How Do I Breathe

"How Do I Breathe"
Single by Mario
from the album Go
ReleasedMay 15, 2007
GenreR&B[1]
Length3:36
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Stargate
Mario singles chronology
"Boom"
(2005) 		"How Do I Breathe"
(2007) 		"Crying Out for Me"
(2007)

"How Do I Breathe" is a song recorded by American singer Mario. It was written by Mario along with Phil "Taj" Jackson as well as Mikkel Storleer Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen from production duo Stargate for his third studio album Go (2007), while production was helmed by Eriksen and Hermansen.

Released as the album's lead single on May 15, 2007, "How Do I Breathe" earned largely positive reviews. While it became a top 20 hit in the Netherlands and New Zealand, the song was less successful in the United States, where it peaked at number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100. The official remix of the song features rapper Fabolous, while a second official remix features Cassidy.[2]

Writing and recording

Mario teamed up with Mikkel Storleer Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen from Norwegian production duo Stargate to work on his third studio album Go (2007). Along with co-writer Ne-Yo, Eriksen and Hermansen produced two songs for Go, none of which made the final track listing.[3] The eventually finished two more songs, includng "How Do I Breathe," co-written by Mario.[3] The singer commented on the track: "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."[3]

Critical reception

"How Do I Breathe" earned largely positive reviews. Gail Mitchell, writing for Billboard found that the song espouses the timeless feel of "Let Me Love You," while Mark Edward Nero of About.com noted that "the track isn't particularly groundbreaking, but it has a simple charm, in a sort of Ne-Yo meets Toni Braxton kind of way."[4] AllMusic editor Andy Kellman ranked the song among his highlights on parent album Go.[5] In a retropstive review, Aaron Fields of KSTW.com stated: "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."[6]

Commercial performance

"How Do I Breathe" was released on May 15, 2007. It debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 91 in the week of July 7, 2007 and eventually peaked two weeks later, reaching number 46.[7] This marked the lowest peak for any lead single from Mario's studio albums by then.[7] The song also reached at number 18 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Mario's fourth top 20 hit on the chart.[8] In the United Kingdom, the song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 30 on download sales alone, the day before the physical release of the song.[9] It eventually peaked at number 21 on the chart.[9] "How Do I Breathe" also reached number four on the UK R&B chart.[10] On November November 4, 2022, it was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streaming figures in excess of 200,000 units..[11]

Music video

The video was directed by Melina Matsoukas.[12] Set in Los Angeles, it features actor Xavier Lamar Truesdell in a guest appearance.[12] The visuals premiered on BET's Access Granted on May 23, 2007.[13] 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.[14]

Track listing

Digital / CD single[15]
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."How Do I Breathe" (radio edit)Stargate3:37
2."How Do I Breathe" (instrumental)Stargate3:37
3."How Do I Breathe" (callout hook)Stargate0:20
Digital / CD maxi single[16]
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."How Do I Breathe" (album version)Stargate3:37
2."How Do I Breathe" (Full Phatt remix, featuring Rhymefest)
4:31
3."How Do I Breathe" (Allister Whitehead remix featuring Cassidy)
4:15

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer

Credits and personnel

Credits lifted from the liner notes of Go.[17]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "How Do I Breathe"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[11] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Mario - Go - Album Reviews". Archived from the original on 2007-12-21.
  2. ^ "How do I Breathe - Single by Mario". iTunes. 7 August 2007.
  3. ^ a b c "Mario Interview". Archived from the original on June 6, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2009.
  4. ^ "New Music: Mario - "How Do I Breathe"". Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  5. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Go – Mario". AllMusic. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Beat: Mario "Go" Review". Archived from the original on December 3, 2008.
  7. ^ a b c "Mario Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Mario Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "British single certifications – Mario – How Do I Breathe". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Mario: How Do I Breathe". IMDB. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  13. ^ "Kanye West - Touch The Sky Music Video". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  14. ^ "Notarized: BET's Top 100 Videos of 2007". Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  15. ^ "How Do I Breathe by Mario". Retrieved October 9, 2024 – via Spotify.
  16. ^ "How Do I Breathe by Mario". Retrieved October 9, 2024 – via Spotify.
  17. ^ Go (booklet). Mario. J Records. 2007.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ "Mario – How Do I Breathe". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  19. ^ "Issue 920" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  20. ^ "Mario – How Do I Breathe" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  21. ^ "Chart Track: Week 29, 2007". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  22. ^ "Mario – How Do I Breathe" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  23. ^ "Mario – How Do I Breathe". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  24. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  25. ^ "Mario – How Do I Breathe". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  26. ^ "Mario Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  27. ^ "Go - Mario - Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  28. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2021.