In 1960, he started in music with Gibraltarian band 'The Diamond Boys', which had no real commercial success, but played a part in Spain's introduction to popular music.In 1966 Hammond co-founded the British vocal group The Family Dogg, scoring a UK Top 10 hit with "A Way of Life" in 1969. He is probably best known for his early 70s hits "It Never Rains In Southern California" and 'Free Electric Band' - but he went on to write countless hits for other artists such as Madonna and Leo Sayer. In 1987, Hammond's composition with Diane Warren "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (recorded by Jefferson Starship) was nominated for an Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy. In 1988, Hammond won an Emmy Award for the song "One Moment in Time", a song he wrote along with John Bettis. In 2008, Hammond was inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is immortalised in song by Half Man Half Biscuit in their 1986 track "Albert Hammond Bootleg".
His son, Albert Hammond, Jr., is a guitarist in The Strokes.
More info: www.alberthammond.net
The Air that I Breathe
Albert Hammond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
Nothing to eat, no books to read
Making love with you
Has left me peaceful warm and tired
What more could I ask
There's nothing left to be desired
Sleep, silent angel go to sleep
Sometimes all I need
Is the air that I breathe
And to love you
Sometimes all I need
Is the air that I breathe
And to love you
Sometimes all I need
Is the air that I breathe
And to love you
The lyrics to Albert Hammond’s song, The Air That I Breathe, may seem enigmatic at first, but they actually depict a state of contentment that transcends material possessions. The opening lines, “If I could make a wish I think I’d pass, Can’t think of anything I need,” suggest that the singer has everything they could possibly want or desire. They list off several things they are perfectly content living without, including cigarettes, sleep, light, sound, and even food and books. This detachment from materialism frees the singer to focus on what truly matters in life, and that is the love they share with their significant other.
The chorus, “Sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe and to love you,” reinforces the idea that love is the ultimate source of fulfillment, and that it can be found in the simplest pleasures of life. The allusion to the air that one breathes symbolizes the essential nature of both love and oxygen. Without either, one cannot truly live or thrive. The singer’s love for their partner is so profound that it fills them with peace, warmth, and gratitude. The closing lines, “Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak, Sleep, silent angel go to sleep,” suggest that the singer has surrendered to a state of tranquil bliss, and that they are ready to rest in their lover’s arms.
Overall, the lyrics to The Air That I Breathe celebrate the transformative power of love, and remind listeners that we don’t need material possessions or grand gestures to be happy. Sometimes all it takes is a deep connection with someone we care about, and the small joys of life like the air we breathe.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could make a wish I think I'd pass
I don't need anything else in life, even if I were to make a wish.
Can't think of anything I need
I am content with my life as it is, without any material possessions.
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
I don't need any of the usual comforts in life such as cigarettes, sleep, light, or sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read
I don't need any entertainment or sustenance to be happy.
Making love with you
Being intimate with my partner makes me happy.
Has left me peaceful warm and tired
Being intimate with my partner leaves me feeling peaceful, warm, and relaxed.
What more could I ask
I don't need anything else to be happy.
There's nothing left to be desired
I am completely content with my life and have no unfulfilled desires.
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
Feeling peaceful and content sometimes leaves me feeling weak or vulnerable.
Sleep, silent angel go to sleep
I am so content with my life that even the thought of sleeping feels unnecessary.
Sometimes all I need
Sometimes I am happy with just a few particular things.
Is the air that I breathe
The simplest and most basic things, like just breathing, can bring me a lot of happiness.
And to love you
Above all, being in love with my partner is the most important thing in my life.
Sometimes all I need
Even when I don't need anything at all, these simple things are enough.
Is the air that I breathe
Breathing is enough to make me feel content and happy.
And to love you
Having the love of my partner is what truly brings me happiness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Albert Hammond, Mike Hazlewood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
zaytoun1er
"The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by Albert Hammond & Mike Hazlewood in 1972.
1) 1972 • It is initially recorded by Albert Hammond on his album "It Never Rains In Southern California", released on 1972-08-16.
2) 1973 • Philip Everly (from Everly Brothers) sings it on his album "Star Spangled Springer", released on 1973-01-31.
3) 1974 • The Hollies cover, recorded after hearing Phil Everly's version, appears on their 14th UK studio album "Hollies" released in 1974.
4) 1974 • The same year, James Last records an instrumental/orchestral version on his 1974 album "Violins In Love".
5) 1975 • Olivia Newton-John performs it on her 1975 album "Have You Never Been Mellow".
6) 1975 • A finnish version "Tahdo en kuin hengittää vain" written by Pertti Reponen, is released by Petri Pettersson.
7) 1976 • Another curiosity, "Comme Si" is a french cover, with lyrics adapted by Bernard Droguet and sung by duo Shuky & Aviva.
8) 1992 • The 1992 Radiohead song "Creep" uses a similar chord progression and shares some melodic content with the 1972 version of "The Air That I Breathe". Hammond & Hazlewood are given co-writing credits as well as a portion of the royalties.
9) 2017 • "Get Free" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey from her 5th studio album, Lust for Life (2017).
Nothing is clear concerning a link with 1992 "Creep" and/or 1972 "The Air That I Breathe"... 🤔
Numerous others artists have covered this song through years.
All videos are on YouTube but I can't put the links here. 🤬 I had to remove them all... Otherwise my comment is deleted immediately. 🤷🏻♂️
Fernando
If I could make a wish
I think I'd pass
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
Nothing to eat, no books to read
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
Sleep, silent angel go to sleep
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
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
Sleep, silent angel go to sleep
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
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
Channel Settings.
