The Air That I Breathe

For other uses, see The Air That I Breathe (disambiguation).

"The Air That I Breathe"
Side A of UK single
Single by the Hollies
from the album Hollies
B-side"No More Riders"
ReleasedJanuary 1974
Recorded15 and 22 November 1973[1]
StudioEMI Studios, London
Genre
Length4:13 (album version) 3:45 (single version)
LabelUK: Polydor
US: Epic
SongwritersAlbert Hammond, Michael Hazlewood
ProducersRon Richards and the Hollies
The Hollies singles chronology
"The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam Mcgee"
(1973) 		"The Air That I Breathe"
(1974) 		"Son of a Rotten Gambler"
(1974)
Alternative release
Side A of US single (Epic)
Side A of US single (Epic)

"The Air That I Breathe" is a song written by the British-Gibraltarian singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and the English songwriter Mike Hazlewood. The ballad[2] was initially recorded by Hammond on his debut album, It Never Rains in Southern California (1972), and then by Phil Everly in 1973.

In early 1974, a version by the Hollies reached number two on the UK singles chart. It was the Hollies' last major hit. The English rock band Radiohead reused the chord progression and melody of "The Air That I Breathe" for their 1992 song "Creep".

Recording

"The Air That I Breathe" was written by the British-Gibraltarian singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and the English singer-songwriter Mike Hazelwood. Hammond recorded the first version for his 1972 album It Never Rains in Southern California. In 1973, the American singer Phil Everly recorded a cover for his album Star Spangled Banner.[3]

The EMI producer Ron Richards heard the Everly brothers version and felt it had the potential to become a hit. He brought it to the English band the Hollies, who recorded a cover in EMI Studios at Abbey Road, London.[3] The Hollies version was engineered by Alan Parsons.[3] The drummer, Bobby Elliott, overdubbed "huge" tom fills processed with plate reverb, which Parsons said "brought the song to life".[3] According to Parsons, the guitarist Eric Clapton said the first note of "The Air That I Breathe" had "more soul" than anything he had ever heard.[3]

Release

In early 1974, the Hollies' version of "The Air That I Breathe" reached number 2 on the UK singles chart. In mid-1974, it reached number 6 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 3 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[4] In Canada, it reached number 5 on the RPM charts. This version featured a string orchestra arrangement, which also featured a horn section. Record World said that "the potent material gets a super interpretation".[5] It was the Hollies' last major hit.[3]

The song was prominently featured in 2024 American psychological horror film Heretic.

"Creep"

The English rock band Radiohead reused the chord progression and melody of "The Air That I Breathe" for their 1992 song "Creep".[6] After Rondor Music, the publisher of "The Air That I Breathe", took legal action, Hammond and Hazlewood received cowriting credits and a percentage of the royalties. Hammond said Radiohead were honest about having reused the composition, and so he and Hazlewood accepted only a small part of the royalties.[7]

Personnel

Credits from Richard Buskin and engineer Alan Parsons.[8]

The Hollies

Additional musicians and production staff

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[25] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[26] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Simply Red version

"The Air That I Breathe"
Single by Simply Red
from the album Blue
Released10 August 1998 (1998-08-10)
Length4:24
LabelEastWest
Songwriters
ProducerAGM
Simply Red singles chronology
"Say You Love Me"
(1998) 		"The Air That I Breathe"
(1998) 		"Ghetto Girl"
(1998)
Music video
"The Air That I Breathe" on YouTube

British soul and pop band Simply Red released a cover of "The Air That I Breathe" on their sixth album, "Blue" (1998).[27] It peaked at number five in Scotland, number six in the UK and number 17 in Austria. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 35. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

Critical reception

Gene Armstrong from Arizona Daily Star declared the Simply Red version as "a sexy version".[28] J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun felt "his Marvin Gaye-like" take on the track "is wonderfully audacious".[29] Larry Flick from Billboard viewed it as "an inspired, groove-laden interpretation", remarking that "Hucknall brings his signature soul to the track, vamping with glee while the band pumps a mild, jeep-styled beat that is hard enough for R&B listeners but soft enough to tickle the fancy of AC and triple-A radio listeners." He added, "Popsters will soon be treated to a bevy of remixes by Sean "Puffy" Combs and Stevie J., which should make top 40 punters quickly sit up and take notice."[30] A reviewer from Daily Record commented, "You'll be looking for a breath of fresh air after hearing Mick Hucknall's middle-of-the-road reworking of this song which was originally a hit for The Hollies. The band desperately need a dose of originality."[31]

Track listings

  • CD single, Europe (1998)
  1. "The Air That I Breathe" – 4:24
  2. "The Air That I Breathe" (Reprise) – 4:35
  3. "So Many People" (Live) – 5:44
  4. "Never Never Love" (Live) – 4:34
  • CD single CD1, UK (1998)
  1. "The Air That I Breathe" – 4:24
  2. "Tu Sei Dentro Di Me (Someday In My Life)" – 4:02
  3. "Lives And Loves" (Live) – 3:32
  • CD single CD2, Europe and UK (1998)
  1. "The Air That I Breathe" (Reprise) – 4:35
  2. "The Air That I Breathe" – 4:24
  3. "Love Has Said Goodbye Again" (Rae & Christian Mix) – 5:14

Charts

Chart (1998) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[32] 17
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[33] 15
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[34] 35
Germany (GfK)[35] 66
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[36] 82
Scotland Singles (OCC)[37] 5
UK Singles (OCC)[38] 6

Year-end charts

Chart (1998) Position
UK Singles (OCC)[39] 142

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[40]
Sales since 2004 		Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States 28 April 1998 Rhythmic contemporary radio EastWest [41]
5 May 1998 Contemporary hit radio [42]
11 May 1998 Adult contemporary radio [43][44]
United Kingdom 10 August 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
 [45]

Belinda Carlisle version

"The Air That I Breathe"
Single by Belinda Carlisle
from the album Once Upon a Time in California
ReleasedJune 6, 2025 (2025-06-06)
GenrePop rock, soft rock
LabelDemon, Edsel
ProducerGabe Lopez
Belinda Carlisle singles chronology
"If U Go"
(2023) 		"The Air That I Breathe"
(2025) 		"Get Together"
(2025)

American singer-songwriter Belinda Carlisle released a cover of "The Air That I Breathe" as a single on 6 June 2025.[46] The song was her first single for her new studio album, Once Upon a Time in California (2025).[47] A music video was filmed to promote the single.[48]

Critical reception

Reviews for Carlisle's cover of the song were generally positive, with Kenyth of Life In Cartoon Motion writing, "The song drifts in on a breeze of soft keys and gentle percussion, anchored by Carlisle’s unmistakable voice, which remains as rich, radiant, and refreshing as ever."[49] and Davearama of Poptastic Confessions! wrote, "Belinda gives a strong vocal perforrnance. It's a pretty faithful cover."[50]

Other cover versions

References

  1. ^ "Session Listing". Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (15 October 1996). "Love American Style: Ballads". Precious and Few – Pop Music in the Early '70s. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 166. ISBN 031214704X.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Buskin, Richard (October 2005). "Classic tracks: the Hollies 'The Air That I Breathe'". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 117.
  5. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 6 April 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  6. ^ Nichols, Natalie (Fall 1993). "Creeping into the Limelight". Fender Frontline. 11. The Phelps Group.
  7. ^ "Lana Del Rey sued by Radiohead for allegedly copying Creep". The Telegraph. 8 January 2018. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  8. ^ "CLASSIC TRACKS: The Hollies 'The Air That I Breathe'". Soundonsound.com. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Forum – 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  10. ^ "The Hollies – The Air That I Breathe" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  11. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 5040a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  12. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 20 July 1974. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  13. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Air That I Breathe". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  14. ^ "flavour of new zealand – search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  15. ^ "SA Charts 1965 – 1989". Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 23/3/1974 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "The Air That I Breathe (song by The Hollies)". MusicVF.com. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  18. ^ Music Week (PDF), 1 July 1989
  19. ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1974". Kent Music Report. 30 December 1974. Retrieved 15 January 2022 – via Imgur.
  20. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly – Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  21. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1974" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  22. ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1972". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  23. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1974/Top 100 Songs of 1974". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  24. ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1974". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  25. ^ "British single certifications – Hollies – The Air That I Breathe". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 July 2025. Select singles in the Formats field. Type The Air That I Breathe Hollies in the "Search:" field.
  26. ^ "American single certifications – The Hollies – The Air That I Breathe". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Blue – Simply Red | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  28. ^ Armstrong, Gene (13 June 1998). "Tracks". p. D. Arizona Daily Star.
  29. ^ Considine, J.D. (12 June 1998). "New On Record". The Baltimore Sun. p. Scene 7. Retrieved 8 January 2023 – via Gainesville Sun.
  30. ^ Flick, Larry (25 April 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 69. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Chart Slot". Daily Record. 21 August 1998.
  32. ^ "Simply Red – The Air That I Breathe" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  33. ^ "Simply Red – The Air That I Breathe" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 29 August 1998. p. 13. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  35. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Simply Red – The Air That I Breathe" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 22/8/1998 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 22/8/1998 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1998 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  40. ^ "British single certifications – Simply Red – The Air That I Breathe". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 November 2025. Select singles in the Formats field. Type The Air That I Breathe Simply Red in the "Search:" field.
  41. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1245. 24 April 1998. p. 94.
  42. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1246. 1 May 1998. p. 49.
  43. ^ "Simply Red: The Air That I Breathe". Radio & Records. No. 1247. 8 May 1998. p. 76. Impacting mainstream AC on May 11.
  44. ^ "Simply Red: The Air That I Breathe". Gavin Report. No. 2205. 8 May 1998. p. 21. Impacting mainstream AC on May 11.
  45. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 8 August 1998. p. 31.
  46. ^ Gotto, Connor (18 June 2025). "Belinda Carlisle covers The Air That I Breathe as lead single from new album". RETROPOP. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  47. ^ Rosen, Craig (5 June 2025). "Iconic '80s Singer's Return With Solo Album After Reunited Band Triumph Has Fans 'So Excited'". Parade. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  48. ^ 26K views · 763 reactions | I'm happy to announce the video for my latest single 'The Air That I Breathe' will premiere on my YouTube channel this Friday, 9am PDT / 12pm EDT / 5pm BST / 6pm. | Belinda Carlisle. Retrieved 30 January 2026 – via www.facebook.com.
  49. ^ Kenyth (10 June 2025). "Music Review: Belinda Carlisle – The Air That I Breathe". Life In Cartoon Motion. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  50. ^ Davearama (16 June 2025). "Poptastic Confessions!: The Air That I Breathe by Belinda Carlisle". Poptastic Confessions!. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  51. ^ Phil Everly – Star Spangled Springer Album Reviews, Songs & More
  52. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Hot Country Songs 1944–2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
  53. ^ "The Mavericks [2003] – The Mavericks | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  54. ^ "SAW X (2023) Official Trailer". YouTube. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  55. ^ Heretic | Official Trailer HD | A24. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024 – via YouTube.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Air_That_I_Breathe