Tim McGraw And Faith Hill Perform At Staples Center LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: Faith Hill performs onstage during the "Soul2Soul" World Tour at Staples Center on July 14, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
One of the biggest female country stars of the ’90s and 2000s, Faith Hill also took advantage of the inroads Shania Twain made into pop territory, becoming an enormous crossover success by the end of the millennium. Of course, Hill’s movie star good looks certainly helped her cause, and her much-celebrated marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw gave her career an extra kick of glamour and mystique. Hill may not have appealed to country purists, but she had the star power of a diva even before her pop success.
Hill released her debut album, Take Me as I Am, in late 1993, with producer Scott Hendricks at the helm. Success wasn’t long in coming; the lead single “Wild One” raced up the country charts en route to a four-week run at number one early the next year, making her the first female country singer in 30 years to top the charts for that long with her debut single. The follow-up, a countrified cover of Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart,” also hit number one, as did the album’s title track, and Take Me as I Am wound up selling over three-million copies. Hill was set to build on her success right away, but had to undergo surgery on her vocal cords, which delayed the recording of her next album. Nevertheless, the wait wasn’t unreasonable, and It Matters to Me appeared in the summer of 1995. The title track became her fourth number one country single, and it was accompanied by a string of Top Ten hits that helped push initial sales of the album past the three-million mark. Hill was by now a firmly established country hitmaker, and she continued her active touring schedule by teaming up with Tim McGraw in 1996 for the Spontaneous Combustion Tour. It was an apt name, as Hill married McGraw that October. The couple’s first child, daughter Gracie, was born in May of 1997, and not long after, their duet “It’s Your Love” -- recorded for McGraw’s Everywhere album -- was burning up the country charts, staying at number one for six weeks.
Hill returned in the spring of 1998 with Faith, which provided the first signs that she was interested in crossing over to pop audiences, even if the still-countrified music often straddled the fence instead of making her ambitions explicit. The single “This Kiss” proved the savvy of her approach; not only did it top the country charts for three weeks, but it also became her first pop hit, climbing to number seven. By the time “This Kiss” had run its course on the charts, Hill had given birth to her second daughter with McGraw, Maggie. If Hill had been a star in the country world, she was now rapidly becoming a superstar, known not just for her music but also her pure celebrity; she also signed an endorsement deal with Cover Girl makeup. Her next two singles, “Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me” (another duet with McGraw) and “Let Me Let Go,” hit number one country, though they didn’t duplicate the pop success of “This Kiss.”
Faith, released in 1998, became Hill’s biggest-selling album yet, eventually moving over six-million copies and reaching the Top Ten on the LP charts; plus, it became crystal clear that Hill held major crossover appeal. Accordingly, she re-entered the studio immediately after her supporting tour and cut Breathe, a full-fledged bid for pop and adult contemporary success. Breathe entered the charts at number one upon its release in late 1999, and its title track became Hill’s biggest hit yet; it spent six weeks on top of the country charts and was an even bigger hit on the adult contemporary charts. While it only climbed to number two pop, the single had such staying power that it wound up the biggest hit of the year 2000. The follow-ups were pretty successful in their own right: “The Way You Love Me” and “There You’ll Be” both hit the pop Top Ten, with the former topping the country charts and the latter hitting number one AC. Hill also scored a Top Ten country hit with “Let’s Make Love,” a third duet with McGraw, and the two teamed up for another tour in 2000. Breathe was a bona fide blockbuster, selling over seven-million copies in the U.S. and earning her a slew of award nominations.