LYRICS:
If I could make a wish
I think I'd pass
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
Nothing to eat, no books to read
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
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
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel go to sleep
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
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
Sparer OdinOg
Lyrics
If I could make a wish I think I'd pass
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
Nothing to eat, no books to read
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
Sleep, silent angel go to sleep
Sometimes all I need
Is the air that I breathe
And to love you
Sometimes all I need
Is the air that I breathe
And to love you
Sometimes all I need
Is the air that I breathe
And to love you
Estrella Sandoval
1957 - Elvis Presley - That's When Your Heartaches Begin.
1965 - Aline - Christophe
1969 - Carry the Weight - the beattles
1972 - Albert Hammond - The Air That I Breathe
1974 - The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe
1992 - Radiohead - Creep
2003 - Vuelve - Latin Dreams
2008 - Los Ronaldos - No puedo vivir sin ti
2015 - Mon Lafarte - Tu falta de querer
2016 - Cruel Youth - Mr. Watson
2017 - Get Free - Lana Del Rey
Grail Archie
Ink Spots* – That's When Your Heartaches Begin / What Good Would It Do?
1941 The Ink Spots - That's When Your Heartaches Begin
1957 - Elvis Presley - That's When Your Heartaches Begin.
1965 - Aline - Christophe
1969 - Carry the Weight - the Beatles
1972 - Albert Hammond - The Air That I Breathe
1974 - The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe
1992 - Radiohead - Creep
2003 - Vuelve - Latin Dreams
2008 - Los Ronaldos - No puedo vivir sin ti
2015 - Mon Lafarte - Tu falta de querer
2016 - Cruel Youth - Mr. Watson
2017 - Get Free - Lana Del Rey
Grail Archie
1941 - Ink Spots – That's When Your Heartaches Begin
1957 - Elvis Presley - That's When Your Heartaches Begin.
1965 - Aline - Christophe
1969 - Carry the Weight - the Beatles
1972 - Albert Hammond - The Air That I Breathe
1974 - The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe
1992 - Radiohead - Creep
2003 - Vuelve - Latin Dreams
2008 - Los Ronaldos - No puedo vivir sin ti
2015 - Mon Lafarte - Tu falta de querer
2016 - Cruel Youth - Mr. Watson
2017 - Get Free - Lana Del Rey
zaytoun1er
"The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by Albert Hammond & Mike Hazlewood in 1972.
1) 1972 • It is initially recorded by Albert Hammond on his album "It Never Rains In Southern California", released on 1972-08-16.
2) 1973 • Philip Everly (from Everly Brothers) sings it on his album "Star Spangled Springer", released on 1973-01-31.
3) 1974 • The Hollies cover, recorded after hearing Phil Everly's version, appears on their 14th UK studio album "Hollies" released in 1974.
4) 1974 • The same year, James Last records an instrumental/orchestral version on his 1974 album "Violins In Love".
5) 1975 • Olivia Newton-John performs it on her 1975 album "Have You Never Been Mellow".
6) 1975 • A finnish version "Tahdo en kuin hengittää vain" written by Pertti Reponen, is released by Petri Pettersson.
7) 1976 • Another curiosity, "Comme Si" is a french cover, with lyrics adapted by Bernard Droguet and sung by duo Shuky & Aviva.
8) 1992 • The 1992 Radiohead song "Creep" uses a similar chord progression and shares some melodic content with the 1972 version of "The Air That I Breathe". Hammond & Hazlewood are given co-writing credits as well as a portion of the royalties.
9) 2017 • "Get Free" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey from her 5th studio album, Lust for Life (2017).
Nothing is clear concerning a link with 1992 "Creep" and/or 1972 "The Air That I Breathe"... 🤔
Numerous others artists have covered this song through years.
All videos are on YouTube but I can't put the links here. 🤬 I had to remove them all... Otherwise my comment is deleted immediately. 🤷🏻♂️
Celosemnexo
"Creep" is more similar to the Hollies' version of "The air that I breathe".
baronvg
Lol I saw this same comment on the Hollies video 👏
zaytoun1er
The Albert Hammond's explanation here : "Albert Hammond – The Air That I Breathe | Het verhaal achter het nummer" https://youtu.be/siN8f-JF8Gw
Robert Solheim
I love The Hollies version, but this is GREAT! I need this album!!
BigBaza82
I like the Radiohead version better!!!
Shelly Archibald
I like the Phil Everly version very calming
William Donnelly
Albert wrote it. It belongs to him, really! 😉 ♥️🎼👌
RiC David
Wow, as a big fan of Radiohead, a huge fan of their song Creep, and a lover of this sort of pure warm vocal led 60s/early 70s music (Don McLean, Roy Orbison...might be screwing up some decades there), this is an amazing find - those haunting chords of the "Sheee's running out the doo-ooo-ooor" ending part of Creep actually came from a song with even more haunting vocals, despite them originally being steeped in love rather than despair.
To me, Radiohead clearly did more than enough to make Creep their own song and not just a lazy reworking of a prior hit - this just leaves me with two beloved classics.
Don Lee
Although the chord pattern is the same (albeit a different key), you can’t claim the copyright to a simple common chord pattern. But in the case with “Creep”, Radiohead actually uses the verse melody of “The Air That I Breathe” after the 2nd chorus - of which they can be sued for copyright infringement. Of course, at the time, I thought they were doing it as a tribute and assumed they’d included the writers along with themselves (as the rest of the song uses different melodies). I only found out about the lawsuit years later. But anyway, sometimes (pun intended) people will support “their band” and think they can do no wrong. But credit needs to be given where credit is due.