air
Harvey Fierstein 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 Harvey Fierstein is a satirical take on the harmful effects of air pollution. The opening lines of the song show an almost sarcastic welcome to two of the most harmful gases present in the atmosphere, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. The repetition of the line "the air is everywhere" emphasizes the all-pervasive nature of pollution and the fact that we can't escape it.
The chorus of "Breath deep, while you sleep" is a somewhat ironic piece of advice as air pollution can cause respiratory problems, which can be aggravated by breathing deeply. The next two lines "Bless you, alcohol bloodstream, Save me, nicotine lung steam" suggest that drinking and smoking are equally harmful to health, and the only way to cope with the polluted environment is by taking solace in addictions.
The final stanza talks about the long-lasting effects of air pollution. The use of words like "ectoplasm," "fallout," and "atomic orgasm" creates an eerie atmosphere, and the lines "at the stone of my tomb, Breathing like a sullen perfume, Eating at the stone of my tomb" further emphasize the way pollution destroys everything in its path, even after death. The song ends on a note of coughing, suggesting how polluted air can cause respiratory problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome! sulphur dioxide
Greeting to the poisonous gas commonly found in industrial activities and automobiles
Hello! carbon monoxide
Another toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels
The air, the air
The substance we breathe in to sustain life
Is everywhere
Present in every corner of the world
Breath deep, while you sleep
Inhale the air deeply while you rest
Breath deep
Take a deep breath
Bless you, alcohol bloodstream
An ironic wish for well-being to someone whose blood is contaminated with alcohol
Save me, nicotine lung steam
A cry for help from the artist who is addicted to smoking and its toxic substances
Incense, incense
Fragrant smoke created by burning certain substances for religious or aesthetic purposes
Is in the air
Particles of the substance are suspended in the atmosphere
Cataclysmic ectoplasm
A reference to a supernatural or paranormal occurrence that causes great destruction
Fallout atomic orgasm
A metaphorical description of the explosion and radioactive contamination caused by atomic bombs
Vapor and fume
Gases released by burning substances or chemical reactions
At the stone of my tomb
The singer's final resting place
Breathing like a sullen perfume
An oxymoronic expression of how the gases released from the singer's body combine to form a melancholic fragrance
Eating at the stone of my tomb
The deterioration of the artist's remains by the corrosive effects of these gases
Deep, deep, deep, cough cough
The effect of inhaling polluted air which causes respiratory problems leading to coughing fits
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