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k.d. lang — The Air That I Breathe
Album: Drag
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2786









Released: 1997
Length: 5:50
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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

Making love with you has left me peaceful, warm and tired
What else could I ask, there's nothing to be desired

Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel, go to sleep

Sometimes β€”
All I need is the air that I breathe and to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe and to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe ...

Making love with you has left me peaceful, warm and tired
What more could I ask, there's nothing to be desired

Sometimes β€”
All I need is the air that I breathe and to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe and to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe ...

Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel, go to sleep

Sleep, silent angel, go to sleep ...
Comments (153)add comment
I've always had a soft spot for the Hollies' version of this song, and k.d. lang nails it. Great version of a beautiful song.

In a completely irrelevant aside, back in the mid 80s I was involved in the Edmonton punk/alternative scene, and k.d. lang once came to a party I was at after one of her shows at the U of A. She was a local gal, after all.
 chinaski wrote:

I saw the Case/Lang/Viers tour in Dallas in 2016.  I certainly knew of k.d.'s voice from the airwaves but to see her perform live and just belt them out like that was amazing. No help required from the audio tech, just k.d.'s voice without electronic helpers blended in and it was like "Wow, just wow!"



My wife and I saw KD Lang live in the early 90's, after the release of "Ingenue." Powerful performance, soaring voice.... the kind of voice that can give you shivers and make the hair stand up on the nape of your neck. Been a fan ever since.

Naive country boy that I was (am?), at the time (~30yrs ago) I was somewhat bemused by a slight majority of the audience being female couples. My wife had to 'splain it to me ...  i.e., the world is a big place with lots of diversity...

Neko Case - my wife and I saw her / her band in the mid-late 2000's. Initially introduced to Neko by ... yep, you guessed it ... RP. Love her solo music + her work with The New Pornographers. If you've never heard her duet "Sing Me to Sleep" with Fran Healy - highly recommended.

I assume "Viers" is Laura Viers. I've never seen her perform, nor have I heard her music, but I'm bound to appreciate it. Like me, she has a degree in geoscience... I'm won over already   
 hansotten wrote:

A beautiful song completely destroyed by this slimy singer 

            Eeeeyew, what a slimy comment. 
upped this to a 10 because i love this remake 
 GingerandMe wrote:

Love k.d. and The Hollies but I really do not like this song. Sorry.


Why be sorry? wouldn't do for us all to like the same things - how boring
and non creative would THAT be?
I could drown in this version, but probably wouldn't get some of your favourite stuff - and that's OK 
Love k.d. and The Hollies but I really do not like this song. Sorry.
Wow. Thanks again RP! 
A favorite version of this song.
Just heard this on RP mellow yesterday
Don't you forget, one of the members of the Hollies was Mr.  Graham Nash, before joining C.S.N.
i love every version of this song. for some reason, it's always gotten to me. this is good, but i prefer the mavericks.

but, she really makes this a lovely lullaby.
The original is good. This is better.
Bumped this to 8 just because i love this song
I saw the Case/Lang/Viers tour in Dallas in 2016.  I certainly knew of k.d.'s voice from the airwaves but to see her perform live and just belt them out like that was amazing. No help required from the audio tech, just k.d.'s voice without electronic helpers blended in and it was like "Wow, just wow!"
50 years ago i heard this .... whata nice song... now i want to breath.
KD can do no wrong
Lame version, but great voice.
That droning intro sounded like it was going to lead into Elephant Stone's "Silent Moment".
Hmmmmm, jury out on this one!!
I often say to my wife that all I need is to share the same air with her.  There's little more comforting than sitting on he back porch reading a book with her in the adjacent chair.

Not quite as, "All I need is the air that I breathe,"  but close.
This. This. This.
So love this song and her version. 
 Queue wrote:

I think I'll enjoy this more if I minimize my browser, so that she's not staring so intensely at me...


:)
ahhh K.D.  just fucking kills me... her voice is so beautiful with every note, breath.  
I grew up listening to the original......and I prefer this gorgeous version in every way!
What a beautiful voice!
"Hain't It Funny?" by Jane Siberry is another cut on this album that is quite interesting, especially if one has never heard it before.
Could be the worst cover of any song I have ever heard . 

I take this back  I had forgotten about Madonna's cover of American Pie.
I know that I heard this song yesterday. Makes me suspicious of RP's claim re plays in last 30 days.
 JasondotG wrote:
Can't believe kd lang totally ripped off Radiohead's Creep with this ...



I love the album name Drag.  Every song on this album relates somehow to smoke. 
A great range of opinions about this cover by k.d. lang.  Just reading the comments is fun.
 hansotten wrote:

A beautiful song completely destroyed by this slimy singer 



I had to go to your profile to see what sort of person leaves a comment like that, you don't seem to like any music at all, which makes me wonder  why you're even on here, and what kind of sad life you must have.
Better than the original for me.
Is anybody else hearing, "All I need is the air that I breathe and Freshpak Rooibos" ?

