Don't Hold Your Breath
"Don't Hold Your Breath" is a song by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, taken from her debut album, Killer Love (2011). The song began as a demo or reference track by American artists Timbaland and Keri Hilson, which leaked online in June 2010. It went through various iterations and versions which leaked ahead of its release in 2011. The final mixed and mastered version of "Don't Hold Your Breath" was released on March 10, 2011, through Interscope Records, preceding its parent album by one week. "Don't Hold Your Breath" was written by a trio of American songwriters: Josh Alexander, Toby Gad, and Billy Steinberg. It is an empowering independence anthem with lyrics that speak of rebuking the advances of an ex-lover, that features a pop and synth-pop production, with electro-pop beats and Eurodance stylings. Production was courtesy of Carl Falk, Rami and Steve Josefsson.
| "Don't Hold Your Breath" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Nicole Scherzinger | ||||
| from the album Killer Love | ||||
| Released | March 10, 2011 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:17 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Nicole Scherzinger singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Many music critics praised the dance-pop, pop music and synth-pop song for its brilliance and anthemic qualities, as well as the conviction and lyrics about independence and freedom. The song was also praised as a worthy successor to Killer Love's prior single "Poison" (2010). "Don't Hold Your Breath" topped both the Scottish Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart, as well as making top-five appearances in Australia and Ireland, and on the Billboard Euro Digital Songs chart. In the United Kingdom, it dethroned "Someone Like You" by Adele only to be replaced by the same song the following week. The former became Scherzinger's third UK chart topper behind her singles "Don't Cha" and "Stickwitu", released as part of the Pussycat Dolls.
On the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart, "Don't Hold Your Breath" was blocked from number one by Jessica Sutta's single "Show Me". As of March 2021, the song had sold over 621,000 copies, and been streamed over 14 million times in the UK, earning it a Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). In Australia, "Don't Hold Your Breath" earned a 2× Platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). In Cosmopolitan magazine's 'Best Break Up Songs' ranking, the song appeared at number nine, and it also ranked at number 23 on the Huffington Post's 'Top 50 Number Ones of the Last Ten Years' list.
An accompanying music video for was directed by Rich Lee, and follows Scherzinger as she experiences the emotions of the song. Scenes include a hackney carriage journey, self-realisation, scornful glances in the mirror, and wandering around an old house. The visual received generally positive reviews from critics, who described it as one of Scherzinger's most personal music videos to date. "Don't Hold Your Breath" was performed across a variety of TV Shows, including Dancing on Ice, Let's Dance for Comic Relief, and Good Morning America. A number of remixes by DJs and producers were released in support of the song, and it also featured in the setlist for Scherzinger's debut solo concert tour the Killer Love Tour.
Background and development edit
Following the success of 2010's "Poison", which music critics called "one of last year's most amazing pop surprises", "Don't Hold Your Breath" was unveiled as the second single from Scherzinger's debut album Killer Love in January 2011.[1] Several different demos and unfinished versions of the song would leak ahead of its official release on March 10, 2011.[2] First to leak was a full length demo or reference track by American producer-artist Timbaland and American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, which had appeared on YouTube in June 2010.[3] According to Muumuse, this version featured "spacey synthesizers and a tripping, hip-hop beat" with Hilson taking on the chorus. It featured on the Tapemasters Inc. The Future Of R&B 33 mixtape.[4] Then on January 5, 2011, a snippet of Scherzinger's version appeared online. At the time, it was thought to have been produced by Moroccan producer RedOne, who had been confirmed to be working on Scherzinger's debut album.[3][5] This version of the song had a more prominent dance-pop production and layered vocals.[4]
Further iterations of the song would circulate online, including a version with a session/reference vocalist and another unfinished version featuring Scherzinger's vocals.[1][6] On January 13, 2011, Popjustice attempted to clear up the development of the song, noting that it started off as a song by Timbaland and Keri Hilson called "Hold Your Breath". It was not known at this stage if the song was a demo or simply rejected by the aforementioned artists, but Popjustice noted that a whole new song was written around the refrain, which was sung by an unknown artist and was the version first leaked on January 6. A subsequent version featuring Scherzinger's vocals was leaked on January 12, 2011, however, it was noted that Popjustice had been given the official/final version of the song which had a different production to the leak with Scherzinger's vocals.[7]
