Barely Breathing

"Barely Breathing" is the first single from American singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik's eponymous debut album. Written by Sheik and produced by Rupert Hine, it became a chart hit in North America in late 1996 and early 1997, receiving several accolades in the years following its release.

"Barely Breathing"
Single by Duncan Sheik
from the album Duncan Sheik
B-side"Home"
Released1996
Genre
Length
  • 4:15 (album version)
  • 3:56 (radio edit)
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Duncan Sheik
Producer(s)Rupert Hine
Duncan Sheik singles chronology
"Barely Breathing"
(1996)		 "She Runs Away"
(1997)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help

Critical reception

Larry Flick of Billboard magazine called the song's hook "breezy and memorable" and its lyrics "intelligent".[2]

Chart performance

"Barely Breathing" was shipped to radio in May 1996.[3] It was Sheik's breakout hit, peaking at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and remaining on the chart for 55 weeks.[4] At the time, it was the fourth-longest-running single on the Hot 100.[5] It also reached number one on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart and number 19 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary chart.[6][7] In Canada the song peaked at number 12 on the RPM Top Singles chart and number 20 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.[8][9] "Barely Breathing" also found moderate success in Iceland, peaking at number 40 on the Íslenski Listinn Topp 40,[10] but it did not make an impact in the British Isles or mainland Europe.

Accolades

"Barely Breathing" was ranked number 88 on Vh1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s.[11] and number eight on their 40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 90s list. Additionally, "Barely Breathing" earned Sheik a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance[12] and a BMI Award for Most Played Song of the Year in 1997.[13]

Track listings and formats
  1. "Barely Breathing"  – 4:15
  2. "Home"  – 4:48
  1. "Barely Breathing" (Radio Edit) – 3:57
  2. "The End of Outside" (Live) – 5:02
  3. "Rubbed Out" (Live) – 5:19

Charts

The song was covered in a 2012 episode of the American television series Glee.[22]

References
  1. Kelly McCartney. "Duncan Sheik – Duncan Sheik". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 October 2019. the pop/rock hit "Barely Breathing."
  2. Flick, Larry (November 9, 1996). "Reviews & Previews – Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 108 no. 45. p. 68. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  3. Reece, Doug (April 5, 1997). "Atlantic's Tireless Efforts Break Sheik". Billboard.
  4. "Duncan Sheik Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  5. "Hip Online: Artists: Duncan Sheik". Archived from the original on October 31, 2006. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
  6. "Duncan Sheik Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  7. "Duncan Sheik Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  8. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3176." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  9. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3197." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  10. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (20.3. '97 – 26.3. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). March 21, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  11. "VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s". www.ultimate-guitar.com.
  12. "New awakening spurs 2nd Grammy bid for Sheik". DeseretNews.com. February 1, 2008.
  13. "Duncan Sheik: CV". Archived from the original on November 29, 2006. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
  14. Barely Breathing (US CD Single liner notes). Duncan Sheik. Atlantic Records. 1996. 2-87027.CS1 maint: others (link)
  15. Barely Breathing (US Cassette liner notes). Duncan Sheik. Atlantic Records. 1996. 4-87027.CS1 maint: others (link)
  16. Barely Breathing (EU CD Single liner notes). Duncan Sheik. Atlantic Records. 1996. 7567-85464-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  17. "Duncan Sheik Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  18. "Duncan Sheik Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  19. "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  20. "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  21. "Greatest of All Time Adult Pop Songs : Page 1". Billboard. March 18, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  22. "Barely Breathing (Glee Cast Version)". Amazon.com. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
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