Be the First to Believe cover

Be the First to Believe

a1 · 1999

12 min · 3 tracks · popular music

A vibrant blend of upbeat pop melodies and catchy hooks that encapsulate late '90s Euro-pop energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Be the First to Believe — The title track features an infectious chorus and vibrant production that perfectly represents a1's energetic pop style and served as their breakout hit.
  • →
    Miracle — This track showcases a slightly more emotional side of a1 while maintaining their catchy pop sound, highlighting their versatility early in their career.
  • →
    Be the First to Believe (Phats & Small Mutant disco mix) — The remix adds a danceable club vibe that broadens the original's appeal, capturing the spirit of late '90s dance music trends.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

49 /100
Lowland
Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

A polished, hook-forward debut single, but the package’s separate B-side and dance remix make it feel more like a release bundle than a unified work.

What we noticed

  • The title track builds from a brisk pop backing into a chorus led by layered group vocals, then returns to that chorus as its main payoff.
  • The three-track set pairs the original with the separate song “Miracle,” then closes with a Phats & Small remix that recasts the title track for the dancefloor.
Composition 25% of the score
5/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
4/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Be the First to Believe

    The song shifts from hopeful verses to an exuberant chorus emphasizes optimism and belief in love.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Be the First to Believe 3:21
  • 2 Miracle 3:09
  • 3 Be the First to Believe (Phats & Small Mutant disco mix) 5:59

What to play next

Here We Come
Listen next

Here We Come

1999
Full a1 discography Where to start with a1 Artists like a1 Which a1 albums to start with
popular music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata