The Air That I Breathe


"The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by the British-Gibraltarian singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and the English songwriter Mike Hazlewood. It was initially recorded by Hammond on his debut album, It Never Rains in Southern California, 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.''
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.' The Hollies version was engineered by Alan Parsons.' The drummer, Bobby Elliott, overdubbed "huge" tom fills processed with plate reverb, which Parsons said "brought the song to life". 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.

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. 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". It was the Hollies' last major hit.

In popular culture

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". 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.

Personnel

Credits from Richard Buskin and engineer Alan Parsons.
The Hollies

Additional musicians and production staff

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
position
-
UK 60

Simply Red version

British soul and pop band Simply Red released a cover of "The Air That I Breathe" on their sixth album, "Blue". 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". J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun felt "his Marvin Gaye-like" take on the track "is wonderfully audacious". 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." 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."

Track listings

CD single, Europe
  1. "The Air That I Breathe" – 4:24
  2. "The Air That I Breathe" – 4:35
  3. "So Many People" – 5:44
  4. "Never Never Love" – 4:34CD single CD1, UK
  5. "The Air That I Breathe" – 4:24
  6. "Tu Sei Dentro Di Me " – 4:02
  7. "Lives And Loves" – 3:32CD single CD2, Europe and UK
  8. "The Air That I Breathe" – 4:35
  9. "The Air That I Breathe" – 4:24
  10. "Love Has Said Goodbye Again" – 5:14

Belinda Carlisle version

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

Critical reception

Reviews for Carlisle's cover of the song were generally positive, with Kenyth of 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." and Davearama of wrote, "Belinda gives a strong vocal perforrnance. It's a pretty faithful cover."

Other cover versions