Not many, but maybe one or two. 
 bigbobbybubba wrote:

KD has an uncanny ability to add sultry to any song and this example is pure magic and what I like to call Midnight Music, perfect for night time drives, windows down, warm breeze with your bestie sitting next to you.



I have a playlist simply called "Night" for just the situation you describe. The songs in my list tend to be smooth yet moody more than sultry, per se. It's a fine line. Love when that happens.
I get the appeal of this, but the original pop version sounds so much more fun and airy. Personally, I prefer that.
KD has an uncanny ability to add sultry to any song and this example is pure magic and what I like to call Midnight Music, perfect for night time drives, windows down, warm breeze with your bestie sitting next to you.
For an interesting take on Ms. Lang's abilities, check out the movie 'Salmonberries'. With Chuck Connors (!?)
c.
Great cover. I sort of think that anyone who doesn't like this song has never been in love.
I'm not always one for covers but KDL can do no wrong. Beautiful ❀️
Sublime.
One of the best voices in the business.
More k.d. lang please
Absolutely beautiful
This entire album is just magic to me.  Each song hypnotic and unique.  
Soulful and pitch perfect. 
A beautiful song completely destroyed by this slimy singer 
This album is fun. "Smokescreen" is a fantastic tune.
Great song performance. 9.
She looks like someone just told her her car was stolen..
She has a great voice. So did Robert Goulet. I don't need to hear either of them sing this song.
Didn't think I could like this song any less than the original.
I think I'll enjoy this more if I minimize my browser, so that she's not staring so intensely at me...
Another example of someone taking a work of art and re-imagining it.  This is just beautiful.   10's across and an 11 from the Russian judge!
 haresfur wrote:
Almost as bad as the original
 
That was a classic, you dont know what you are talking about
 ravnur wrote:
Looks like Data in the Holodeck doing his lounge act
 
But let's see Data hit those notes!  Pure KD.
Almost as bad as the original
Looks like Data in the Holodeck doing his lounge act
EXCELLENT VOICE! ....I also love the way that she sings "Black coffee"!
Her voice in this one gives me chill bumps.
This entire album is great.
Original is godlike, KD did a wonderful tribute to their brilliance, all good here with both!πŸ˜‡
I love the original too.  K.D.'s amazing.  Go Carnadar!
 JasondotG wrote:
Can't believe kd lang totally ripped off Radiohead's Creep with this ...
 
LOL. Right, eh?! Every time I hear "Creep" I hear The Hollies, goes for some of Radiohead's other tracks too. Think they must have listened to some 70's pop in their day. And now I think of it, one of Radiohead's tracks (can't think which at the mo') always gets me thinking Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross". Love these connections, references; it's not a bad thing at all, just means people are listening.
I usually like what kd does, but, honestly, she should have left this one alone. She adds nothing , and takes rather a lot away from the magnificent original. Too bad.
GOT DAMN I wish I could sing like k.d. 

Gorgeous voice, gorgeous arrangement. An example of a cover that's SO much better than the original.
AMAZING -she breath literally new life and light into this.... brilliant
Bump, 8 > 9. Brilliant song, amazing voice.
 dandueck07 wrote:

And I do not usually like to rebut others' comments, 
BUT,
I think this is a great soulful rendition of a song I had once labeled as "bubblegum pop".
Thanks k.d.
 

still yuck!
 rsfc_carp wrote:
I like Lang's work.  But I'd like it more if she'd  just get on with it sometimes and get the song moving.  It doesn't always need to be a contest to see who can  stretch it out the longest..
 
Go check out the Dave Edmunds-produced album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1XtWtzJhZs

edit: oh, and please refer to the album title. It's all about the smoky lounge mood.
 dublanica wrote:
I usually take the approach that if I don't have something nice to say, I keep quiet;
BUT,
the original of this song was bad enough.
This version is worse!
Sorry k.d.
 
And I do not usually like to rebut others' comments, 
BUT,
I think this is a great soulful rendition of a song I had once labeled as "bubblegum pop".
Thanks k.d.
I usually take the approach that if I don't have something nice to say, I keep quiet;
BUT,
the original of this song was bad enough.
This version is worse!
Sorry k.d.
 dwhayslett wrote:
 
Good to know. Thanks. I must have been in the kitchen when it played.
Can't believe kd lang totally ripped off Radiohead's Creep with this ...
 NickDanger wrote:
Please put the Hollies' version in rotation. k.d. lang's cover is good, but let's hear the Hollies, too.  Thanks.
 
It is: https://radioparadise.com/musi...
Please put the Hollies' version in rotation. k.d. lang's cover is good, but let's hear the Hollies, too.  Thanks.
best female voice ever..
Give her a martini and a stogie!!!   
k.d. really nails this one. 

