I Believe in You (Kylie Minogue song)

"I Believe in You" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her second major greatest hits album, Ultimate Kylie (2004). It was released as the lead single from the compilation on 29 November 2004, by Parlophone. It was written by Minogue alongside its producers Jake Shears and Babydaddy. "I Believe in You" is a pop and Euro disco song in which Minogue proclaims there are many things in which she does not believe, but that she does believe in her lover.

"I Believe in You" received positive reviews from music critics. Commercially the song was also successful, reaching number one in Romania, number two in the United Kingdom and number six in Australia. The song became a dance hit in the United States, peaking at number three on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart and number four on the Billboard Dance Radio Airplay chart. It earned a nomination for a 2006 Grammy Award in the Best Dance Recording category.

Background

In August 2004, it was announced that Minogue would be recording new tracks, rumored to be some kind of Christmas material. The month after, it was announced that the artist would be releasing a greatest hits album, titled Ultimate Kylie, containing two new tracks, being "I Believe in You" and "Giving You Up"; Jake Shears and Babydaddy were in charge of the production of the former, whilst the latter was produced by Brian Higgins and Xenomania. A separate compilation DVD with the same name, containing several music videos by the singer, was also released to coincide with the distribution of the album. In the same statement, it was announced that "I Believe in You" would be the lead single from the compilation.

Composition

"I Believe in You" is a pop and Euro disco song, the song takes its inspiration from disco and 80s new wave electropop music, and has been described as similar to 80s-era New Order.

The song opens with a keyboard playing the choral melody. This melody is maintained throughout the song, except for occasional pauses for Minogue's verses. As the song continues, drums and synth strings are added into the background, which continue through the whole song. The refrain features Minogue singing a high octave chorus with strings and a thumping beat in the background.

Critical response

"I Believe in You" received a positive response from many music critics. A review by Mark Edwards from Stylus Magazine called the song "a masterpiece" and "a fabulous return to form" from her previous album, Body Language, which was not well reviewed by some music critics. Joey Rivaldo, in a review for About.com, said the song was "perfect for radio" and praised it for its "nice laid back pop sound." Rivaldo also said that "although it has taken a while for many to catch on to this tune, looking back, many say it was well worth the wait." In his review, Rivaldo gave the song three out of five stars. In another review for About.com, Jason Shawahn called the song "one of the finest eurodisco confections to come down the pike since the glory days". Virgin.net called the song a "rather demure and stylish collaboration" with Jake Shears and Babbydaddy, and said that "while it may all lack any really enticing hooks (or particularly interesting lyrics), it's still quite an enchanting record" due to its "pulsing analogue bassline and kick drum combo." providing her with an ARIA Award nomination for the eighth consecutive year. The song was also nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award in the "Best Dance Recording" category, providing Minogue with a Grammy nomination in that category for the fourth consecutive year.

Chart performance

"I Believe in You" debuted on radio on 14 October 2004, and was released on 6 December 2004 in the United Kingdom and debuted and peaked at number two on the UK singles chart. It remained in the top ten for four consecutive weeks and spent 13 weeks on the chart in total. As March 2014, it sold 150,000 copies in the UK. In most European countries, the song was a top ten hit on both the singles and airplay charts, reaching number one in Romania, number two in Denmark and Scotland, number four in Austria, number five in Hungary, Iceland, and Spain, number six in Switzerland, number nine in Ireland, and number ten in the Netherlands. It additionally reached the top twenty in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. In France, the song made a relatively low chart showing, peaking at number 35, which was mainly due to the fact that the single was not made commercially available until the following year, and could only be purchased as an import single at the time of its commercial release.

In the United States, the single did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but did peak at number three on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and number four on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart. The single returned Minogue to popularity in the American dance market (her last single, "Chocolate", did not chart on any Billboard issues). However, the song did not gain popularity outside of the dance music market. In New Zealand, it debuted at number 38, then after two weeks, it peaked at number 29, but dropped out after five weeks.

Music video

Background and synopsis

The accompanying music video for "I Believe in You" was directed by Vernie Yeung and choreographed by Rafael Bonachela. The video progresses to Minogue dancing before a psychedelic flash of swirling colours, before resolving to a black background lit up by a troupe of dancers wearing "glow effects". As the video concludes, these four sequences are then intercut amongst each other until they gradually fade out.

Costumes for the video were designed by Dolce & Gabbana, and consisted of a series of dresses which Minogue described as "floaty",

Release and reception

The complete version of "I Believe in You" featured in the music video has been released commercially through CD singles and digital downloads, and some include remixes by Mylo and Skylark. The video was released commercially on the Ultimate Kylie companion DVD, released in December 2004.

