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 has 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 both 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, who had known each other since primary school. 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. 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, (see also best songs 898 and 264) and Christmas,’ In 2010, The Hollies were inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ The band members inducted were Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks, Eric Haydock, Bobby Elliott, Bernie Calvert, and Terry Sylvester.

The discography of The Hollies includes 21 studio Albums released between 1964-2009, and 94 singles released between 1963-2006, there are also seven extended plays, (EP’s) two tribute covers Albums, and 22 official compilation Albums available. In America they have issued 17 of their studio Albums, often with different titles, and track listings. In the UK The Hollies have had 29 top hit 40 singles, with ‘I’m Alive, in 1965, and the re-issue of ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,’ in 1988, both reaching Number 1. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have had 12 top 40 hits, with ‘Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress,’ charting the highest at Number 2 in 1972, while ‘The Air That I Breathe’ made Number 6.

‘The Air That I Breathe’ was the second of five singles released from The Hollies 14th studio Album called ‘Hollies,’ from March 1974, the Album has the same title as the band’s third studio Album from 1965. ‘The Air That I Breathe’ was co-written by Albert Hammond, and Mike Hazelwood, (1941-2001) with the production being by Ron Richards, (1929-2009) who was the long term producer of The Hollies, and The Hollies themselves. It was Albert Hammond who first recorded ‘The Air That I Breathe,’ for his 1972 studio Album ‘It Never Rains In Southern California.’ In 1973 Phil Everly (1939-2014) (see also best songs 799) did a cover version on his studio Album ‘Star Spangled Banner.’ The Hollies had always been big fans of the Everly Brothers, and when Phil Everly sent them a copy of his Album they decided to cover ‘The Air That I Breathe’ themselves.

Albert Hammond, and Mike Hazelwood, 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 Louis Hammond was born on May 18th, 1944, in London, England, he is the father of Albert Hammond Jr. (see also best songs 450.) In 2000, he received the ‘Order of the British Empire,’ (OBE) and in 2008, he was inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame.’ Albert 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.) Albert Hammond has released 19 studio Albums between 1972-2016, and 56 singles between 1963-2019, there are also eight official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. He has had one solo hit single in the UK, in 1973, with the Number 19 hit ‘The Free Electric Band,’ while in America he has had two top 40 hits on Billboard, with ‘It Never Rains in Southern California peaking the highest at Number 5 in 1972.

The 1992 song ‘Creep’ by the English Rock band 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.’