Here is that famous single, “Breathe” performed by none other than, Faith Hill:
Other talented ladies who paved the way to make country music what it is today 👇
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Lee Ann Womack NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 24: Lee Ann Womack performs onstage during Skyville Live Presents a Tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis on August 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Skyville) (Rick Diamond)
Taylor Swift LAS VEGAS - MAY 14: Musician Taylor Swift performs onstage during the first ever Academy Of Country Music New Artists' Show Party for a Cause, benefiting the ACM Charitable Fund held at the MGM Grand Ballroom, MGM Grand Conference Center on May 14, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Judds 03/01/00 Tustin, California - Country Music Stars The Judds, Naomi (L) And Wynonna, Share A Hug Before Appearing At A Tustin, California K-Mart Store To Sign Autographs. K-Mart Is Corporate Sponsor Of The Popular Duo. (Photo By David Mcnew/Getty Images) (David McNew/Getty Images)
Jo Dee Messina Jo Dee Messina rehearses for the "2002 Academy of Country Music Awards" at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, Ca. on Monday, May 20, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Pam Tillis NASHVILLE, TN - JULY 13: Pam Tillis performs onstage during Skyville Live Salutes the Magic of Music City on July 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images for Skyville) (Frederick Breedon)
Emmylou Harris SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 07: American Musician, Emmylou Harris gives a sneak preview of her Sydney Festival First Night performance at a media call on January 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
The Chicks LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS) (L-R) Musicians Emily Robinson, Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire of The Chicks pose backstage at the 2006 American Music Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on November 21, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/AMA/Getty Images for AMA) (Michael Buckner/AMA)
Linda Ronstadt PASADENA, CA - AUGUST 17: Musician Linda Ronstadt accepts the Trailblazer award onstage during the 2008 ALMA Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on August 17, 2008 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Dolly Parton RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - JANUARY 24: Singer Dolly Parton Performs at Agua Caliente Casino on January 24, 2014 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images) (Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Trisha Yearwood INDIO, CA - MAY 02: Musician Trisha Yearwood performs onstage during day 1 of the 2008 Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Field on May 2, 2008 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Tanya Tucker 403701 01: Country singer Tanya Tucker poses backstage April 13, 2002 after her concert at The Orleans in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Getty Images) (Scott Harrison/Getty Images)
Martina McBride NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 12: In this handout photo provided by The Country Rising Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, singer Martina McBride performs onstage for the Country Rising Benefit Concert at Bridgestone Arena on November 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Country Rising/Getty Images) (John Shearer/Country Rising/Getty Images)
Carrie Underwood LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Carrie Underwood attends the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for dcp) (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for dcp)
LeAnn Rimes MIAMI, FL - JULY 20: LeAnn Rimes attends Luli Fama fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2015 at Cabana Grande at The Raleigh on July 20, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for Luli Fama) (Aaron Davidson)
Reba McEntire LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 07: Host Reba McEntire speaks onstage during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kitty Wells November 17, 1965 (photo by Denny Moeller Talent-management/photographer-Fabry, Nashville) (Denny Moeller Talent-management/photographer-Fabry, Nashville)
Crystal Gale NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 23: Crystal Gayle performs on August 23, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Shania Twain NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 28: Shania Twain performs during the opening ceremony on Day One of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Maren Morris LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 24: Target Brings Together Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey for a Special New Music Video for their Single The Middle to Air as a Commercial During the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Pictured: Maren Morris (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Target) (Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Target)
Jennifer Nettles NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 03: Jennifer Nettles performs at 2015 "Next Women of Country" Event at City Winery Nashville on November 3, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
Kelsea Ballerini LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Kelsea Ballerini speaks onstage during the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp)
Tammy Wynette October 18, 1975 (Photo by Hubert Long/Epic Records) (Hubert Long/Epic Records)
Miranda Lambert NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 13: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Miranda Lambert speaks in the press room of the 53rd annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Leah Puttkammer/Getty Images) (Leah Puttkammer/Getty Images)
Faith Hill LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: Faith Hill performs onstage during the "Soul2Soul" World Tour at Staples Center on July 14, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Bobbie Gentry American singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry in London, UK, May 1968. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Patty Loveless NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 25: Patty Loveless performs during The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Country Music Association Celebrate Forever Country LIVE, presented by Southwest at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on September 25, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum) (Anna Webber)
Loretta Lynn Portrait of American country music singer and guitarist Loretta Lynn as she sits outside in a chair, 1970s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Alison Krauss NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 22: Singer Alison Krauss performs onstage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Medallion Ceremony to celebrate 2017 hall of fame inductees Alan Jackson, Jerry Reed And Don Schlitz at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 22, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum) (Terry Wyatt)
Lynn Anderson American country music singer Lynn Anderson, UK, 21st March 1971. Her song '(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden' was a major pop hit in 1970 and early 1971. (Photo by Jack Kay/Daily Express/Getty Images) (Jack Kay/Getty Images)
Barbara Mandrell Barbara Mandrell received the Academy's Pioneer Award at the 36th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, Ca. 5/9/01. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Patsy Cline Patsy Cline was a celebrated country singer best known for her crossover hits, including "Crazy" and "Walking After Midnight."