Holding My Breath (feat. Aaron Nathans)

from And​.​.​. by Phil Henry

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about

Phil and Aaron write a song together every year, over email, sending notes and clips back and forth. They will start from some lyrical idea or phrase, and in this case it was the phrase "Holding my breath" saved on Phil's phone. They discovered their mutual apprehension of swimming lessons when they were kids, which became the basis of the first verse. Beyond that, they had earlier decided the tune would not deal directly with
the Covid-19 pandemic, but be rather “epidemic-adjacent." However, songs have a tendency to tell writers where they need to go, and "Holding My Breath" doubled down on the fear of contracting the disease and the hope for the new year.

lyrics

Saturday morning and I'm at the Y
The cold chlorine water is stinging my eyes
The kids keep on splashing and jumping right in
But I don’t know why I gotta learn how to swim
The teacher is telling me to dunk my head down
By three Mississippis I’m afraid I might drown

But I’m holding, holding my breath
’m holding, holding my breath

I slip my mask on outside the Big Y
Hoping that no one will be here tonight
Until you go in you don't know what's in store
Is it epidemic horror, through the automatic door?
I find the bread aisle and start to roll down
I see a brazenly barefaced man and turn back around
Now here comes another and my mouth’s running dry
I pick my speed up and as I rush by

I’m holding, holding my breath
I’m holding, holding my breath

Sit at my window and stare at the grey
Spring fades to winter and night wears to day

Holding my breath, all I do is wait
Inhale and stretch, 4-7-8
I’m out of my depth and half scared to death
I’m praying for change, but I won’t hold my breath

It's New Year's Eve and the kids are asleep
Our world is quiet, the snow piling deep
There'll be no confetti, no parties this time
Still champagne for two, and we'll sing Auld Lang Syne
And maybe I know nothing changes at all
When we hang a new calendar up on the wall
And yet, in the dark, a little hope can be found
And my heart's beating faster as the clock's ticking down

I’m holding, holding my breath
I’m holding, holding my breath

Sit at my window and stare at the grey
Spring fades to winter and night wears to day

credits

from And​.​.​., track released March 17, 2021
Written by Aaron Nathans and Phil Henry

Phil Henry - Guitar, vocals
Aaron Nathans - Vocals
Kim Jennings - Vocals
Brendan Coyle - Drums
Mitch Barron - Fretless bass
Jeff Kimball - Piano, accordion

Recorded by Phil Henry, Brendan Coyle, Mitch Barron, Jeff Kimball, Kim Jennings, and Gregory Hugh Brady
Mixed by Phil Henry
Mastered by Glenn Barratt at Morningstar Studios

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Phil Henry Rutland, Vermont

Singer-songwriter Phil Henry exudes the skill of a craftsman and the authenticity of an artist. “…vivid lyrical imagery that captures the imagination.” (Seven Days, VT)

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