“Breathe” by Télépopmusik (ft. Angela McCluskey)

The lyrics of Télépopmusik’s “Breathe”, in terms of how many different words are actually used, is very terse. In other words, from a vocal perspective it is very simple and repetitive, thus actually taking a bit of imagination in terms of trying to ascertain exactly what’s going down. 

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Télépopmusik's Breathe at Lyrics.org.

But one plausible and even likely theory is that the vocalist is addressing an ex. Thus, what the lyrics are actually based on her inability to get over this individual. This is why for instance she asserts the addressee ‘haunts her dreams’, not because he’s dead, but rather such serving as a metaphor for her inability to get over him. 

But as time progresses, she has grown “used” to being alone. However, Angela has not given up hope that one day said individual will reemerge into her life. So in the meantime she is tasking herself with patiently waiting – or ‘just breathing’, as allegorically put – until that day such transpires. But that said, dance songs like this tend to be intentionally vague. So of course what’s going on is open to listener interpretation.

Lyrics to "Breathe" by Télépopmusik

“Breathe” Facts

Primary Artist(s): Télépopmusik
Featured Artist(s): Angela McCluskey
Album/EP: “Genetic World” 

Did Télépopmusik release “Breathe” as a single?

Yes. February 18 of 2002, saw the track come out as a single from the album, “Genetic World”.

Credits

It was authored by the following:

  • Angela McCluskey
  • Stephan Haeri
  • Fabrice Dumont

Grammy Nomination

“Breathe” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Dance category in 2004. The song, including three others, eventually lost to Kylie Minogue’s “Come into My World”. The other songs were:

Notable Usage of “Breathe”

In 2003, auto giants, Mitsubishi, featured the song in their advertising campaign aimed at promoting their Outlander model.

Peugeot in the UK also used the song in 2002 during the promotion of their 307 model.

“Breathe” also featured prominently in the “Love Every Day” campaign for Visa Europe.

Chart Performance

  • US (78)
  • UK Singles (42)
Breathe

The “Genetic World” Album

French music group, Télépopmusik made their debut in 2001 by releasing their first single titled, Breathe. Scottish singer Angela McCluskey featured and provided vocals on the song. Breathe is the first song on the group’s debut studio album, Genetic World.

Capitol Records first released Genetic World on March 16, 2001. However, per the demands of Heisenberg, the album’s producer, it was re-released on April 16, 2002. The original tracklisting of the album contains eleven songs, with Angela McCluskey featuring on four and Soda-pop having two features.

Upon its release, it received high accolades and excitement from music critics and reviewers. Metacritic gave it a 70% score and indicated that it is a generally good album. In addition, AllMusic awarded it with a 3-star rating and wrote that the album spoke to all music fans.

Genetic World managed to hit the 5th spot on the Billboard Dance Albums Chart, where it spent over five months. On the UK albums (OCC), it peaked at number 88 and had a generally high commercial success.

The album’s leading song, Breathe, was nominated at the 2004 Grammy Awards for the Grammy Best Dance Recording Award. Genetic World has sold more than a quarter of a million copies globally.

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