This song is best remembered as having been a major hit for The Hollies in early 1974, reaching No. two in the U.K. - this band's last hit single, besides a rerelease of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" in 1988. In the summer of 1974, this song reached No. six in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. three on the Adult Contemporary chart.[2] In Canada, this song peaked at No. five on the RPM Magazine charts. The audio engineering for "The Air That I Breathe" was done by Alan Parsons.
Alfalfa sings this to Darla in The Little Rascals (1994).
The song is played in the 1999 film, The Virgin Suicides.
The Hollies' version of the song appears in the May 2003 series finale of teen drama Dawson's Creek, the second season episode "Donut Run" of Veronica Mars, the 2007 film I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James, and the 2012 film Seeking A Friend for the End of the World. It also appears in the Fringe episode "Fracture."
The Air That I Breathe
The Hollies 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
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
All I need is the air that
I breathe
The Hollies' song "The Air That I Breathe" is a love song that expresses the singer's deep contentment and satisfaction with the relationship he is in. 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 he wants in the world, and nothing else could make him happier. The verse goes on to list a number of things he doesn't need - cigarettes, sleep, light, sound, food, books to read - and the implication is that they all pale in comparison to his relationship with his partner.
The bridge, with the lines "Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak, so sleep, silent angel go to sleep," suggests that the deep contentment the singer feels is almost overwhelming, and that he feels completely at peace with everything around him. This peace leaves him feeling "weak," perhaps suggesting that his passion and desire have been replaced by a sense of calm and contentment.
The chorus is the real heart of the song, with its repeated refrain "sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe, and to love you." Here, the singer suggests that his love for his partner is so complete and all-encompassing that it becomes the very essence of his being, the thing that he needs to keep him alive. The song ends with a repeated chorus, underscoring the idea that the singer's love is the driving force behind his happiness and contentment.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could make a wish I think I'd pass
I can't think of anything I need, so I wouldn't even bother making a wish.
Can't think of anything I need
I have everything I could possibly want, and there's nothing left that I desire.
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound
I don't even need basic necessities like cigarettes or sleep or external stimuli like light or sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read
Even the things that would be nice to have, like food or books, aren't necessary for my contentment.
Making love with you
The only thing that truly brings me peace and happiness is being intimate with you.
Has left me peaceful, warm and tired
Being with you fills me with a sense of calm and warmth, but it also exhausts and weakens me.
What more could I ask?
I already have everything I could want or need, so what else could I possibly ask for?
There's nothing left to be desired
I am completely fulfilled and satisfied, and there's nothing else I could want.
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
The peaceful feeling that comes with being with you also drains me and leaves me feeling weak.
So sleep, silent angel go to sleep
I feel like an exhausted angel who needs to rest and recharge.
Sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe
At the end of the day, all I truly need is to be alive and breathing, and the love that we share.
And to love you
My love for you is an essential part of my existence and brings meaning to my life.
Yes to love you
I fully embrace and cherish my love for you, and it is a central aspect of my well-being.
And to love you
Above all, my love for you sustains me and brings me true happiness and fulfillment.
All I need is the air that I breathe
Beyond any material possessions or external factors, it is my love for you and the simple pleasure of being alive that bring me contentment.
Yes to love you
My love for you is an unequivocal truth that underlies everything I do and feel.
All I need is the air that I breathe
In the end, it is the simplest and most fundamental aspects of life that truly matter to me.
And to love you
And the love that I have for you is the most essential element of my being.
Yes to love you
My love for you is unwavering and constitutes a central part of who I am.
All I need is the air that I breathe
In summary, all I need to be content in life is to love you and to have the basic necessities like air, food, and shelter.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Albert Hammond, Mike Hazlewood
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iiTsEspresso
This is not retribution. It’s a re-awakening.
@YoureWatchingMyWorld
Oh fuck you with the SAW reference😆
@johnrains2339
Please do not hesitate
@CatsRuleMeow123
@@johnrains2339place a big enough piece of your cerebral tissue into the glass enzyme tank, this will save your life.
@megohuntz
Live or die, the choice is yours.
@CatsRuleMeow123
@@megohuntz (suspenseful music plays)
@LaLa-qp2co
My husband (then boyfriend in our teens) put this on a mix tape for me back in 1986. He is currently dying in hospice as I write this. I will love him always.
@cindysutton2545
whywould. anyone do this and not man up no i won't dcdcdc
@jimsween2074
🤗❤️
@gandhitheholeresizer8329
@@cindysutton2545 what the fuck are you talking about? Are you saying that this person’s husband didn’t “man up” and that’s why they’re dying in hospice?