Songs With Breathing

Ever noticed how many songs feature actual breathing? Not just metaphorically—literally. From seductive sighs to primal gasps, rhythmic huffs to dramatic exhales, some of the most unforgettable tracks in pop, rock, and beyond use breathing as a musical tool. This playlist is your ultimate guide to songs that breathe—sometimes heavily.

Whether it’s Britney Spears panting her way through early 2000s club bangers or Pink Floyd weaving ominous breaths into sprawling prog-rock epics, this curated list is proof that breath isn’t just a sign of life—it’s a secret weapon in music production.

Breathing as Seduction

Pop music has long embraced breathy vocals as a shortcut to sensuality. Britney Spears leads the charge here with “I’m a Slave 4 U” and “Breathe on Me”, where her whispered delivery and audible gasps practically drip with intimacy. PinkPantheress brings a more contemporary twist to the style, layering short, staccato breaths over jungle-inspired beats in “Illegal” and “Stateside”.

Gasping for Air in Rock and Metal

It’s not just pop stars catching their breath—rock and metal artists know the power of a good exhale. AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” growls and breathes between riffs, while Muse’s “Time is Running Out” adds tense inhalations to build anxiety. Fleshgod Apocalypse’s “Kingborn” and Megadeth’s “Duke Nukem” channel heavy breathing into something almost violent, underscoring the intensity of their performances.

Dance Tracks with a Pulse

On the dance floor, breath becomes rhythm. Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It” uses breathy hisses as percussion. Chromeo’s “Fancy Footwork” and Kaiser Chiefs’ “Record Collection” turn exhalations into hooks. Songs like “GODDESS (Sasha Colby)” by the RuPaul’s Drag Race winner showcase how breathing adds drama and camp to high-energy performances.

Breathing as Emotion

Then there’s the emotional edge. Sia’s “Breathe Me” uses slow, shuddering breaths to convey vulnerability. “Breathe on Me” doesn’t just imply intimacy—it inhales it. Even ballads like Barry White’s “Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up” lean into audible breaths to intensify longing and closeness.

Unexpected Breathers

Some tracks might surprise you. “Who Let The Dogs Out” isn’t just a party anthem—it opens with hyperventilating barks. Caroline Shaw’s “Partita for 8 Voices” uses breathing as instrumentation. And “Ding Dong Song” by Günther… well, let’s just say it doesn’t leave much to the imagination.

Why Do Artists Use Heavy Breathing?

Breathing humanizes a track. It adds vulnerability, urgency, or raw sensuality. In some cases, it becomes part of the rhythm. In others, it tells a story without words. For producers and vocalists, it’s a subtle but powerful tool—and once you start listening for it, you’ll hear it everywhere.

Take a Deep Breath: A Playlist That Pants, Gasps, and Sighs Its Way Through Every Genre

This collection spans decades and genres: from Lizzo to Led Zeppelin, from Arcade Fire’s “Reflektor” to alt-J’s “Deadcrush.” You’ll hear breath used in every imaginable way—gasping, panting, sighing, huffing, and whispering.

So plug in your headphones, take a deep breath, and press play. But be warned: once you notice the breathing, you can’t un-hear it.

This site is dedicated to fun playlist themes! Have we missed a song that should be included in this playlist? Comment below to share it!