Breathe (2 AM)

"Breathe (2 AM)" is the debut single of American singer-songwriter Anna Nalick. The song was first released in 2004 and re-released in 2005, when it charted at number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. In New Zealand, it peaked at number 37. "Breathe (2 AM)" has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

"Breathe (2 AM)"
Single by Anna Nalick
from the album Wreck of the Day
B-side	"Home" (acoustic version) "Catalyst" (acoustic version)
Released	November 1, 2004 (2004-11-01)
Studio	Wishbone (Muscle Shoals, Alabama, US)
Length	4:39 (album version) 4:09 (radio edit)
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Anna Nalick
Producer(s)	Eric Rosse Christopher Thorn
Anna Nalick singles chronology
"Breathe (2 AM)" (2004) "In the Rough" (2005)

Content

The verses tell the stories of three characters: a friend of the narrator's who has fallen into an unhappy relationship, an alcoholic soldier at Fort Bliss, and the narrator's experience of writing and performing a song. Chuck Taylor describes it as "an introspective yet confessional tale about learning to handle everyday challenges — and remembering to take time to breathe".^[1]

Track listings

In the United States, only a promotional disc of "Breathe (2 AM)" was released.^[2] In Australia, a proper CD single was issued, backed with acoustic versions of non-album track "Home" and album track "Catalyst".

Australian CD single^[3]

1. "Breathe (2 AM)" – 4:40
2. "Home" (acoustic version) – 2:48
3. "Catalyst" (acoustic version) – 3:29

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the US promo CD liner notes.^[2]

Studios

• Produced and recorded at Studio Wishbone (Muscle Shoals, Alabama, US)
• Mixed at Image Recording Studios (Hollywood, California, US)
• Mastered at The Lodge (New York City)

Personnel

• Anna Nalick – words, music, vocals
• Christopher Thorn – guitars, production, recording
• Brad Smith – bass, production, recording
• Joey Waronker – drums
• Zac Rae – piano
• Cameron Stone – cello
• Eric Rosse – string arrangement, production, recording
• Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
• Emily Lazar – mastering
• Sarah Register – mastering assistant

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2005–2006) Peak position Australia (ARIA)^[4] 79 Canada AC (Billboard)^[5] 29 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[6] 37 US Billboard Hot 100^[7] 45 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)^[8] 16 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[9] 4 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[10] 6 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[11] 22

Year-end charts Chart (2005) Position US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[12] 14 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[12] 9

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[13]	Gold	10,000^*
United States (RIAA)^[14]	Gold	500,000^*
^* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	November 1, 2004	Hot adult contemporary radio	Columbia	^[15]
	February 14, 2005	Adult contemporary radio		^[16]
	April 11, 2005	Contemporary hit radio		^[17]
Australia	August 8, 2005	CD		^[18]

References

1. Taylor, Chuck. "Breathe (2 A.M.)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
2. Breathe (2 AM) (US promo CD liner notes). Anna Nalick. Columbia Records. 2004. CSK 54788.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
3. Breathe (2 AM) (Australian CD single liner notes). Anna Nalick. Columbia Records. 2004. 676027.1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. "Issue 807" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
5. "Anna Nalick Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
6. "Anna Nalick – Breathe (2 AM)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
7. "Anna Nalick Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
8. "Anna Nalick Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
9. "Anna Nalick Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
10. "Anna Nalick Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
11. "Anna Nalick Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
12. "2005 The Year in Music & Touring" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 52. December 24, 2005. p. YE-76. (PDF) from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
13. "Canadian single certifications – Anna Nalick – Breathe (2AM)". Music Canada. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
14. "American single certifications – Anna Nalick – Breathe (2 AM)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
15. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1579. October 29, 2004. p. 19. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
16. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1593. February 11, 2005. p. 27. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
17. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1601. April 8, 2005. p. 21. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
18. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 8th August 2005" (PDF). ARIA. August 8, 2005. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2005. Retrieved May 22, 2021.