THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

369-The Hollies-The Air That I Breathe.

1974-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.01. Eric Clapton said that the first note of ‘The Air That I Breathe’ had more soul than anything he’d ever heard.

The Hollies certainly have longevity, with Tony Hicks, and Bobby Elliott who joined in 1963, still part of the current active band. The Hollies were formed in 1962 in Salford, England, as a ‘Merseybeat’ group by Allan Clarke, and Graham Nash. Clarke who sings lead vocals on this track was a member between 1962-1971, briefly leaving to pursue a solo career, before returning in 1973 until departing in 2000. Due to musical differences Nash left in 1968 to form the ‘Supergroup’ Crosby, Stills & Nash (see also best songs 417.) In total there have been 19 different members of The Hollies since their formation. They have released 23 studio Albums in the UK between 1964-2009, while in America there have been 17 releases, often with different titles, and track listings. They have achieved 29 top 40 singles in the UK, including two Number 1 songs, and 22 on Billboard, where ‘Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress’ is their highest charting, reaching Number 2 in 1972. The band was named by the bassist Eric Haydock (1943-2019) who was a member between 1962-1966, in relation to a Christmas holly garland. In a 2009 interview Graham Nash said,’ We called ourselves The Hollies, after Buddy, and Christmas,”

The Air That I Breathe’ was co-written by Albert Hammond, and Mike Hazelwood, (1941-2001) and first recorded by Hammond for his 1972 Album ‘It Never Rains in Southern California.’ The pair had both previously been members of the English Rock band ‘The Family Dogg’ who had a UK Number 6 hit with ‘A Way of Life’ in 1969. Albert Hammond was born on May 18th, 1944, in London, England, he is the father of Albert Hammond Jr. (see also best songs 450.) Hammond is a prolific songwriter, he has co-written four UK Number 1 singles, ‘When I Need You’ with Carole Bayer Sager, (1977 Number 1 for Leo Sayer) ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now’ with Diane Warren, (1987 Number 1 for Starship) ‘One Moment in Time’ with John Bettis, (1988 Number 1 for Whitney Houston) and ‘Don’t Turn Around’ (1988 Number 1 for Aswad.) He also had a solo hit single in the UK in 1973 with the Number 19 hit ‘The Free Electric Band,’ while in America ‘It Never Rains in Southern California reached Number 5 in 1972.

The 1992 song ‘Creep’ by Radiohead (see also best songs 33) borrows very heavily from ‘The Air That I Breathe,’ using a similar chord progression, and sharing some melodic content. This songs publishers sued Radiohead for copyright infringement, and a settlement was reached where Hammond, and Hazelwood were given co-writing credits, as well as a portion of the songs royalties.

‘If I could make a wish I think I’d pass, can’t think of anything I need. No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound, nothing to eat, no books to read.’