I also love her cover of Jane Siberry's The Valley. 
I like Lang's work.  But I'd like it more if she'd  just get on with it sometimes and get the song moving.  It doesn't always need to be a contest to see who can  stretch it out the longest..
Just a great song
Yikes!  {#Heartkiss}
WOW!!!! Haven't handed out a 10 in probably 4 years
 Stefen wrote:
I like everybody's version of this song.

 
amen {#Yes}
The original was great. Radiohead was great. This is great.
That's nice!  Must add it to my amazon list....
 lily34 wrote:
this is one of my very favorite songs. but i hate this version.

the mavericks' version is far better. as is the original.

 
 thewiseking wrote:
does not hold a candle to the original
 


this one by Albert Hammond? 1972 original
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HglphdXqMg
 fredriley wrote:

Nope, sorry, I never took to them back in the day. To me they were the Bee Gees with lower voices, and cheesier than the Wensleydale Creamery.

 
LOL!  Hilarious!  
does not hold a candle to the original
 
this is one of my very favorite songs. but i hate this version.

the mavericks' version is far better. as is the original.
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ She sings everything to perfection.  Perfect pitch. too bad about the choice of song, but a nice buzzy middle eastern feel.
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦Diana Krall; do not attempt to sing this.  Do not attempt to sing anything, just play ok.?
Great Cover - Makes me want to hear an acoustic version of  "Creep"
I like everybody's version of this song.
Not even k.d. can save this song
this is one of my favorite songs, but i don't care for this version.
Better than the real thing. Her "Hallelujah" might be the most beautiful song I ever heard.
She has a beautiful voice. Saw her in concert. Interesting group of people in the crowd.
 treatment_bound wrote:
Did they airbrush the cigarette out of her hand like they did with Paul Simon?

Old Friends

 
I think the lack of a cigarette is the ironic joke she was making; that album ("Drag") is all covers, most of which are songs about smoking or other addictions.  Apparently, she does not smoke.
This is a really good song and although it is often attributed to The Hollies who had a well-deserved hit, it was actually co-written and recorded in 1972 by Albert Hammond of "It Never Rains In Southern California" fame along with Mike Hazlewood,  

k.d. lang's is one of the better covers. 
great version true about karen carpenter best female voice
At first I thought this was Karen Carpenter, and I was like, WTF? I never heard this! Then it went on and I realized it wasn't.
I like k.d.'s voice a lot, but Karen Carpenter's voice makes me melt.(in a good way)
 Proclivities wrote:

C'mon, Fred; you must have liked The Hollies, or did you lose interest in them after Graham Nash took a powder from the group?

 
Nope, sorry, I never took to them back in the day. To me they were the Bee Gees with lower voices, and cheesier than the Wensleydale Creamery.
I so want to sing along with this. Thanks k.d. and thanks Bill for playing this. Unfortunately, I am in a crowded office and can't belt out this tune like I wish.
 lemmoth wrote:

Love artists who morph in their music discoveries.  Because I often morph in my music discoveries.  That's why I love Bowie and Elvis Costello.  That's why I love RP.
Finding it hard to reconcile your comment with someone who loves RP. 

It's a fair point. I guess what I meant was her sliding of vowels (not necessarily this track) on many songs, drives me bananas.
Diggin the mallets on the drums.  

Not sure about the rest yet.  She's got a great voice, this is a great song, but the combination?

Maybe.
 
an aptly titled collection.   Platitudinous. 2 psd.
love this rendition .... a lesbian dream!
Doesn't come even close to the joy of the original.
Did they airbrush the cigarette out of her hand like they did with Paul Simon?

Old Friends
Much prefer the Hollies. In fact, it might be in my top ten of all time. 
Man, what a voice.
Bill, next time you play this one, follow it with something by Air Supply.

{#Mrgreen}
wow....nice job, kd
 fredriley wrote:
Nope, sorry, not even a class act like kd can make this effort any less cheesier than than the fondly forgotten Hollies original. A real Stinking Bishop of a song.

 
C'mon, Fred; you must have liked The Hollies, or did you lose interest in them after Graham Nash took a powder from the group?
Seriously androgynous.
This is atrocious
it sounds really cool to me, and SO Crispin Glover!
this afternoon's set I've been psd'ing this list of stinkers: Amy Winehouse/Decemberists/Louis Prima  p.u., foul sounding too!
 fredriley wrote:
Nope, sorry, not even a class act like kd can make this effort any less cheesier than than the fondly forgotten Hollies original. A real Stinking Bishop of a song.

 
It was a peculiar album of hers all around.
Great version. Better than the original, which was pretty cheesy. In fact, she's taken a relatively cheesy song and made it classy.

Love it!!! 
 fredriley wrote:
 A real Stinking Bishop of a song.
 
I disagree but that cheese takes some getting used to, too.
 fredriley wrote:
Nope, sorry, not even a class act like kd can make this effort any less cheesier than than the fondly forgotten Hollies original. A real Stinking Bishop of a song.

 
Don't agree - love the Hollies version.  

But given your - er - relationship with Radiohead - you are probably not surprised that they stole (and later paid for) the melody to the bridge to this one.