music.wikisort.org - Composition

"Barely Breathing" is a song by American singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik from his eponymous debut studio album (1996). It was released as the lead single from the album on May 3, 1996, by Atlantic Records, having been released to radio in May 1996. Sheik is the sole writer of the song, while production was helmed by Rupert Hine. The song became a chart hit in North America in 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"
Released	May 3, 1996 (1996-05-03)
Genre	Pop rock[1] folk-pop[2]
Length	4:15 (album version) 3:56 (radio edit)
Label	Atlantic
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 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 Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart and number 19 on the Billboard Hot 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]

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]}

Music video

The music video was directed by Tom Oliphant in Brooklyn, New York, in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.[13]

Cover versions

"Barely Breathing" was one of the songs covered by the cast of Glee during the October 12, 2012, episode "The Break Up".[14]

Track listings and formats

• US CD single and cassette[15][16]

1. "Barely Breathing" – 4:15
2. "Home" – 4:48

• European CD single[17]

1. "Barely Breathing" (radio edit) – 3:57
2. "The End of Outside" (live) – 5:02
3. "Rubbed Out" (live) – 5:19

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the Duncan Sheik album liner notes.[18]

• Duncan Sheik – lead vocals, harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, E-Bow, piano, sampler
• Pino Palladino – bass
• Jean-Michel Biger – drums
• Rupert Hine – percussion, background vocals
• Fran Banish – slide guitar

Charts

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	May 3, 1996	Modern rock triple A radio	Atlantic	[24]
	October 29, 1996	Contemporary hit radio		[25]
	November 12, 1996	CD cassette		[citation needed]

References

External links

• Official music video on YouTube

---