The song had been recorded previously by Albert Hammond (1972) and Phil Everly (1973), but The Hollies ’ version became the definitive hit. The Air That I Breathe (The Hollies) 1974 - Facebook
Hammond’s inspiration was more personal; he wrote it for a woman who gave him shelter and kindness when he was broke, lonely, and without a work permit in Los Angeles. The Hollies' Definitive Version The Air That I Breath - The Hollies
Hazlewood’s contribution to the lyrics—including the title line—was inspired by the dense LA smog . He described looking at the Hollywood Hills and seeing a "yellow monster" of pollution, which led him to the idea of clean air being a basic necessity. The song had been recorded previously by Albert
Released in 1974, by The Hollies remains one of the most celebrated soft rock ballads of the decade. While widely known for its lush orchestration and soaring vocal harmonies, the song carries a surprising history involving environmental concerns, legendary musicians, and a major 1990s copyright settlement. Origin and Surprising Inspiration He described looking at the Hollywood Hills and
The song was written by the British-Gibraltarian duo and Mike Hazlewood shortly after they moved to Los Angeles.