Godin was fascinated by the Beatles before later discovering the soul of Sly and the Family Stone. The duo were influenced by progressive rock pioneers Pink Floyd.
Air uses many of its studio instruments (like Moog synthesizers, the Korg MS-20, Wurlitzer and Vocoder) on stage, where their ability to improvise is more clearly highlighted. The band performs the well-known tracks from the albums live as extended or altered versions. Air often collaborates (both in the studio and live) with artists like Beth Hirsch (Moon Safari), Françoise Hardy ("Jeanne"), Jean-Jacques Perrey ("Cosmic Bird"), Gordon Tracks ("Playground Love" and "Easy Going Woman" – Gordon Tracks is a pseudonym of the French singer Thomas Mars from Phoenix), Beck (10 000 Hz Legend) and Jean-Michel Jarre ("Close Your Eyes" from Jarre's Electronica 1: The Time Machine). They also invited Dave Palmer on their 2004 tour and drummer Earl Harvin, Vincent Taurelle and Steve Jones on their 2007 tour.
Studio albums
Moon Safari (1998)
10 000 Hz Legend (2001)
Talkie Walkie (2004)
Pocket Symphony (2007)
Love 2 (2009)
Le voyage dans la lune (2012)
Soundtrack albums
The Virgin Suicides (2000)
Music for Museum (2014)
Extended plays
Premiers Symptômes (1997)
Collaborative albums
City Reading (Tre Storie Western) (2003)
Mix and remix albums
Everybody Hertz (2002)
Late Night Tales (2006)
Compilation albums
Twentyears (2016)
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Air is one of the many aliases of Pete Namlook. He has been releasing ambient music under this name since the release of an eponymous album in 1993.
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Japanese noise rock, Air is an alias of Koji Kurumatani first released album Wear Off in 1996.
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Air is a late 90s Indonesian Pop band that became popular with their "Bintang" song.
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Air was a jazz trio with its roots steeped in Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), and was formed originally in 1971. The jazz trio Air formed from within the Muhal Richard Abrams Sextet, which was active on the Chicago scene contemporaneously with the birth and growth of the AACM and groups such as the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Henry Threadgill on reeds, hubcaphone, and percussion; Fred Hopkins on bass, and Steve McCall on drums formed the trio when Threadgill was commissioned by Columbia College to score and adapt Scott Joplin's work for a performance honoring Joplin's centenary (Joplin's birth has been established now as sometime in 1868) and a rebirth of interest in the noted ragtime composer. All three men were Air signs in the zodiac, and so adopted the name.
They performed first around Chicago, while maintaining residency with Muhal Abrams group, which also featured Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre and Wallace McMillan, both reed players. The Air "brand" remained a side project until all three reunited in New York in 1975, and began recording under that name for India Navigation, Nessa, Black Saint, and Novus. The trio broke up when Steve McCall left in the early 1980s, and when Pheroan Aklaff joined in 1982, they recorded as New Air, and recorded several albums under that name, including Air Show No. 1 in 1986, which featured Cassandra Wilson on vocals. Andrew Cyrille ultimately replaced akLaff before the band eventually was superceded by the burgeoning careers of its members: Threadgill with his groups Sextett and Very Very Circus, and Hopkins as the go-to bassist for Threadgill, David Murray, and Hamiet Bluiett. McCall's health forced his retirement from touring around 1980, and the dynamic drummer and effusive and gracious man who was a cofounder of the AACM with Muhal Abrams and Fred Anderson, died of a stroke in 1989.
This Air is listed as Air (4) on Discogs and is also been identified on last.fm as Air (Fred Hopkins, Steve McCall, Henry Threadgill) and Air with Fred Hopkins, Steve Mccall, Henry Threadgill (sic: McCall's name misspelt), and possibly also other alternative spellings of the group's name exist.
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Air was a psychedelic folk rock band featuring Googie and Tom Coppola, John Siegler and Mark Rosengarden. They released their first self titled album in 1971.