Recording and production edit
"Don't Hold Your Breath" was written by songwriters Josh Alexander, Toby Gad, and Billy Steinberg.[1] At the time of its announcement, the song was incorrectly reported to be produced by American DJ and producer Dave Audé;[1] Swedish trio Carl Falk, Rami (also known as Rami Yacoub), and Steve Josefsson (better known as Steve Angello and as a member of Swedish House Mafia) produced the song at Kinglet Studio in Stockholm, Sweden and, the Record Plant in Los Angeles California. Scherzinger's vocals were produced by Alexander and Steinberg at the Record Plant, while strings were arranged, recorded and edited by Mattias Bylund at Studio Elevator in Gothenburg, Sweden.[8] David Bukovinszky played cello and Mattias Johansson played violin for the song.[8] Popjustice noted that the final mastered version of "Don't Hold Your Breath" only exhibited minor differences to the demo version which circulated ahead of the song's release. The blog noted removal of the "filtery beat noise" and a reduced volume for the "breathy bits" post-chorus.[1] Editing was conducted by Chris Garcia, while renowned audio mixing engineer Mark "Spike" Stent mixed the song at the MixSuite (EastWest Studios) in Los Angeles.[8]
Music and lyrics edit
Musically, "Don't Hold Your Breath" is a pop and synth-pop song with electropop beats,[1][9] and stylistic influences from Eurodance.[10] Bradley Stern from MTV Buzzworthy commented that the synth-pop production was typically Swedish, while Stereoboard noted that the song's electro-pop beat was distinctive.[9][11] "Don't Hold Your Breath" was described by a reviewer for 4Music as a "sort-of-balled-but-not-really", but was not indicative of the rest of the album that was full of "fast 'n' furious club-friendly thumpers" and "proper belters".[12] This sentiment was echoed by The Guardian's Michael Cragg who called the song a "don't-darken-my-door-again" anthem.[13] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy noted that "Don't Hold Your Breath" and "Poison" were "distinctly more pop [and] Eurodance" than Scherzinger's previous releases.[14] According to Musicnotes.com, "Don't Hold Your Breath" consists of an up-tempo common time signature of 112 beats per minute. It uses a simple three-note chord progression of D♭–Fm–E♭.[15]
In a later review of the song, after its release, Copsey compared the song to Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" (1978), noting that "Don't Hold Your Breath" was sung with similar conviction, over a finger-snapping chorus.[10] It was not the first time that Scherzinger had a connection to "I Will Survive"; the Pussycat Dolls' last single prior to splitting up in 2009, "Hush Hush; Hush Hush", was remixed to feature a sample of "I Will Survive".[16] Rap-Up described the song as "empowering", saying that in the lyrics, Scherzinger "staves off an ex's advances", and noting that it was her declaration of independence. Lyrics include the lines "You can't touch me now, there's no feeling left/ If you think I'm comin' back, don't hold your breath/ What you did to me, boy I can't forget".[17]
Release and promotion edit
"Don't Hold Your Breath" officially premiered online on January 14, 2011.[17] Ten days later, the official cover art debuted online too. It features a stylised image of Scherzinger "forward-facing" but off-centre. Pressparty noted that the artwork had an "ethereal appeal" with a prominent blue color palette.[18] Popjustice praised the choice of the color blue, adding that the image demonstrated a hint of personality: "Not a bad thing if you happen to be a popstar."[19] It was playlisted by BBC Radio 1 on February 16, 2011, and was released commercially from March 10, 2011.[20][2] In the United States, a remix of the song "Right There" featuring 50 Cent was released as the first single from Killer Love on May 17, 2011.[21] "Don't Hold Your Breath" followed as the second American single on August 16, 2011.[22][23] It was serviced to US contemporary hit radio stations on September 20, 2011.[24]
Scherzinger performed "Don't Hold Your Breath" live for the first time on Dancing on Ice on March 7, 2011, and two days later on Loose Women.[25][26] On March 20, she performed a medley of "When I Grow Up" and "Don't Hold Your Breath" on the French version of Dancing with the Stars.[27] On May 14 2011, Scherzinger appeared at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, performing "Poison" and "Don't Hold Your Breath" while wearing a leather trenchcoat later revealing a neon bodysuit.[28] On June 11, the singer appeared at Capital FM's Summertime Ball to perform "Don't Hold Your Breath" along with "Right There" and "Poison".[29] She furthered performed the song in the US on July 13, for AMP Radio's Topless Summer Switch Party at Universal CityWalk.[30] On August 18, Scherzinger performed "Don't Hold Your Breath" on Live! with Regis and Kelly.[23] In September 2011, the singer appeared at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, performing "Don't Hold Your Breath" and "Club Banger Nation".[31] On October 12, she performed the song on Good Morning America, as part of its Fall Concert Series.[32] On November 11, Scherzinger performed "Don't Hold Your Breath" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno with backing from a full band.[33] "Don't Hold Your Breath" was performed as encore for Scherzinger's first solo tour the Killer Love Tour (2012), in support of the 2011 album of the same name.[34]
