How Do I Breathe
Encyclopedia
"How Do I Breathe" is an R&B
single by Mario. It is the first single from his third studio album
Go. The single was released on May 15, 2007. It was produced by Stargate
. On the issue date of July 7, 2007, the single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100
at number 91. "How Do I Breathe" also debuted on the UK Singles Chart
at number 30 on download sales alone, the day before the physical release of the song. It also became Mario's last charting single in the UK. The song has also peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart thus far. The official remix of the song features Fabolous
and another remix was made which features Cassidy. A rare third one features both artists and switches between beats.The song was co-written by Mario.
from Norway. They met when Mario was overseas touring, and they were talking about a little producing. They were up-and- coming at the time. Mario heard their music all over the radio. Mario was thinking, ‘Wow, I really like their music. These guys are classic'. Mario and Stargate did two songs, which they made with Mario, himself and Ne-Yo
, but they didn’t make the project. Then they did two more songs, which Mario co-wrote and one of them was “How Do I Breathe".Mario tells: "the truth is that I felt like the track already had a story to tell; but that there had to be a certain flow over the record. I had to show some vulnerability, and that is what the record is about. It’s about being vulnerable and knowing that you lost something that so essential to your life. I’d say it’s about 75% true to life, and the rest is just creative writing".
says "The track isn't particularly groundbreaking, but it has a simple charm, in a sort of Ne-Yo
meets Toni Braxton
kind of way".
Aaron Fields of KSTW.com
stats " First single off the album, yet didn't have the success like "Let me love you" did. I remember thinking he was definitely back when I heard this song. I'm not sure why this song didn't get more attention as it is one of the better songs done by him, nevertheless I probably would have picked this for the first single as well. I still bump this one in the car.
's Access Granted
on May 23, 2007. One scene where Mario is dressed in a white t-shirt while singing in smoke, is similar to the scene in Kanye West
's video "Touch the Sky
".
After its premiere, "How Do I Breathe" received heavy airplay on BET's music video countdown show 106 & Park
. It also appeared at number 87 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2007 countdown.
The lyrics for the video version of the song and the version found on file sharing software differ slightly.
In the video version the bridge is:
In the version found on file sharing software the bridge is:
The file sharing mp3 version also features a shout out to former NFL runningback Shaun Alexander by an untold DJ near the end of the track. Perhaps it was because it was around this time that he became the NFL's MVP
, danced to "How Do I Breathe" as the part of the competition
Promo CD:
How Do I Breathe, Pt. 2 [SINGLE] [ENHANCED] [IMPORT]
How Do I Breathe [SINGLE]
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
single by Mario. It is the first single from his third studio album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Go. The single was released on May 15, 2007. It was produced by Stargate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
. On the issue date of July 7, 2007, the single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number 91. "How Do I Breathe" also debuted on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at number 30 on download sales alone, the day before the physical release of the song. It also became Mario's last charting single in the UK. The song has also peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart thus far. The official remix of the song features Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
and another remix was made which features Cassidy. A rare third one features both artists and switches between beats.The song was co-written by Mario.
Writing and recording
Mario met Stargate, the producersRecord producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
from Norway. They met when Mario was overseas touring, and they were talking about a little producing. They were up-and- coming at the time. Mario heard their music all over the radio. Mario was thinking, ‘Wow, I really like their music. These guys are classic'. Mario and Stargate did two songs, which they made with Mario, himself and Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, but they didn’t make the project. Then they did two more songs, which Mario co-wrote and one of them was “How Do I Breathe".Mario tells: "the truth is that I felt like the track already had a story to tell; but that there had to be a certain flow over the record. I had to show some vulnerability, and that is what the record is about. It’s about being vulnerable and knowing that you lost something that so essential to your life. I’d say it’s about 75% true to life, and the rest is just creative writing".
Critical reception
Mark Edward Nero of About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
says "The track isn't particularly groundbreaking, but it has a simple charm, in a sort of Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
meets Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
kind of way".
