The Air that I Breathe
Hammond Albert 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 of Hammond Albert's song 'The Air That I Breathe' have a clear theme of contentment and satisfaction. The opening lines express the idea that if the writer were to make a wish, they would not ask for anything, as they already have everything they need. The following lines emphasise this by listing things the writer doesn't need - cigarettes, sleep, light, sound or food. What the writer has discovered is that making love with the person they love can bring them peace and contentment, which leaves them feeling tired but happy.
The writer reflects on how, after searching for so long, they have finally found what they were looking for and that there is nothing more they could possibly desire. The peace that has come over them has left them feeling weak, unable to resist the urge to sleep. The final lines of the song express the sentiment that what the writer needs in life is simply to breathe the air around them, and to be in love.
Overall, the lyrics encourage the listener to appreciate the simple things in life and to value the love that they have in their life. It emphasises the idea that true contentment cannot be bought, and that the simplest things in life can be the most fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could make a wish I think I'd pass
There is nothing he desires enough to make a wish
Can't think of anything I need
He has everything he needs and nothing more
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
He doesn't need any of these things to be content
Nothing to eat, no books to read
He doesn't need food or reading material to be happy
Making love with you
Intimacy with his partner brings him peace
Has left me peaceful warm and tired
The physical and emotional connection has made him content, relaxed, and a little sleepy
What more could I ask
There is nothing else he could desire
There's nothing left to be desired
He is completely content with what he has
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
The peace he feels is so powerful it actually makes him feel weak
Sleep, silent angel go to sleep
He wants to rest and be at peace
Sometimes all I need
Occasionally he doesn't need much at all
Is the air that I breathe
Breathing in fresh air brings him joy
And to love you
His love for his partner is also enough to bring him contentment
Sometimes all I need
Occasionally he doesn't need much at all
Is the air that I breathe
Breathing in fresh air brings him joy
And to love you
His love for his partner is also enough to bring him contentment
Sometimes all I need
Occasionally he doesn't need much at all
Is the air that I breathe
Breathing in fresh air brings him joy
And to love you
His love for his partner is also enough to bring him contentment
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 and featured 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" (adaptation written by Pertti Reponen) is released by Petri Pettersson.
7) 1976 • Another curiosity, "Comme Si" is a french cover (lyrics adapted by Bernard Droguet) 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.
Some people even suggest the song itself is adapted/inspired from older songs making it appearing in the 1930's in the first place ?!... Who knows...
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. 🤷🏻♂️
gorge washington
its a plagia too lol
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
1999- Necesito Poder Respirar - Jorge González - Mi Destino
2003 - Vuelve - Latin Dreams
2008 - Los Ronaldos - No puedo vivir sin ti
2012- Carla Morrison- Esta soledad
2015 - Mon Lafarte - Tu forma de querer
2016 - Cruel Youth - Mr. Watson
2017 - Get Free - Lana Del Rey....
gorge washington
yep but this guy stole it too lol 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
1999- Necesito Poder Respirar - Jorge González - Mi Destino
2003 - Vuelve - Latin Dreams
2008 - Los Ronaldos - No puedo vivir sin ti
2012- Carla Morrison- Esta soledad
2015 - Mon Lafarte - Tu forma de querer
2016 - Cruel Youth - Mr. Watson
2017 - Get Free - Lana Del Rey....
Sapte frati
Albert, you gave the world the greatest song ever, while The Hollies made it divine. Thank you.
Edward Blake
There's a lot of great versions of this song, unusual for covers. That's a testament to the song and authors. Albert seems to have a clarity the others don't. Just beautiful.
amasulem
He wrote it.
stardust_memories
One of the best songs ever written. Just got done listening to Olivia Newton John's angelic version and had to find Albert doing his own
Paul Efren
Albert wrote the song :)
Edward Blake
Olivia could sing anything. She must have loved this song.
As you say, one of the best.
Oli A. White
Albert Hammond is one of the most talented people we've ever had in music.
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 and featured 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" (adaptation written by Pertti Reponen) is released by Petri Pettersson.
7) 1976 • Another curiosity, "Comme Si" is a french cover (lyrics adapted by Bernard Droguet) 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.
Some people even suggest the song itself is adapted/inspired from older songs making it appearing in the 1930's in the first place ?!... Who knows...
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. 🤷🏻♂️
Jo Rose
Thank you so much for going to the trouble of listing all that. It's really interesting.
Jozsef Gonzalez
Hermosa canción 👍👏👏👏🎼🎶🎸🎤