Got It Covered: THE HOLLIES & k.d LANG The Air That I Breathe

Описание: Is there a more beautiful love song from the 1970's than 'The Air That I Breathe'? Possibly, but even so, some 50 years on it stands the test of time - both the 1974 recording by the British super group The Hollies and the simply sublime k.d Lang - both versions making up this post. Songs such as this one were such an integral part of my formative years and among the reason I have connected so emphatically and extensively with pop culture. Composed by Albert Hammond (the mastermind behind so many great songs of that era) and Mike Hazlewood, 'The Air That I Breathe' was first recorded by Hammond on his long player 'It Never Rains in Southern California' the title track affording Albert a huge hit.

The Hollies had been kicking around since the early 60's and had become chart mainstays thanks to hits like 'I Can't Let Go', 'I'm Alive', 'Here I Go Again', 'Just One Look', 'Bus Stop', 'Carrie Anne' and the immortal 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother'. What an incredible discography they had, and 'The Air That I Breathe' issued in early '74 became yet another signature hit and their most successful in nearly 5 years. Reaching the upper echelons of the Top 40 in Britain and Australia (#2), the song managed a #6 peak in America. It is such a thing of beauty this track and still sounds terrific nearly half a century on.

And then there's k.d Lang! Wow, when I read she was releasing 'The Air That I Breathe' for her concept album 'Drag' in 1997, I was so excited, and I was not disappointed. I think her version of the song is one of her very best vocal performances and that is saying something! k.d possesses one of the most powerful and distinctive tones in pop culture, and she brings her own brand of morphed country, blues and jazz into this one incredible swoon fest! There is a recurring motiv through 'Drag' which (sometimes tenuously) refers to smoke or smoking. And being k.d the term 'drag' has other connotations, and I have always loved how she flirts with gender and androgyny through her development as a performer. Clocking in at 6 minutes, in k.d's hands 'The Air That I Breathe' is a luscious and languid love song as well as a meditation.

I do not believe these two recordings are competing with one another, but it is great with nearly a quarter of a century between The Hollies' and k.d Lang's rendition of Albert Hammond/Mike Hazlewood's classic pop composition, that the same song can be still so resonant and so enjoyable.