Solid Air

John Martyn

You've been taking your time
And you've been living on solid air
You've been walking the line
And you've been living on solid air
Don't know what's going 'round inside
And I can tell you that it's hard to hide
When you're living on solid air

And you've been painting the blues
And you've been looking through solid air
You've been seeing it through
And you've been looking through solid air
Don't know what's going 'round in your mind
And I can tell you don't like what you find
When you're moving through solid air, solid air

I know you, I love you
And I can be your friend
I can follow you anywhere
Even through solid air

You've been stoning it cold
You've been living on solid air
You've been finding it cold
You've been living on solid air
I don't know what's going on inside
I can tell you that it's hard to hide
When you're living on solid air, solid air

You've been getting too deep
You've been living on solid air
You've been missing your sleep
you've been moving through solid air
I don't know what's going on in your mind
But I know you don't like what you find
When you're moving through solid air, solid air

I know you, I love you
I will be your friend
I will follow you anywhere
Even through solid air

You've been walking your line
You've been walking on solid air
You've been taking your time
'Cause you've been walking on solid air
Don't know what's going on inside
But I can tell you that it's hard to hide
When you're living on solid air, solid air

You've been painting the blues
You've been living on solid air
And you've been seeing it through
And you've been looking through solid air
I don't know what's going in your mind
But I can tell you don't like what you find
When you're living through solid air, solid air

I know you, I love you
And I can be your friend
I can follow you anywhere
Even through solid air

Icy blue solid air
Blue solid air


Lyrics submitted by hang on to a dream

Solid Air Lyrics as written by John Martyn

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Solid Air song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    I love this completely. As far as I'm aware, Martyn wrote this for his label-mate and friend Nick Drake, who was suffering from severe depression at the time. A very touching song
    hang on to a dreamon May 24, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I know this song is generally considered to be by and for Nick Drake but l think it is also about the experience of smoking a lot of hash. That is what the solid air bit refers to- if you smoke a lot you get very sensitive to a lot of things including the pressure of air on your body. And it also makes you very introspective- in Nick Drake's case with very tragic consequences. This song with its feel of decadent melancholy sums up a period of my life completely. Interesting that John Martyn also self destructed, given the perspective of the song above ('follow you anywhere')
    jon1017485on October 20, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I agree, beautiful song. I have just discovered Nick Drake, and this song is so beutiful, a fitting tribute to a fantastic folk singer.
    peanutjamon June 04, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Superb vocals from the now one-legged alcoholic. A touching tribute to his label-mate Nick Drake. Solid Air is one of the best album's I own. Check it out.
    rubyoverdiamondson May 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Such powerful imagery..
    different_13on August 01, 2007   Link

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