Breathing is essential for life. For most of us, it’s a habit taken for granted. Breathing activities such as meditation aren’t emphasized much in western society.
Breathing connects the mind and body and brings balance to the two. Breath-based meditation creates a calming effect on the mind and body. It also reduces blood pressure and heart rate.
Slow and steady breathing might help you calm down when you’re feeling stressed. Breathing speeds are also an indicator of your emotional state. Are you ecstatic, awestruck, or exhilarated?
The relevance of this has been noticed by songwriters, nevertheless. There is a slew of songs about it, as you’ll see.
So, here are some of the best songs about breathing!
Contents
- 1. Breathe – Blu Cantrell & Sean Paul
- 2. Every Breath You Take – The Police
- 3. Breathless – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
- 4. You Take My Breath Away – Queen
- 5. Breathe – The Prodigy
- 6. Breathin’ – Ariana Grande
- 7. Breath – Taylor Swift
- 8. Breathe on Me – Britney Spears
- 9. Burning Just Breathe – Pearl Jam
- 10. Breathing – Jason Derulo
- 11. Breathing – Kate Bush
- 12. Lose My Breath – Destiny’s Child
- 13. Breathe Deeper – Tame Impala
- 14. Last Breath – Plain White T’s
- 15. Breathe – Faith Hill
- 16. American Oxygen – Rhianna
- 17. Take My Breath Away – Berlin
- 18. Breathe – Pink Floyd
- 19. Breathin’ – Ariana Grande
- 20. Breathe – Michelle Branch
- 21. Breathe – Jax Jones
- 22. Harder To Breathe – Maroon 5
- 23. Breathless – The Corrs
- Now take a deep breath!
1. Breathe – Blu Cantrell & Sean Paul
Blue Cantrell and Sean Paul sing this groovy song about breathing. It’s actually a reworking of a Dr. Dre song.
It was initially recorded without Sean Paul for Blu’s ‘Bittersweet’ album. But the Jamaican dancehall reggae artist Sean Paul added his vocals for the single.
After a painful breakup, Blu Cantrell was feeling down and out. This song serves as a time capsule of sorts for a broken relationship. You and your partner may need to take a step back from each other from time to time.
Breathing space is always helpful and lets you reflect. You can see from Blu’s fascinating uprising how her experiences influenced this song.
2. Every Breath You Take – The Police
The lyrical content of this well-known song about breathing is often misinterpreted. In reality, it’s a song about a creepy stalker.
British band The Police’s Sting is ticking down the seconds in this anthem. The song “Every Breath You Take” was a big commercial hit in 1983. It spent eight weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and won the Grammy for Song of the Year in 83.
It’s known as one of Sting and The Police’s greatest songs. It is often heard in films and television series set in the 1980s.
During a Rick Beato interview, Sting referred to the song’s bridge as “one of the best bridges ever written”. Beato also provided a full breakdown of the song.
3. Breathless – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Nick Cave isn’t usually associated with upbeat love songs, so this may surprise you a bit. In spite of the apparent skepticism, we’ll go with the flow here.
There must be a pleasant love song for you if you’re looking for some Nick Cave. This song is about the breathless feeling you get from being in love, which takes your breath away.
4. You Take My Breath Away – Queen
Slow and melodic, this is one of the band’s better efforts. Somber as it may seem, these lyrics have a lot to say. The words are so personal and intimate that they seem like a beautifully written love letter.
A song about a long-lost love by Freddy Mercury is among the greatest love ballads ever written. This 1976 rock tune will ring true if you’ve ever met someone who took your breath away.
For six years, Freddie Mercury lived with Mary Austin, who he sang about in the song. Until his death in 1991, they remained close friends for the rest of their lives.
5. Breathe – The Prodigy
Listeners are encouraged to “breathe (in) the pressure” in this song. The Prodigy may be encouraging the listener to develop an addiction to their kind of music. “Firestarter”, on the same album encourages everyone to let their inhibitions go. It’s time to unleash your wild side.
