Genre R&B | ||
Released July 28, 2003 (2003-07-28) Format CD
12"
digital download Recorded October 15 – November 4, 2002 Studio Sound on Sound Recording
(New York City, New York, U.S.) Length 3:25 (album version)
3:48 (rap version) | ||
"Breathe" is a song by American recording artist Blu Cantrell from her second studio album, Bittersweet (2003).
Contents
- Song information
- Music video
- Chart performance
- Track listings
- Official versions and remixes
- Cover versions
- References
A remixed version featuring Sean Paul was released as a single on July 28, 2003. The album version of this song was produced and co-written by Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin. The remix featuring Sean Paul was produced by Ivan Matias, Andrea Martin and Mark Pitts. The song peaked at 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the United States, "Breathe" became a smash hit in Europe, most notably in the United Kingdom, where it topped the charts for four weeks in August 2003.
Song information
"Breathe" was originally recorded for the Bittersweet album without Sean Paul, but his vocals were added for the single release. The song uses a slightly altered instrumental of Dr. Dre's 1999 song "What's the Difference" featuring Eminem and Xzibit, which in turn revolved around a sample from Charles Aznavour's 1966 song "Parce Que Tu Crois". In an interview with the Metro, when asked what it was like to work with Dre, Cantrell said, "It was a remix, so I never actually got to meet him. They were his beats, but it was actually produced by another girl, Andrea Martin, and Ivan Matias. If I had to choose, I much prefer the remix to the original."
Music video
The music video was directed by Hype Williams. This music video is not available on YouTube in the United States, but outside of the United States, where it is available to watch on YouTube, it has received over 11 million views.
Chart performance
"Breathe" almost peaked inside the top 40 of her home market the US. The song debuted at number 59 on the week ending August 5, 2003. It started its 12-week climb into the top 50 and eventually went on to peak and chart at numbers 41–45 for a total of 16 weeks. "Breathe"'s chart run is also noted as the longest time a song has stayed on the chart without peaking inside the top 40. It stayed on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for almost a year, charting 49 non-consecutive weeks inside the chart, only falling off for one week before re-entering the chart for two weeks and then ending its 49-week run on the chart dated August 6, 2004.
The song was particularly successful in the United Kingdom, where it debuted and peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart on August 3, 2003 – for the week ending date August 9, 2003. It spent four weeks at the summit, replacing Daniel Bedingfield's "Never Gonna Leave Your Side". "Breathe" was eventually dethroned from the top of the chart by the 2003 remix of Elton John's "Are You Ready for Love". It became Britain's eighth-biggest-selling single of 2003, with sales of 330,000, and has since sold over 410,000 copies there.
Track listings
- "Breathe" (Rap Version featuring Sean Paul) – 3:48
- "Breathe" (Radio Mix) – 3:25
- "Breathe" (Ed Funk & D Rok Remix) – 5:31
- "Breathe" (Rap Version - Radio Mix featuring Sean Paul) – 3:49
- "Breathe" (No Rap Version - Radio Mix) – 3:21
- "Breathe" (Andy & The Lamboy Radio Edit) – 3:46
- "Breathe" (Instrumental) – 3:45
- "Breathe" (Rap Version - Radio Mix featuring Sean Paul) – 3:51
- "Breathe" (No Rap Version - Radio Mix) – 3:21