Critical reception edit
A reviewer for Popjustice commended Scherzinger for "recording a song that is also basically brilliant", contrasting this against her prior single "Poison". Describing the only "minor quibble" as being the "absence of Nicole letting rip with an earsplitting 'Don't Hold Your Breath!' prior to the track crashing into its final victory lap", the reviewer concluded that the song was "infectiously brilliant", feeling that it made them as excited for Killer Love as "Hold It Against Me" had made them for Britney Spears' then upcoming album Femme Fatale (2011).[1] Idolator's Robbie Daw compared the various demo versions of "Don't Hold You Breath" that had been available online, and concluded that despite not knowing what the officially released version of the song would sound like, "this song already sounds better than every Pussycat Dolls single combined".[6] Copsey commended the song's conviction, saying "consider us told".[10] Stern called the song a "half scathing kiss-off, half asthmatic anthem" and said that he hoped "American audiences should latch onto her follow-up just as quickly as British listeners did across the pond. Just don't forget to exhale!"[9] Years after the song's release, when reviewing another Scherzinger single "On the Rocks" (2014), Helen Ho of Renowned for Sound opined that both "Poison" and "Don't Hold Your Breath" were "upbeat hits".[35] The New Zealand Herald's Kirstin MacFarlane called "Don't Hold Your Breath" one of Killer Love's more enjoyable tracks.[36]
Writing for Stereoboard, Kiran Johal gave the song a negative review, saying that although showing a different side to Scherzinger, it gave fans very little insight into what to expect from Killer Love. Johal also felt that the song might struggle given that the version by Timbaland and Hilson was in the public domain. Johal also felt that the song was more album material rather than "the right level for a second single" and would not reach number one in the charts.[11] Johal would be proven wrong as "Don't Hold Your Breath" would go on to top the UK Singles Chart.[37]
Accolades edit
In July 2013, The Huffington Post ranked "Don't Hold Your Breath" at number 23 on its list of the 'Top 50 Number Ones of the Last Ten Years' list.[38] Cosmopolitan listed the song at number nine on the magazine's 'Best Breakup Songs' list. The article also included "I Don't Need a Man" (2006) at number two, which Scherzinger wrote and sang with the Pussycat Dolls.[39]
Commercial performance edit
"Don't Hold Your Breath" debuted and peaked at number four on the Irish Singles Chart on March 18, 2011.[40] Two days later, it debuted atop the UK Singles Chart with first-week sales of 98,000 copies, becoming Scherzinger's first number-one as a solo artist; the singer had previously topped the charts as a member of the Pussycat Dolls with "Don't Cha" and "Stickwitu" in 2005.[41] At the time of reaching number one, "Don't Hold Your Breath" knocked Adele's "Someone Like You" off the top spot.[37] This feat received coverage from NME and BBC News, but was short-lived as "Someone Like You" would return to the top spot the following week.[37][42][43] "Don't Hold Your Breath" would later be certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), denoting sales and streams of 600,000 in the UK.[44] By March 2021, it had sold over 621,000 copies and been streamed over 14 million times in the UK.[37] "Don't Hold Your Breath" also peaked at number one on the Scottish Singles Chart and performed moderately elsewhere in Europe, peaking at number 44 in the Netherlands, number 45 in France, and number 62 in Switzerland.[45][46][47]
Outside of Europe, "Don't Hold Your Breath" reached number 21 in New Zealand.[48] In Australia, the song debuted at number 27, becoming Scherzinger's second single to enter the charts since "Baby Love" (2007).[49] "Don't Hold Your Breath" peaked at number 17 and was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for selling over 140,000 copies in Australia.[50] Following its release in the United States, the song entered and peaked at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[51] On the Hot Digital Songs chart, the song entered at number 61, selling 26,000 copies in its opening week.[52] On the US Hot Dance Club Play chart "Don't Hold Your Breath" fared better, peaking at number two, being held off of the top spot by Scherzinger's former bandmate Jessica Sutta's "Show Me".[53]