While “Breathe” may not explicitly refer to drug abuse, the lyrics can be seen as the band advising the listener to avoid consuming illegal substances.
6. Breathin’ – Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande’s “Breathin” is the perfect tune to listen to when it’s raining indoors.
It’s easy to get lost in the darkness with all the obstacles that life throws at us. “Just keep breathing,” no matter how gloomy things appear.
Although Ariana Grande is a Grammy-winning music artist, she suffers from anxiety. When she has an anxiety attack, she can’t even get out of bed. Particularly after the attack at her concert. The mantra of breathing can help you get through stressful times.
7. Breath – Taylor Swift
An ode to the end of a romance and a fond farewell.
This song accepts the fact that it’s over but is still upset. The lyrics, “I can’t breathe without you, yet I have to,” acknowledge that no one is to blame. It’s a mature approach to a breakup, the style of which isn’t common in pop songs.
8. Breathe on Me – Britney Spears
This song about breathing describes the situation where you feel connected to someone. You don’t even have to be romantic with them, just the intensity and the tension of not saying anything is enough. It’s talking about how feeling each other’s breath can be a revealing experience.
“Breathe on me!” If that’s not going to get you in the mood, I don’t know what is. This song shows how certain tunes can carry you through experiences. Whether it’s a specific level of stress or a certain kind of atmosphere. Thankfully Britney Spears was released from a 13-year conservatorship.
9. Burning Just Breathe – Pearl Jam
“As near to a love song as we’ve ever gone,” frontman Eddie Vedder says about this track. This song about breathing expresses how it’s important to take time to breathe. Appreciate each other when you are busy and don’t take people for granted.
‘Just stop, and be together. ‘Now that the kids are in bed, let’s simply breathe and be present with one another.'”
Take time to breathe with your loved ones.
10. Breathing – Jason Derulo
Breathing is about the death of Derulo’s cousin and a former romantic experience. Despite being about a couple of traumatic experiences, Breathing is still an upbeat song with a euphoric feel to it.
It has a tinge of the good and the bad. You don’t have to linger on what you’re going through if you don’t want to. Derulo describes how he was overcome with emotion when writing and recording the song.
11. Breathing – Kate Bush
This Kate Bush song is a must-have for any collection of songs about breathing. Sung from the perspective of an unborn child, it’s a really unsettling track.
To make matters worse, in the song’s version of events, a nuclear war has erupted, and the infant is now forced to inhale radioactive air. Essentially, the song is a meditation on human nature’s proclivity towards annihilation. So, take a deep breath and try to relax.
12. Lose My Breath – Destiny’s Child
Is this the first time you’ve had to take a breath? You certainly will if you try to keep up with the dance moves in this song!
To start with, the song has a fast marching band rhythm and the military chant “hit me!” This is a feminist anthem that empowers women. It’s the perfect tune to burst out into a memorable dancing routine too.
It’s terrific exercise music, but it’s also a great pick-me-up song. Characterized by an energetic, hip-hop, and pop-oriented pace.
13. Breathe Deeper – Tame Impala
This song has a cult following, which is understandable given how catchy it is. The music video is also pretty cool and was inspired by Parker’s trip to the mall while high (never a good idea). The song is about staying calm when experiencing stressful situations.
Tame Impala is a musical treasure and has an instantly recognizable unique sound. Electronic funk with hints of soft rock and even pop pervade the majority of Kevin Parker’s compositions.
This song about breathing has an enthusiastic pace that’s guaranteed to move your feet. You just can’t help but bounce your head to the infectious rhythms. Soothe yourself with deep breathing following this track!
14. Last Breath – Plain White T’s
The narrator of this song is ready to call for help, in this 2010 rock song about taking your last breath.
With his last breath, the narrator wishes he could give up. He will succumb to the emotional torment his partner is inflicting on him. Despite the fact that he’s excellent to her and nice to her, she’s always smothering him. It’s killing him.
