Breathe

Country has long been one of America’s most widely heard forms of adult music. Female singers—from Dolly Parton to the later crossover stars—have drawn especially strong support, and Faith Hill became one of its great popular figures. Her assured voice and glamorous presence placed her alongside Shania Twain at the centre of a new generation.

Born in Mississippi, Hill began her career after moving to Nashville. Her 1993 debut single ‘Wild One’ reached the top of the country chart, and this 1999 album became her largest breakthrough, crossing over to the broader pop audience as well as winning a country-album Grammy.

The title song and ‘Let’s Make Love’, her carefully shaped duet with Tim McGraw, explain much of its appeal. Steel guitar and other recognisably country sounds remain, but they are set within polished arrangements with abundant pop sophistication. The result is exceptionally strong contemporary country-pop.