Music video edit
On January 18, 2011, Scherzinger booked Rich Lee to direct the music video for "Don't Hold Your Breath".[54] The finished clip premiered through Scherzinger's official Vevo account, on February 8, 2011.[55] According to Daw, the theme of the video was to show drama and anger.[56]
Synopsis edit
The music video begins with Scherzinger sitting in the back of a London hackney carriage. As the rain pours outside and raindrops cover the windows, she sings the first verse while changing her smart clothes for more casual ones. The singer stares longingly out of the carriage's window, watching the rain outside. During the refrain, there are two main scenes. In the first, Scherzinger is seen wrapped in a blanket, while in the second she walks across the room of an old house, in need of renovation. The lighting is cold and dim, and most of the furniture is covered in plastic wrap. Scherzinger stares resentfully at her surroundings while crossing the room. In the second verse, the signer stands in front of a mirror in the bathroom of the house, where she has a moment of realisation. After turning the taps on for a while, the sink overflows as she scornfully looks in the mirror, relating to the lyrics of the song. She is then seen walking toward the camera, through a hallway of the house. It is a confident independent walk towards the audience with lights flashing rhythmically behind her. The bridge sees the singer sitting in one the house's empty rooms, in an old armchair, and intersects some of the earlier carriage and bathroom scenes. As she sings the lyric: 'The screen fades to black', the blanket seen earlier on falls in front of the camera, revealing a close-up shot of Scherzinger's face. Her hair flows in the wind and she finally gets up from the armchair to stand in front of the room's open windows. In the final scene, the singer stands confidently in front of the window as wind and light flood the room. She sings the final verse of the song, looking directly at the camera and smiling for the first time in the video.
Reception edit
Despite Daw loving the song, he had little to say about the music video, "overall, cheap-ass video, but great pop song. Two kitty paws up, Nicole."[56] Meanwhile, Devin of Rap-Up called Scherzinger's character, in the video, a "sexy siren".[57] A reviewer from sugarscape.com said the video for "Don't Hold Your Breath" was similar to that for Cheryl Cole's "The Flood" (2011), as both were "dark and weepy". Moreover, the reviewer "praised the warm fuzzy" blanket scene, the "being stroppy around the house", and the "sexy tantrum" at the end of the video.[58] MTV reported that "Don't Hold Your Breath" was one of the most watched music videos on its website in 2011.[59]
Track listings edit
| Digital single[22]
UK digital single[60]
Digital single (acoustic version)[61]
Digital remix EP1[62]
| Digital remix EP2[63]
Digital EP – The Remixes[64]
|
Credits and personnel edit
Credits are adapted from the album booklet and liner notes.[8]
Recording and mixing
- Music recorded at Kinglet Studio in Stockholm, Sweden
- Strings recorded and edited at Studio Elevator Nobody in Gothenburg, Sweden
- Music and vocals recorded at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, California
- Mixed at the Mixsuite (EastWest Studios) in Los Angeles, California
Personnel
- Josh Alexander – vocal producer
- David Bukovinszky – cello
- Mattias Bylund – arranger (strings), recording engineer (strings), editor (strings)
- Carl Falk – producer
- Chris Garcia – digital editor
- Mattias Johansson – violin
- Steve Josefsson[a] – producer
- Rami[b] – producer
- Nicole Scherzinger – lead vocals
- Billy Steinberg – vocal producer
- Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
| Year-end charts edit
|
Certifications edit
Release history edit
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | March 10, 2011 | Universal Music | [60] | |
| March 11, 2011 | [62] | |||
| Portugal | March 13, 2011 | [87] | ||
| Singapore | [88] | |||
| United Kingdom | Polydor Records | [89][90] | ||
| Europe | March 2011[d] | Universal Music | [91] | |
| New Zealand | April 11, 2011 | [92] | ||
| Australia | June 3, 2011 | [93] | ||
| Germany | [94] | |||
| North America | August 16, 2011 |
| Interscope Records | [22] |
| United States | September 20, 2011 | Contemporary hit radio | [24] |
See also edit
Notes edit
- ^ Steve Josefsson is better know by his professional moniker Steve Angello
- ^ Rami is better known by his professional moniker Rami Yacoub
- ^ According to the Official Charts Company, as of March 2021, "Don't Hold Your Breath" had amassed chart sales of 621,000 and been streamed over 14 million times.[37]
- ^ "Don't Hold Your Breath" was released in France and Sweden on March 14, Luxembourg on March 21, Spain on March 23, Norway on March 24, and in Italy and the Netherlands on March 25.[91]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g . Popjustice. January 13, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b . Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7digital.
