air
Hair Lyrics


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Welcome sulfur dioxide,
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
Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep

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 sulfur dioxide,
Hello carbon monoxide




The air, the air is everywhere
Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Air" by Hair may seem cryptic at first. However, upon closer scrutiny, it is evident that the song is a protest against environmental pollution that is detrimental to the health of the planet and its inhabitants. The opening lines of the song, "Welcome sulfur dioxide, Hello carbon monoxide," paints a grim picture of the pervasive pollution in the atmosphere. The song urges listeners to "Breathe deep while you sleep" as a reminder that air pollution is an omnipresent danger that should not be ignored. Then, the song mentions alcohol and nicotine, which are harmful substances to human health. However, in the song, they are presented as ways to cope with the harsh reality of pollution. Lastly, the song presents a macabre image of the consequences of environmental destruction, suggesting that destruction will eventually lead to death and decay, "Eating at the stone of my tomb."


It is interesting to note that "Air" is one of the most popular songs from the musical Hair. However, the writers of the song, Gerome Ragni and James Rado, did not necessarily intend for it to be one of the signature songs of the show. The song was initially meant to be just one part of a longer medley titled "Walking in Space." However, the creators of the show, Galt MacDermot, Ragni, and Rado, felt that "Air" stood out and deserved to be a song all its own.


Line by Line Meaning

Welcome sulfur dioxide,
Greetings toxic air pollutant,


Hello carbon monoxide
Salutations poisonous gas that can be fatal to breathe,


The air, the air is everywhere
The oxygen, nitrogen and other gases that make up the atmosphere are all around us,


Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep
Inhale deeply while you slumber, take in as much air as possible while you rest,


Bless you alcohol bloodstream,
Cheers to the flow of alcohol in our veins,


Save me nicotine lungsteen
Rescue me from the addictive nature of nicotine in my lungs,


Incense, incense is in the air
The scent of burning incense fills the atmosphere,


Cataclysmic, cataplasm
A disastrous and violent event that causes widespread damage,


Fall out atomic orgasm
The aftermath of a nuclear explosion,


Vapor and fume at the stone of my tomb
Gases and smoke rising from the place where my body is buried,


Breathe like a solemn perfume
Inhale the smoke with reverence, as if it were an important fragrance,


Eating at the stone of my tomb
The gases are eroding the stone of my grave,


Welcome sulfur dioxide,
Greetings toxic air pollutant,


Hello carbon monoxide
Salutations poisonous gas that can be fatal to breathe,


The air, the air is everywhere
The oxygen, nitrogen and other gases that make up the atmosphere are all around us,


Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep
Inhale deeply while you slumber, take in as much air as possible while you rest,




Contributed by Nora F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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