Air
Cast of Hair Lyrics
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Hello! carbon monoxide
The air, the air
Is everywhere
Breath deep, while you sleep
Breath deep
Save me, nicotine lung steam
Incense, incense
Is in the air
Breath deep, while you sleep
Breath deep
Cataclysmic ectoplasm
Fallout atomic orgasm
Vapor and fume
At the stone of my tomb
Breathing like a sullen perfume
Eating at the stone of my tomb
Welcome! sulphur dioxide
Hello! carbon monoxide
The air, the air
Is everywhere
Breath deep, while you sleep
Breath deep
Deep, deep, deep, cough cough
The song "Air" by the Cast of Hair is a satirical commentary on the pollution of the environment in the 1960s. The lyrics are a series of greetings to different pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide, which are commonly found in polluted air. The chorus of the song urges the listener to “breath deep,” which can be seen as a sarcastic statement, as the air is filled with harmful substances.
The song also references the consumption of various substances that are harmful to the body, such as alcohol and nicotine. The use of incense is also mentioned, which can be seen as an ironic reference to the idea of using smoke and fragrance to cover up the smell of pollution.
The lyrics take a darker turn towards the end of the song, with references to “cataclysmic ectoplasm” and “fallout atomic orgasm.” These lines can be interpreted as allusions to the threat of nuclear war and the devastation it would wreak on the environment. The repeated line “at the stone of my tomb” adds to this eerie tone and can be seen as a metaphor for the death and destruction that would result from unchecked pollution and nuclear war.
Overall, “Air” can be seen as a warning against the dangers of environmental pollution and the need for individuals to take action to protect the planet for future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome! sulphur dioxide
Greetings! Sulphur Dioxide, a toxic gas, is present in the air we breathe.
Hello! carbon monoxide
Hi there! Carbon monoxide, another dangerous gas, is also present in the air.
The air, the air
The atmosphere that surrounds us, the air we breathe.
Is everywhere
It's all around us, in every place, in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Breath deep, while you sleep
Take a deep inhale and exhale while you are sleeping to get more oxygen into your system.
Breath deep
Take a deep breath to fill your lungs with oxygen and make you feel refreshed.
Bless you, alcohol bloodstream
May the alcohol in your bloodstream not harm you or anyone else.
Save me, nicotine lung steam
Help me, the steam from nicotine that enters the lungs and causes addiction.
Incense, incense
A material that is burned for its pleasant aroma.
Is in the air
It's present in the atmosphere, and can be smelled.
Cataclysmic ectoplasm
A powerful, disastrous, and supernatural entity or substance.
Fallout atomic orgasm
The result of the after-effects of a massive release of atomic energy, almost like an explosion of pleasure.
Vapor and fume
A mist caused by particles suspended in the atmosphere.
At the stone of my tomb
In my resting place or grave.
Breathing like a sullen perfume
Inhaling something with a mournful expression or attitude, in a way that's reminiscent of a strong perfume.
Eating at the stone of my tomb
Slowly eroding or corroding the material of my grave.
Deep, deep, deep, cough cough
An indication of taking a very deep breath followed by a cough, probably due to lung irritation.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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…