Remixes

Three official remixes were commissioned to promote the song. Mylo created two remixes, the Mylo Vocal and the Mylo Dub, which use the song's original vocals over a new bassline constructed with synthesizers and some electric guitar. The remixes received positive reviews from music critics. About.com stated that the remix provides the song with an "electro trip", commenting that it is "the perfect mix for all the Mixshow DJs out there." Originally recorded during the Body Language album sessions in 2003, the song was not released until the release of Ultimate Kylie a year later. "B.P.M." was one of the many songs that were considered to be added to the album as a new track, but was released as a B-side to "I Believe in You" instead.

Live performances

thumb|upright|Minogue performing the song on her [[Aphrodite: Les Folies Tour (2011).]]

In order to promote Ultimate Kylie and the single, Minogue performed "I Believe in You" in shows such as Quelli che... il calcio, Top of the Pops, Nordic Music Awards, Top of the Pops Saturday, Premios Ondas, Star Academy, Hit Machine, Today with Des and Mel, and Wetten, dass..?.

The song was included on the 2005 Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour. Minogue was unable to complete the tour as she was diagnosed with early breast cancer and had to cancel the Australian leg of the tour. After undergoing treatment and recovery, she resumed the concert tour in the form of Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour in 2006, and "I Believe in You" was again added to the set list.

She performed a ballad version, described as orchestral, of the song on her KylieX2008 and was described as a blue train by newspapers. This song was performed as part of all four set orders in the act entitled "Starry Nights" (or "Beach Party" in the case of one leg). She performed the same version on her For You, for Me tour in 2009 in the fifth act, following performances of "White Diamond" and "Confide in Me". Minogue performed the song again in 2011 on her Aphrodite: Les Folies Tour, where there is slight remixing. It was performed in the second act following a performance of "Illusion". She is pulled round the stage on a chariot by her male dancers who are dressed to resemble horses. She most recently performed the song on her Golden Tour, replacing "Breathe".

Minogue also performed the song as a ballad on Star Academy with Quentin Mosimann, and The Kylie Show TV special. In 2012, she performed The Abbey Road Sessions version of the song on BBC Proms in the Park. She performed the song at Royal Windsor Horse Show in the grounds of Windsor Castle, during a special event celebrating the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II in 2016.

Formats and track listings

Australian and New Zealand CD maxi-single

"I Believe in You" (original version) – 3:22
"B.P.M." – 4:05
"I Believe in You" (Mylo vocal mix) – 6:03
"I Believe in You" (Skylark mix) – 7:57
"I Believe in You" (video)

UK and European CD single

"I Believe in You" (original version) – 3:21
"B.P.M."  – 4:04

UK and European CD maxi-single

"I Believe in You" (original version) – 3:21
"I Believe in You" (Mylo vocal mix) – 6:02
"I Believe in You" (Skylark mix) – 7:56
"I Believe in You" (video)

UK and European 12-inch picture disc

:A1. "I Believe in You" (original version) – 3:21

:B1. "I Believe in You" (Mylo dub) – 6:10

:B2. "I Believe in You" (Skylark mix) – 7:56

Digital EP

"I Believe in You" – 3:21
"I Believe in You (Mylo vocal) – 3:23
"I Believe in You (Skylark mix) – 7:57
"B.P.M." – 4:05

Personnel

Personnel are lifted from the Ultimate Kylie liner notes.

!scope="row"|Greece (IFPI)

!scope="row"|Iceland (Tónlist)

!scope="row"|Paraguay (Notimex)

!scope="row"|Romania (Romanian Top 100)

Year-end charts

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+2004 year-end chart performance for "I Believe in You"

!scope="col"|Chart (2004)

!scope="col"|Position

!scope="row"|Australian Dance (ARIA)

|18

!scope="row"|CIS Airplay (TopHit)

|122

!scope="row"|Russia Airplay (TopHit)

|68

!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)

|63

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+2005 year-end chart performance for "I Believe in You"

!scope="col"|Chart (2005)

!scope="col"|Position

!scope="row"|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)

|59

!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)

| 34

!scope="row"|Germany (Media Control GfK)

|75

!scope="row"|Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)

|85

!scope="row"|Italy (FIMI)

|68

!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)

|93

!scope="row"|Romania (Romanian Top 100)

!scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)

|61

!scope="row"|US Hot Dance Airplay (Billboard)

|13

Certifications and sales

Release history

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ Release dates and formats for "I Believe in You"

! scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"|

! scope="row"| Australia

| 29 November 2004

| rowspan="2"| CD

| Festival Mushroom

! scope="row"| Germany

| rowspan="2"| 6 December 2004

| rowspan="2"| Parlophone

! scope="row"| United Kingdom

In popular culture

In 2014, the version of "I Believe in You" from Minogue's album The Abbey Road Sessions was used in a television advertisement for the British building society Nationwide.