Breath of Life

September 4, 2020

Breath of Life arrives like a sunrise over an open road — a song about living in the moment and never taking life for granted, about the gift tucked inside every single second we are given.

I remember having to go back to the studio to recut the vocal because I wasn't happy with my first effort. A song isn't truly finished until there's nothing left to give to it, until it just feels right in your heart of hearts. It's a feeling, not a formula — and when it lands, you know.

When we were shaping the sound, I kept coming back to The 1975 for their flavour and colour. As I put it at the time: “They've got a really cool sound that I really, really like. That's where we headed in the direction of the production.”

Greg Fitzgerald is an exceptional lyric writer and a producer with a vivid, colourful sensibility. His contributions shaped this song from the ground up — lyric and sound developed together, each informing the other.

One early morning in January 2020, I was staying at the ranch in Death Valley 🏜️ and seen a beautiful colour pallet in the sky - I snapped the photo and this eventually became the official artwork.

On the chart, “Breath of Life” debuted at #50 on Billboard Christian Airplay in the week of February 27, 2021, and peaked at #45 in the week of March 20, 2021. It was my sixth Billboard hit song.

Breath of Life — lyrics

I hear your voice whispering
Sunlight falls on my eyes
Feel the grace of your melody
Freedom cries so lovingly
So live your life
And live your pain (your pain)
Don't ever waste a breath of life
Don't ever let things keep you down
Don't ever waste the love of people
Don't ever waste a breath
Don't ever waste a breath of life...

I'm calling on my memories
They give hope when I'm lost at sea
Facing fears hope I'll never know
Into darkness... letting go
Live your life
And live your pain (your pain)
Don't ever waste a breath of life
Don't ever let things keep you down
Don't ever waste the love of people
Don't ever waste a breath
Don't ever waste a breath of life...

Freedom....breath in and out
I said freedom...breath in and out
Loving.... breath in and out
I said freedom...breath in and out

Mastered by Stuart Hawkes (Amy Winehouse, Ed Sheeran).

— Franklin

behind the music · franklin mckay