Aaron Fields of KSTW.com
KSTW
KSTW is a television station serving the Seattle, Washington media market. It is owned by CBS Corporation, and is a part of The CW Television Network. It broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 11...
stats " First single off the album, yet didn't have the success like "Let me love you" did. I remember thinking he was definitely back when I heard this song. I'm not sure why this song didn't get more attention as it is one of the better songs done by him, nevertheless I probably would have picked this for the first single as well. I still bump this one in the car.
Music video
The video was directed by Melina and premiered on BETBlack Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's Access Granted
Access Granted
Access Granted is an American television series that features an in depth look at the planning and production of R&B and hip hop music videos. Each week, a different artist and their new music video are featured, with the video premiering at the end of the episode. The series began airing in 2001...
on May 23, 2007. One scene where Mario is dressed in a white t-shirt while singing in smoke, is similar to the scene in Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's video "Touch the Sky
Touch the Sky
"Touch the Sky" is a song by American hip hop artist Kanye West. It was released in early 2006 as the fourth single from his second album, Late Registration. The song features Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco on his radio debut and was produced by Just Blaze, standing as the only song on the entire album...
".
After its premiere, "How Do I Breathe" received heavy airplay on BET's music video countdown show 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
. It also appeared at number 87 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2007 countdown.
The lyrics for the video version of the song and the version found on file sharing software differ slightly.
In the video version the bridge is:
“I should've brought my love home/Baby, I ain't perfect you know/The grind has got a tight hold/Girl come back to me/Cause girl you made it hard to breathe/”
In the version found on file sharing software the bridge is:
“I can't get over you no/Baby I don't wanna let go/Girl you need to come home/Back to me/Cause girl you made it hard to breathe/”
The file sharing mp3 version also features a shout out to former NFL runningback Shaun Alexander by an untold DJ near the end of the track. Perhaps it was because it was around this time that he became the NFL's MVP
In other media
On July 16, 2008, Kourtni Lind & Matt Dorame from the U.S. television reality program and dance competition So You Think You Can DanceSo You Think You Can Dance (Season 4)
So You Think You Can Dance is a United States television reality program and dance competition airing on the Fox Broadcasting Company network. Season four premiered on May 22, 2008, with Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy returning as permanent judges and Cat Deeley returning to host...
, danced to "How Do I Breathe" as the part of the competition
Track listing
UK CD:- "How Do I Breathe" (radio edit)
- "How Do I Breathe" (Full Phat remix) (ft RhymefestRhymefestChe Smith , known by the stage name of Rhymefest, is an American hip hop artist from Chicago, Illinois whose first official album, Blue Collar, was released on July 11, 2006. He co-wrote Kanye West's "Jesus Walks", which won a Grammy at the 47th Grammy Awards. In October, 2010, Rhymefest announced...
)
Promo CD:
- "How Do I Breathe" (radio edit)
- "How Do I Breathe" (instrumental)
How Do I Breathe, Pt. 2 [SINGLE] [ENHANCED] [IMPORT]
- "Radio Edit"
- "Full Phat Remix (ft RhymefestRhymefestChe Smith , known by the stage name of Rhymefest, is an American hip hop artist from Chicago, Illinois whose first official album, Blue Collar, was released on July 11, 2006. He co-wrote Kanye West's "Jesus Walks", which won a Grammy at the 47th Grammy Awards. In October, 2010, Rhymefest announced...
)" - "Allister Whitehead Remix"
- "Video - How Do I Breathe"
How Do I Breathe [SINGLE]
- "Radio Edit" (3:38)
- "Instrumental" (3:38)
- "Call Out Hook" (0:10)
Charts
| Chart (2007/2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
46 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
18 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop 100 Pop 100 The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009... |
61 |
| Billboard Eurochart Hot 100 Singles Eurochart Hot 100 Singles The European Hot 100 Singles has been compiled by Billboard and Music & Media magazine since March, 1984. The chart is based on national singles sales charts in 15 European countries: Austria, Belgium , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden,... |
47 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
21 |
| Australian Singles Chart | 33 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 17 |
| German Singles Chart | 49 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
45 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 61 |