- ^ a b Copsey, Robert (January 6, 2011). "Scherzinger's new single leaks online". Digital Spy. from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b "Don't Hold Your Breath: The Nicole Scherzinger Single, The Keri Hilson Demo". Muumuse. January 8, 2011. from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Savage, Mark (August 9, 2010). "Talking Shop: RedOne – As producer and co-writer for Lady Gaga, RedOne is responsible for some of the most ubiquitous radio hits of the last 18 months". BBC News. from the original on August 12, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Daw, Robboe (January 13, 2011). "Listen To Some Version Or Other Of Nicole Scherzinger's 'Don't Hold Your Breath'". Idolator. from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ . Popjustice. January 13, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Killer Love (Booklet). Nicole Scherzinger. Santa Monica, CA: Polydor, Interscope Records (Cat no. 0602527665153). 2011.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c Stern, Bradley (August 23, 2011). . Buzzworthy. Archived from the original on November 30, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c Copsey, Robert (March 11, 2011). "Nicole Scherzinger: 'Don't Hold Your Breath'". Digital Spy. from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Johal, Kiran (February 25, 2022). "Nicole Scherzinger – 'Don't Hold Your Breath' (Single Review)". Stereoboard.com. from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ . 4 Music. March 16, 2011. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Cragg, Michael (March 20, 2011). "Nicole Scherzinger – Killer Love review". The Guardian. London, UK. from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Copsey, Robert (March 21, 2011). "Nicole Scherzinger: 'Killer Love'". Digital Spy. from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Barman, Josh Alexander; Steinberg, Billy; Gad, Toby (2011). "Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breath (Sheet Music)". Musicnotes.com (Hal Leonard Corporation). MSC0176880. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
- ^ Balls, David (July 6, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls: 'Hush Hush; Hush Hush'". Digital Spy. from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Devin (January 14, 2011). . Rap-Up. Archived from the original on January 17, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger premieres second single's artwork". Pressparty. January 25, 2011. from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "We approve of the new Nicole Scherzinger single artwork". Popjustice. January 24, 2011. from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ . BBC Radio 1. February 16, 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
- ^ Devin (May 6, 2011). "Nicole Scherzinger Is Drop-Dead Gorgeous". Rap-Up. from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c Release dates for North America:
- Canada – . Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Canada).
- United States – . Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (US).
- ^ a b "Nicole Scherzinger Performs 'Don't Hold Your Breath' on 'Regis' [Video]". Rap-Up. March 18, 2011. from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ a b . All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- ^ Daw, Robbie (March 7, 2011). "Nicole Scherzinger Chills Out on Dancing On Ice, Performs 'Don't Hold Your Breath'". Idolator. from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ Daw, Robbie (March 9, 2011). "Nicole Scherzinger Performs "Don't Hold Your Breath" For A Bunch Of 'Loose Women'". Idolator. from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ "Video: Nicole Scherzinger Performs on 'Danse Avec Les Stars'". Rap-Up. March 20, 2011. from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger, Black Eyed Peas, & Jessie J Kick Off Radio 1's Big Weekend". Rap-Up. May 14, 2011. from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ "Nicole: 'Performing is my drug'". Capital FM. from the original on January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger Gets AMP'd at Universal CityWalk". Rap-Up. July 13, 2011. from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger Sizzles in Sin City at iHeartRadio Festival". Rap-Up. September 25, 2011. from the original on January 4, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger Performs on 'GMA' [Video]". Rap-Up. October 12, 2011. from the original on December 15, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger Lights Up 'Leno' [Video]". Rap-Up. November 11, 2011. from the original on December 16, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ Heaney, Stacey (February 16, 2012). . Ulster Star. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
- ^ Ho, Helen (October 2011). "Single Review: Nicole Scherzinger – 'On The Rocks'". Renowned for Sound. from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Macfarlane, Kirstin (September 21, 2011). "Album Review: Nicole Scherzinger, Killer Love". The New Zealand Herald. Auckland, New Zealand: NZME. from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Griffiths, George (March 25, 2021). "UK Number 1 this week in 2011: Nicole Scherzinger's Don't Hold Your Breath was a hard-fought solo chart-topper". Official Charts Company. from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Bagwell, Matt (July 19, 2013). "Top 50 UK No.1 Singles of the Last Decade (video)". The Huffington Post. from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ^ "Love & Relationships/15 Songs That Will Help You Get Over A Breakup Fast". Cosmopolitan. from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don't Hold Your Breath". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ . Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ Fullerton, Jamie (March 11, 2011). "Vaccines score Number Four album as Nicole Scherzinger ends Adele's singles reign". NME. from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger ends Adele's chart reign". BBC News. March 11, 2011. from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breathe". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ a b "Nederlandse Top 40 – Nicole Scherzinger" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
