Barely Breathing

"Barely Breathing"
Single by Duncan Sheik
from the album Duncan Sheik
B-side	"Home"
Released	November 12, 1996
Format	CD single, Cassette single
Genre	Alternative
Length	4:15 (Album Version) 3:56 (Radio Edit)
Label	Atlantic
Writer(s)	Duncan Sheik
Duncan Sheik singles chronology
- "Barely Breathing" (1996) "She Runs Away" (1997)

"Barely Breathing" is the first single from singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik's self-titled debut album. Originally intended as a "throwaway" track written to complete the album, the song catapulted Sheik to fame as his breakout hit, entering the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard charts, peaking at #16, and holding steady for a record-breaking 55 weeks. "Barely Breathing" also hit number nineteen on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart . At the time, it was the fourth longest-running single in the Hot 100. It ranked #88 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s, also ranking #8 on their 40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 90s list.

"Barely Breathing" earned Sheik a BMI Award for Most Played Song of the Year in 1997 and a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1998.

Track listing

• US CD Single:

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

• UK CD Single:

1. "Barely Breathing (Radio Edit)" - 3:57
2. "The End of Outside (Live)" - 5:02
3. "Rubbed Out" - 5:19

• Alternate CD Single:

1. "Barely Breathing (Radio Edit)" - 3:56
2. "Barely Breathing (Album Version)" - 4:15

Chart performance

Chart (1997)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100	16
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)	19
US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard)	2
US Pop Songs (Billboard)	10

Year-end

Chart (1997)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	18