How Do I Breathe

"How Do I Breathe"
Single by Mario
from the album Go
Released	May 15, 2007 (U.S.) August 13, 2007 (UK)
Format	Digital download CD single vinyl single
Recorded	2006
Genre	R&B Pop
Label	J Records
Writer(s)	Stargate Phil "Taj" Jackson Amber Rives Mario
Producer	Stargate
Mario singles chronology
"Boom" (2005) "How Do I Breathe" (2007) "Crying out for Me" (2007)

"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.

Writing and recording

Mario met Stargate, the producers 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".

Critical reception

Mark Edward Nero of About.com 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.

Music video

The video was directed by Melina and premiered on BET'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.

Different Variations of "How Do I Breathe"

After the song was released, they were two different variations that were available. The official version provided by Sony BMG, which was included within the official music video, has different lyrics than the one obtained via a Peer-to-peer file sharing network. The specific difference in the lyrics is seen within the bridge of the song near the end.

In the official version, the bridge's lyrics is as follows :

“Ooh, I should've brought my love home, girl.
And 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...
When your not with me...”

In the other version obtained via a Peer-to-peer file sharing network, the bridge's lyrics is as follows:

“Ooh, 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...
When your not with me...”

The other version obtained via a Peer-to-peer file sharing network also features a shout out to former NFL running back Shaun Alexander by an untold DJ near the end of the track.

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 Dance, danced to "How Do I Breathe" as the part of the competition

Track listing

UK CD:

1. "How Do I Breathe" (radio edit)
2. "How Do I Breathe" (Full Phat remix) (ft Rhymefest)

Promo CD:

1. "How Do I Breathe" (radio edit)
2. "How Do I Breathe" (instrumental)

How Do I Breathe, Pt. 2 [SINGLE] [ENHANCED] [IMPORT]

1. "Radio Edit"
2. "Full Phat Remix (ft Rhymefest)"
3. "Allister Whitehead Remix"
4. "Video - How Do I Breathe"

How Do I Breathe [SINGLE]

1. "Radio Edit" (3:38)
2. "Instrumental" (3:38)
3. "Call Out Hook" (0:10)

Charts

Chart (2007/2008)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	46
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	18
U.S. Billboard Pop 100	61
Billboard Eurochart Hot 100 Singles	47
UK Singles Chart	21
German Singles Chart	49
Irish Singles Chart	45
Swiss Singles Chart	61