- ^ a b "Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breath" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
- ^ a b "Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breath". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
- ^ a b "Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breath". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Issue 1103 – Week Commencing April 18, 2011" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ Trust, Gary (August 28, 2011). "Lil Wayne Logs Hot 100's Biggest Bow, Katy Perry Still No. 1". Billboard. from the original on November 21, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ "The Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Vol. 123, no. 31. Nielsen Business Media. September 3, 2011. p. 42. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ Benjamin, Jeff (November 9, 2011). "'Show Me' the No. 1: Former Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta Tops Dance Chart". Billboard. from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ Gottlieb, Steven (January 18, 2011). "Booked: Nicole Scherzinger – Rich Lee, dir". VideoStatic. from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breath Official Music Video". from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2011 – via YouTube / Vevo.
- ^ a b Daw, Robbie (February 10, 2011). "Nicole Scherzinger Gives Good Angst in the 'Don't Hold Your Breath' Video". Idolator. from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ^ "Video – Nicole Scherzinger 'Don't Hold Your Breath'". Rap-Up. February 10, 2011. from the original on February 14, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger's Don't Hold Your Breath Video Is Here". sugarscape.com. February 12, 2011. from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "MTV's 100 Most Watched Videos of 2011". MTV. from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
- ^ a b . Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Ireland).
- ^ "Don't Hold Your Breath (Live Engine Room Acoustic Session, 2011) by Nicole Scherzinger". 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Tidal.
- ^ a b . Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Ireland).
- ^ "Don't Hold Your Breath by Nicole Scherzinger – France Remixes". Retrieved June 16, 2011 – via iTunes France.
- ^ "Don't Hold Your Breath by Nicole Scherzinger – The Remixes". Retrieved June 16, 2011 – via iTunes US.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breath". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
- ^ . April 25, 2011. Archived from the original on April 25, 2011.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breath" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breath" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger – Don't Hold Your Breath" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
- ^ Nicole Scherzinger — Don't Hold Your Breath. TopHit. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "ARC, Issue Date: April 25th 2011" (in Croatian). HRT. April 25, 2011. from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201127 into search. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ^ "Euro Digital Songs: April 02, 2011". Billboard. from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
- ^ "Romanian Top 100". RT100.RO. from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201115 into search. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
- ^ "Nicole Scherzinger Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
- ^ . Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
- ^ . Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 27, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- ^ "The Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles of the Year". Official Charts. from the original on January 17, 2012.
- ^ "Best of 2011: Dance/Club Songs (41–50)". Billboard. from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
- ^ (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Portugal).
- ^ . Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Singapore).
- ^ . Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (UK).
- ^ "Don't Hold Your Breath (UK Remixes) by Nicole Scherzinger". Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (UK).
- ^ a b Release dates for France, Sweden, Luxembourg, Spain, Norway, Italy and the Netherlands:
- France – (in French). Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (France).
- Sweden – (in Swedish). Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Sweden).
- Luxembourg – "Don't Hold Your Breath by Nicole Scherzinger" (in French). Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Luxembourg).
- Spain – "Don't Hold Your Breath by Nicole Scherzinger" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Spain).
- Norway – (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Norway).
- Italy – "Don't Hold Your Breath by Nicole Scherzinger" (in Italian). Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Italy).
- Netherlands – (in Dutch). Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Netherlands).
- ^ . Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (New Zealand).
- ^ "Don't Hold Your Breath by Nicole Scherzinger". Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Australia).
- ^ (in German). Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2013 – via 7Digital (Germany).