Breathe is a song written by Mike Peters and Jules Jones which first appeared as a studio recording on the Breathe album released in October 1994.
Breathe started life as a four track demo based around a loose arrangement of drum machine and keyboard. I heard Jules singing the melody and was immediately hooked. I used my position as leader of the band (!) and ‘nicked’ the song, adding an acoustic guitar riff and harmonica. Having been a collaborator with Eddie MacDonald on many songs during my time with The Alarm, it was good to work in this way. Trading ideas with other people is healthy and although I am now a ‘solo’ artist, I don’t want to isolate myself too much and I hope to collaborate more in the future. The idea of using Breathe as the title track came late into the recording sessions. There were many working titles, but the lines that most expressed the artistic and personal freedom I now feel, seemed to come from the chorus of ‘Breathe – Mike Peters 21st Century Fanzine Issue 2
Some of lyrics are lifted from an unreleased Mike Peters solo song Ride On Angel which was only performed once at Bath Moles Club July 1992
1994 Breathe album recording
Running length 6:11
Written by Mike Peters & Jules Jones
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Guitar
Field Marshall Slug – Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jules Jones Peters – Piano, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Owen Thomas – Drums
Brychan Llŷr – Rhythm Guitar, Mandolin, Backing Vocals
Emyr Penlan –Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
John Williams – Keyboards
Recorded at Sain Studios, Caernarfon, Wales
Produced by Michael Peters
Mixed by Risteard O’Moanaigh and Field Marshall Slug
Engineered by Gethyn Jones
Mastered by Nilesh Patel at The Exchange
Alternative studio recordings
1994 Breathe The Acoustic Sessions
(v) Summer 1994 : Mike Peters – Breathe The Acoustic Session
Running length 5:51
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Classical Nylon Strung Guitar, Harmonica
Liverpool Philharmonic – String Quartet
Produced by Michael Peters
Recorded in Wales Summer 1994
Appears on the album Mike Peters – Breathe The Acoustic Sessions
Album appearances and discography of studio recordings
The following are Worldwide releases except where stated
10th October 1994 : Mike Peters – Breathe
Released on double vinyl album by CRAI records catalogue number CRAI 47LP
Released on CD album by CRAI records catalogue number CRAI 47CD
Original 1994 album recording
(v) 1995 : Mike Peters – Breathe The Acoustic Sessions
Released on CD by the Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C001
Summer 1994 Wales acoustic recording
Lyrics ~ Breathe
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty-four hours
I breathe
Silver rivers reflect the sun
On black highways I will be done
Mile on mile…of empty heat
I will wait for you…
I will not look back
Chasing shadows all night long
Indian nation… a tattooed arm
Manifest destiny drives my car
I will follow you….
I will not look back
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty-four hours
I breathe
The art of bluff has always practised on me
I have been fooled by the rock ‘n roll dream
All I ever wanted… snatched away
By a piece of paper…
I will not look back
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe the air (breathe the air)
I watch the sun (watch the sun)
Rise and fall (rise and fall)
In twenty-four hours
I breathe
I feel your heart beating next to mine
You’re the only thing I ever wanted or desired
If I should falter…or lose my way
Always believe me
I will not look back
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe the air (breathe the air)
I watch the sun (watch the sun)
Rise and fall (rise and fall)
In twenty-four hours
Twenty four hours
I breathe the air (breathe the air)
I watch the sun (watch the sun)
Rise and fall (rise and fall)
In twenty-four hours
I breathe the air (breathe the air)
I watch the sun (watch the sun)
Rise and fall (rise and fall)
In twenty-four hours
I breathe”
Lyrics ~ Breathe The Acoustic Sessions version
Silver rivers reflect the sun
On black highways I will be done
Mile on mile of empty heat
I will follow you
I will not look back
Chasing shadows all night long
Indian nation a tattooed arm
Manifest destiny drives my car
I will follow you
I will not look back
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe
The art of bluff has always practised on me
I have been fooled by the rock ‘n roll dream
All I ever believed snatched away
By a piece of paper
I will not look back
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe
I feel your heart beating next to mine
You’re the only thing I ever wanted or desired
If I should falter or lose my way
Always believe me
I will not look back
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
Twenty four hours
I breathe the air
I watch the sun
Rise and fall
In twenty four hours
I breathe”
(Page updated 18/11/2025)