"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 was released on November 12, 1996, and became a chart hit in North America in early 1997, receiving several accolades in the years following its release.
Larry Flick of Billboard magazine called the song's hook "breezy and memorable" and its lyrics "intelligent".[2]
Chart performance[]
"Barely Breathing" was Sheik's breakout hit, peaking at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and remaining on the chart for 55 weeks.[3] At the time, it was the fourth-longest-running single on the Hot 100.[4] It also reached number one on the BillboardAdult Alternative Songs chart and number 19 on the BillboardHot Adult Contemporary chart.[5][6] In Canada the song peaked at number 12 on the RPM Top Singles chart and number 20 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.[7][8] "Barely Breathing" also found moderate success in Iceland, peaking at number 40 on the Íslenski Listinn Topp 40,[9] 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.[10][better source needed] and number eight on their 40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 90s list.[citation needed] Additionally, "Barely Breathing" earned Sheik a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance[11] and a BMI Award for Most Played Song of the Year in 1997.[12][better source needed]
^Barely Breathing (US CD single liner notes). Duncan Sheik. Atlantic Records. 1996. 2-87027.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Barely Breathing (US cassette liner notes). Duncan Sheik. Atlantic Records. 1996. 4-87027.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Barely Breathing (European CD single liner notes). Duncan Sheik. Atlantic Records. 1996. 7567-85464-2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