The joyful melody of ‘Last Breath’ contrasts sharply with the song’s contradictory lyrics. The lyrics lament the unrequited love of the title.
15. Breathe – Faith Hill
This 1999 Grammy Award-winning love ballad has a lady embracing her boyfriend. Entranced by his breathing, in the aftermath of their physical union.
They merge into a single entity as the magic envelops them. Words are no longer necessary. Dominating the country charts, the song also made it to the mainstream pop charts.
In the history of country music, Faith Hill is one of the most recognizable names. While her career was at its peak, “Breathe” became one of her most popular songs.
16. American Oxygen – Rhianna
As an immigrant, Rihanna explains how hard Americans fight to meet their aspirations. It’s a classic 2015 hip-hop song about breathing.
The desire to succeed and to leave our mark on the world is as ingrained in the American psyche as the air itself. People will stop at nothing to achieve their ambitions.
It’s no secret that Barbados is where Rihanna’s roots lie, yet she found herself drawn to America, like so many others. This song is about breathing the American air and dreaming of better times.
17. Take My Breath Away – Berlin
Let’s go back to the 1980s with a great love song featured in Tom Cruise’s Top Gun.
New wave band Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” is an anthem from the 1980s that perfectly encapsulates the decade’s popular music. Originally composed for the film Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise in 1986, the song went on to get widespread exposure.
This song soundtracked a sensual moment in the movie. As a result of its success, it was awarded the 1986 Oscar for Best Original Song.
18. Breathe – Pink Floyd
Dark Side of the Moon is a famous Pink Floyd album. Just like this song, the album’s cover was one of the most recognizable in music history, and it had a slew of other gems.
It tells the story of an elderly guy teaching a little youngster. “Breathe in the air,” he says, saying, “Be yourself – everyone else is taken.” He compels the youngster.
If it weren’t for Pink Floyd, this song wouldn’t be a Pink Floyd song at all. Somber and trippy instrumentals provide listeners with a pleasant experience… Until approximately halfway through this song where it takes a darker turn.
Before “self-help gurus” were popular, this song was about how to live the life of your dreams.
19. Breathin’ – Ariana Grande
In the United States, one in five people suffer from anxiety disorders. This includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, or social anxiety. Anxiety sufferers will appreciate Ariana Grande’s reference to their plight in her 2018 worldwide smash hit.
The song’s narrator points out that when everything seems to be spinning out of control, you can only do one thing: keep breathing.
20. Breathe – Michelle Branch
The lady in this 2003 pop song has just spent the past hour driving around after a fight with her boyfriend. Holding her breath and counting to 10 helps her relax. You should try this method too if you feel stressed.
In this way, she finds peace and comfort in the knowledge that her relationship with her lover is on solid ground. Whatever works, hey?
21. Breathe – Jax Jones
Ina Wroldsen and Jax Jones team up for a heart-pounding house tune. This song features the Norwegian artist as the lead vocalist singing about the power of breath.
She’s one of the greatest and most successful composers in the industry today, not to mention an outstanding singer. She has a powerful voice that is perfect for expressing the emotions of this song.
22. Harder To Breathe – Maroon 5
Adam Levine, Maroon 5’s main vocalist, is having trouble keeping his breath while singing this rock song. Stress can take your breath away, so control your breathing to get it back.
“Harder to Breathe” showcases Maroon 5 at its grungiest. Maroon 5’s current level of popularity is mostly due to this song’s success in the pop charts throughout the world.
23. Breathless – The Corrs
When The Corrs, an Irish pop band, released this song it was a huge hit. The tune still has a special place in our hearts.
Despite lacking commercial success in the U.S., “Breathless” received a Grammy nomination in 2001. The tune was so big at the time, that “Breathless” even appeared in a memorable scene from The Sopranos.
Now take a deep breath!
You’ve reached the end of the list for the best songs about breathing. You should enjoy listening to these songs as much as I enjoyed putting this list together! Remember to focus on your breathing every now and then to balance your mind and body. Controlling your breath is key to controlling your emotions!
