"Breathe" is a song by Irish rock band U2 and the tenth track on their 2009 album No Line on the Horizon. The lyrics detail an outburst from the song's narrator. The song was developed primarily by guitarist the Edge, with musical influences from Jimmy Page and Jack White. The track was mixed numerous times before the band decided to rewrite it.
The song was initially developed by the Edge, with co-writer and producer Daniel Lanois noting "he had that pretty intact without our involvement."[1] Several of the guitar riffs were influenced by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and Jack White of The White Stripes, who the Edge collaborated with in the 2009 film It Might Get Loud.[2] The band worked on one version of the song with producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois for a long time before the band scrapped and recreated it. Eno had referred to the demo version as one of his favorite U2 songs of all time.[3] After rewriting the song, U2 asked Steve Lillywhite to mix it.[1] Eno estimated that the song was remixed 80 times during the album sessions.[4] Two sets of lyrics were worked on during the song's many various incarnations. The first version was about Nelson Mandela, and the second was "more surreal and personal".[2] The band eventually decided on using the latter for the song.[2]
The song takes place on 16 June, an intentional reference to Bloomsday, the date on which the James Joyce novel Ulysses is set.[2][3] When writing the lyrics, Bono wanted the song to "become more intimate... I want to get away from subject and subject matter into pure exchange. Not even conversation. Often, it's just like grunts or outbursts." He noted that on "Breathe" the listener is "right there in the middle of this outburst."[6] During the No Line on the Horizon sessions, he developed several characters to tell the songs' stories for him.[6] The narrator within "Breathe" is one of the few of these characters who ultimately finds redemption.[2]
"Breathe" received mainly positive reviews from music critics. Brian Eno said that the song was one of the best the band had ever written.[20] Rolling Stone speculated that the closing lyrics reflected Bono's feelings in being a member of U2, calling the track "hard-rock clatter."[21] Allmusic had a favourable impression of the song, stating "U2 strike that unmistakable blend of soaring, widescreen sonics and unflinching openhearted emotion that's been their trademark, turning the intimate into something hauntingly universal."[22] Q said the track's position alongside "White as Snow" and "Cedars of Lebanon" at the end of the album gave No Line on the Horizon "its twist in the tail", describing the song as "all jungle rumble drums and crashing guitars."[23] Entertainment Weekly enjoyed the song, calling it an "instant classic" while describing it as a "stomping, snarling rumination about engaging the world with open arms despite so much external gloom and internal angst."[24] NME labelled the lyrics "twaddle", but called it the band's best song since "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of".[25] Pitchfork had a negative impression of the song, stating that some of the lyrics sound "like a cop-out from a man who spent so much time struggling with salvation."[26]
I don't think this song is about suicide at all. I think it's just about someone with a terminal illness coming to grips with the fact that they are going to die. They don't want other people to see them suffering, but they don't have the will to do themselves in either, hence the promise to simply 'try not to breathe'.
ncc, small correction if I may, Cobain actually did killed himself 2 years after the release of 'Automatic' 10.92.michael did write a song about him; it was on the follow up 'monster' one that's called 'let me in' if I can remember well.and not that it matters so much to relate those 2 events together I beleive but Kurt killed himself on April 5th 94.and adding to that regarding the humanity and beauty that vehiculates rem's music I don't think any song by this band could ever get a reasonably sone person to commit suicide....so anyway this is a beautiful track, the melodies, and the words but as far as the things I've read here they seem pretty restricted in their analysis, just wanting to to see a song being about this r that. what''s the point? to me even if it could be just as plain and simple ( pointless) versions like those are just a lil too litteralmaking straight depictions and simplifying the all thing to some chosen subject couldn't be the best way to look at a piece of 'poetical' lyrics.even more so when it comes to lyrics like those.espacially when you know Stipe usual tricky type of lyrics and used to play with many emotional images through words.it's always easier then it seems, many lines taken apart and isolated from the rest may give this or that hint, but plain deduction to decide this is about suicide instead of trying to get the emotion behind, just a human thought, the desire to leave before the decay. to not make suffer anyne you love. (everybody hurts)to reach for something beyond, and leave all pain and disapointements behind.
about suicide? ok, there are elements of that yes. he's SCREAMING, telling everyone that he's seen something others will not. we're too afraid to look/question. sigh. if he/she chooses to die now, then REMEMBER what you see now in my eyes. i 'know'. btw, if you are considering suicide, please read the lyrics to 'everybody hurts' first, ok? put that damn bottle/gun/knive down now. :)
Breathe - This is the air I breathe by Michael W. Smith is a worship song that has been touching hearts and transforming lives since it was released in 1999. The song has become a classic in the Christian music world and is still being sung in churches all over the world. The simple yet powerful lyrics of the song express a deep hunger for God and a desperate need for His presence in our lives.
Inspiration and Story behind Breathe
The inspiration behind the song Breathe by Michael W. Smith is not very clear. However, it is believed that the song was written during a time when Michael was going through a difficult season in his life. The song was written by Marie Barnett, who is a worship leader at a church in California. Michael W. Smith heard the song and was deeply moved by it. He decided to record it and include it on his album, "Worship" which was released in 2001.
Meaning of the Song
Breathe - This is the air I breathe is a song that speaks about our need for God. It is a cry of the heart for the presence of God in our lives. The song acknowledges that God is the source of our life and that we cannot live without Him. The lyrics of the song express a deep hunger for God and a desire to be close to Him.
One of the most powerful phrases in the song is "Your holy presence living in me". This phrase captures the essence of the song and expresses the longing of our hearts to be filled with the presence of God. The song reminds us that God is not far away from us, but He is always with us. We just need to open our hearts and invite Him in.
Bible References
The lyrics of the song Breathe - This is the air I breathe are deeply rooted in the Bible. The Bible teaches us that God is the source of our life and that we cannot live without Him. In Genesis 2:7, it says, "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." This verse reminds us that it is God who breathed life into us and that we are sustained by His breath.
Another Bible reference that relates to the song is found in Acts 17:28, which says, "For in Him we live and move and have our being." This verse reminds us that God is the source of our existence and that we are completely dependent on Him.
Practical Application
The song Breathe - This is the air I breathe has a powerful message for Christians. It reminds us of our need for God and the importance of His presence in our lives. As Christians, we often get caught up in the busyness of life and forget about our need for God. We need to take time to pause, reflect, and invite God into our lives.
The song also reminds us that God is always with us, even in the midst of our struggles. We just need to open our hearts and allow Him to fill us with His presence. When we do this, we will experience a sense of peace and joy that can only come from God.
In conclusion, the song Breathe - This is the air I breathe is a powerful reminder of our need for God. It is a cry of the heart for His presence in our lives. The song reminds us that God is the source of our life and that we cannot live without Him. As we listen to this song and meditate on its message, may we be reminded of our need for God and may we invite His presence into our lives.
Trying out new thingsLyrics:breathe and take it slowdont need to beat yourself over all of thisbreathe and take it slowmissing u all dayIll take time to myselffuck it drop the topfeel the cold its the winter timec-cant blame ourselves for the things that was said last nighto-o-ooh its okay we are new to this itll take some time to get used to itto-o-ooh its okay we are new to thisitll take some time i just need to fuckingbreathe and take it slowdont need to beat yourself over all of thisbreathe and take it slowmissing u all dayIll take time to myselfi am dying to see u smileI just want to bring u close and make sure youre alrightbecause its you
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