"Love Is Like Oxygen" is a song by English glam rock band Sweet that was released in January 1978. It was co-written by the group's guitarist Andy Scott, and Trevor Griffin, a musician who had played with various unsuccessful bands before becoming a roadie and sound engineer. The song was a departure from earlier recordings by Sweet, which were more guitar-driven, and featured high vocal harmonies. The extended album version of the song (6 minutes 57 seconds), which appeared on their album Level Headed, incorporates strings and has some disco elements.
Their first release on the Polydor label after their departure from RCA, it was also their last Top 10 hit, reaching No. 4 in New Zealand; No. 6 in Switzerland; No. 8 in Belgium, Canada, and the United States; No. 9 in the United Kingdom and Australia; and No. 10 in West Germany.
Later that year it was honoured with a Song of the Year nomination at the Ivor Novello Awards, but it lost to "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. The song is frequently included on greatest hits compilations, usually in its edited single version.
Chart performance
Weekly charts Chart (1978)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)9Austria 23Belgium 8Canada 8Finland 7West Germany 10Netherlands 16New Zealand6Switzerland 6UK Singles Chart9US Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - 8
Year-end charts Chart (1978)RankAustralia (Kent Music Report)55Canada 63New Zealand 29U.S. Billboard Hot 100 23
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