I Believe (Fantasia Barrino song)

I Believe (Fantasia Barrino song)

I Believe (Fantasia Barrino song) (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

"I Believe" is the debut single released by singer and American Idol season 3 winner, Fantasia Barrino. The song significantly helped Fantasia rise to fame. The song was co-written by former American Idol contestant Tamyra Gray.

History

Fantasia sang "I Believe" on the third season finale of American Idol as her last performance within the competition. Diana DeGarmo, the runner up of American Idol Season 3, sang the song first, also on the finale, for her first performance of the night. The judges unanimously acclaimed Fantasia the winner of season 3, a prediction that came true when she was crowned American Idol the following evening. An ecstatic and tearful Fantasia performed her new single "I Believe" minutes after the announcement. DeGarmo's performance was also well received by the judges.

The song was an instant success for Fantasia when it was released on June 22, 2004. It performed well on the radio and sales charts of the United States and Canada debuting at number one in both nations. This made Fantasia the first artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to debut at number one with a first record. "I Believe" is also the winner of three Billboard Awards. "I Believe" is noted for its inspirational lyrics.

Diana Degarmo sang this song during the final 2 showdown, as well as during the finale as an encore performance.

American Idol contestants, Lakisha Jones (season 6), Syesha Mercado (season 7) and Joshua Ledet (Season 11) sang this song during the inspirational song week.

Chart performance

When the song was released it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number one. The CD was a substantial success in the U.S. and in Canada. In its debut week the single shattered the first week sales record for any single in 2004 in the U.S. "I Believe" was certified double platinum by the CRIA in Canada selling more than 80,000 units. It has sold 527,000 copies in the United States, making it one of the most successful single of 2004. "I Believe" was number one on the U.S single sales chart for eleven consecutive weeks and ten weeks in Canada, giving it the longest stay at number one on the chart by any Idol contestant. "I Believe" also spent six consecutive weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B Single Sales chart. "I Believe" hit number one on more music charts than any other Idol contestant's debut single so far.

Charts

Chart (2004)	Peak positions
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	4
Canadian Singles Chart	1
New Zealand Singles Chart	20
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	12

Awards

Billboard Awards

2004 Billboard Top Selling Single Of The Year
2004 Billboard Top Selling R&B/Hip-Hop Single Of The Year
2005 Billboard-American Urban Radio Networks Top Selling R&B/Hip-Hop Single Of The Year