Music of the Day, 21 April 2024

what more could i ask?

Lately, it’s felt like a British-music vortex has been trying to pull me in. I occasionally find my way out—as indicated by the recent pattern of MotDs—but not for long. This morning, it pulled me in with the chorus of a song I’ve likely not heard since the 1980s.

True to my word yesterday, after caffeinating myself I took a short walk to check the mail. Our weather the past few days has been unusually spring-y, and the cool breeze was a delight on my skin. That’s all it took for the radio station in my mind to start:

I’d forgotten how languorously and simply “The Air That I Breathe” begins; and hearing it exclusively on the radio didn’t enable me to fully enjoy the supporting orchestra. Listening to it through good earbuds is a revelation.

“The Air That I Breathe” is from the Hollies’ second self-titled album, released in 1974.¹ It’s actually a cover of a song cowritten by Albert Hammond² and Mike Hazlewood; Phil Everly also covered it.

Alan Parsons was the audio engineer for the Hollies’ album, which explains a lot. The sound is crisp and each instrument is clear; the vocal harmonies are understated and luscious; and Tony Hicks’ guitar solos are supported beautifully by the orchestra. Allan Clarke’s occasional vocal ornamentations enchant me and lend some depth to repeated lyrics. I’m not really big on ballads, but this one delivers for me, perhaps due to its pedigree.

As I was a young teen when “The Air That I Breathe” became the Hollies’ last big hit, I didn’t get its meaning even though the lyrics are as clear as possible without getting too explicit. Perhaps part of that is due to my reluctance³ to put so much faith in romantic love, given the role models my family provided for those relationships.

When the chorus started up in my mind this morning, my immediate thought regarding that line revealed my context for “love” these days: to be of service to others, and a source of good vibes, for lack of a better way of putting it. And that brought tears to my eyes, as it feels increasingly difficult to be genuine about my needs and goals in public like this. But I really can’t be any other way … not for long, at least.

1. The first was their third album, now usually referred to as Hollies ‘65

2. It was on his 1972 album It Never Rains in Southern California; I don’t recall hearing any version other than the Hollies’

3. inability?