"Breathe" is a song by American singer Blu Cantrell, taken from her second studio album, Bittersweet (2003). A remix version featuring Sean Paul was released as a single in 2003.

Song information

Released in July 2003, the album's lead single became a smash hit in Europe and a moderate success in the United States. The song uses the instrumental of Dr. Dre featuring Eminem and Xzibit's 1999 song "What's the Difference", which revolved around a sample from Charles Aznavour's 1966 song "Parce Que Tu Crois". The song was originally recorded for the Bittersweet album without Sean Paul, but his vocals were added for the single release.

Formats and track listings

UK CD 1/European CD single

1. "Breathe" (Rap Version featuring Sean Paul) – 3:48
2. "Breathe" (Album Version) – 3:25
3. "Breathe" (Ed Funk & D Rok Remix) – 5:31French CD single
4. "Breathe" (Rap Version - Radio Mix featuring Sean Paul) – 3:51
5. "Breathe" (Album Version - Radio Mix) – 3:21CD single
6. "Breathe" (Rap Version featuring Sean Paul) – 3:48
7. "Breathe" (Rap Version featuring E-40) – 3:45
8. "Breathe" (Instrumental) – 3:46UK CD 2/European CD maxi single
9. "Breathe" [Rap Version - Radio Mix featuring Sean Paul) – 3:49
10. "Breathe" (Album Version - Radio Mix) – 3:21
11. "Breathe" (Andy & The Lamboy Radio Mix) – 3:46
12. "Breathe" (Instrumental) – 3:45U.S. 12" maxi single (2002)
13. Side A:
14. "Breathe" (Rap Version featuring Sean Paul) – 3:48
15. "Breathe" (Instrumental) – 3:45
16. "Breathe" (Rap Version Acappella featuring Sean Paul) – 3:48
17. Side B:
18. "Breathe" (Rap Version featuring E-40) – 3:45
19. "Breathe" (Instrumental) – 3:40
20. "Breathe" (Rap Version Acappella) – 3:43

Official versions and remixes

• Rap Version – 3:48
• Rap Version - Radio Mix featuring Sean Paul - 3:51
• Album Version – 3:25
• Ed Funk & D Rok Remix (Garage Mix)
• Andy & The Lamboy Radio Mix – 3:47
• Andy & The Lamboy Club Mix – 8:44
• Instrumental – 3:46

Chart performance

The song debuted at the number-one spot in the UK Official Download Chart on August 4, 2003 and is number one from the chart week dating August 10, 2003. It topped the chart for four weeks in August 2003, knocking Daniel Bedingfield's "Never Gonna Leave Your Side" off of the top position, and then being knocked off by the 2003 remix of Elton John's "Are You Ready for Love".

Charts

Chart (2002)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	17
Chart (2003)	Peak position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	8
Ö3 Austria Top 40	11
Belgian Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders)	22
Belgian Ultratop 40 Singles (Wallonia)	15
Danish Singles Chart	7
Dutch Top 40	4
Eurochart Hot 100 Singles	1
Euro 200	1
French SNEP Singles Chart	13
German Singles Chart	7
Hungarian Mahasz Singles Chart	8

Chart (2003)	Peak position
Hungarian Mahasz Dance Chart	3
Irish Singles Chart	1
Italian FIMI Singles Chart	28
Norwegian Singles Chart	6
Swedish Singles Chart	14
Swiss Singles Chart	5
UK Singles Chart	1
United World Chart	8
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	70
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	83
Chart (2004)	Peak position
Romanian Top 100	1

Year-end charts

2003 year-end chart positions for "Breathe"

Country/Chart	Peak
Austria	65
Denmark	26
Europe Top 100	20
France	59
Ireland	15
Netherlands	52
Norway	18
Sweden	35
Switzerland	15
UK	6

Cover versions

• Roesy on Even Better Than the Real Thing Vol. 1

References