Funky Good Time
Air Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
THE BEST IS SLOW
IN ORDER TO DANCE.
SO I MAKE A DEF SONG.
NOW I CHILL REAL
I WILL WHEN I START TOT CHILL.
FOR REAL, NOT PHONEY.
IN ORDER TO DANCE.
SO I MAKE A DEF SONG.
NOW I CHILL REAL
I WILL WHEN I START TOT CHILL.
FOR REAL, NOT PHONEY.
THE BEST IS SLOW
IN ORDER TO DANCE.
SO I MAKE A DEF SONG.
NOW I CHILL REAL
I WILL WHEN I START TOT CHILL.
FOR REAL, NOT PHONEY.
THE BEST IS SLOW
IN ORDER TO DANCE.
SO I MAKE A DEF SONG.
NOW I CHILL REAL
I WILL WHEN I START TOT CHILL.
FOR REAL, NOT PHONEY.
The lyrics of Air's song "Funky Good Time" can be interpreted as an exploration of the concept of patience and intentionality in the process of creating music and enjoying life. The repetition of the phrase "The best is slow in order to dance" suggests that taking things slowly and deliberately is essential for truly embracing and appreciating the rhythm and flow of life. The idea that one must make a "def song" - slang for creating a great piece of music - by chilling out and being genuine in their approach further reinforces this message.
The lyrics also emphasize the importance of authenticity and sincerity in one's actions. By stating "Now I chill real, I will when I start to chill, for real, not phoney," the artist appears to be rejecting artificiality and superficiality. This could be a reflection on the music industry or society at large, where there may be pressure to conform or project a certain image that is not true to oneself. The insistence on being real and true to oneself underscores the value of staying grounded and authentic in a world that often prizes pretense.
The repetition of the same verses throughout the song could serve as a reminder or mantra to listeners about the significance of taking things slow, creating with intention, and staying true to oneself. The steady rhythm and hypnotic quality of the music may also support this message of patience and mindfulness. The lyrics seem to encourage a mindset of being present in the moment, fully immersing oneself in the process of creation or simply enjoying the experience of dancing and moving to the music.
Overall, "Funky Good Time" by Air appears to be a contemplative and introspective piece that invites listeners to slow down, appreciate the beauty of simplicity, and connect with their authentic selves. The song's message of embracing a genuine and deliberate approach to life and creativity resonates with themes of mindfulness, self-awareness, and staying true to one's values and identity in a fast-paced and often superficial world.
Line by Line Meaning
THE BEST IS SLOW
The most enjoyable experiences often come from taking things slowly and savoring each moment.
IN ORDER TO DANCE.
To truly be able to let loose and dance freely, it is necessary to embrace a slower pace and rhythm.
SO I MAKE A DEF SONG.
This is why I create music that has a laid-back, cool vibe to it.
NOW I CHILL REAL
I am now able to relax and be myself in a genuine way.
I WILL WHEN I START TOT CHILL.
I find that I can fully enjoy the moment when I allow myself to relax and unwind.
FOR REAL, NOT PHONEY.
It's important for me to be authentic and real in everything that I do, rather than putting on a fake persona.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: AIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leahb1813
This girl can dance! She’s amazing in heels too!
@ace2saucyA1Mafia
Ok Becky bring that Nigga out of u make the brothers proud
@gojackets4894
Miranda is just poetry and perfection in motion.
@Taylor-xj1xf
Exactly right 💯.
@cherylmcmillan7761
Smooth, so smooth!!! J.B. was no joke. Even people today recognize his funk!!!! The best!!! 👍🏽
@jusbeautiful1032
You both have such chemistry. I love watching you!!! Excellent rhythm!!
@deloress7618
Shore gettin' down!!! Again.love it.❤️💋
@annetteparker9989
Mirinda is a very Talented Dancer. She is So Special, and always presents the Best Kind of Movements in each Dance She does, Thanks
@hidejahzaimah
watched this 5 times already
@joycefrye5930
Love this couple! Bdash is having a blast with his fabulous wife.