Begin to Hope

Begin to Hope
Begin to Hope
Studio album by Regina Spektor
Released	June 13, 2006
Recorded	Summer 2005
Studio	SeeSquaredStudio and New York Noise Studios, NYC
Genre	Anti-folk; indie pop; chamber pop;
Length	47:15
Label	Sire 9362-44112-2
Producer	David Kahne, Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor chronology
Singles from Begin to Hope
	"On the Radio"; Released: May 30, 2006; "Fidelity"; Released: September 25, 2006; "Better"; Released: July 2007; "Summer in the City"; Released: December 2007;

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	80/100^[1]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[2]
The A.V. Club	A−^[3]
Entertainment Weekly	B+^[4]
The Guardian	^[5]
Mojo	^[6]
NME	8/10^[7]
Pitchfork	7.5/10^[8]
Rolling Stone	^[9]
Spin	^[10]
Uncut	^[11]

Begin to Hope is the fourth album by Russian-born American singer-songwriter Regina Spektor.^[12] It was released June 13, 2006. The album debuted at number 70 on the Billboard 200, but due to the popularity of the single "Fidelity", it peaked at number 20^[13] and was labeled a "pace setter" by Billboard. Rolling Stone named it the 21st-best album of 2006.^[14] The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for shipments to U.S. retailers of 1,000,000 units.^[15]

The album was nominated for the 2006 Shortlist Music Prize.^[16]

Peter Gabriel recorded a cover of "Après Moi" on his orchestral album Scratch My Back, released in 2010.

Track listing

All songs written by Regina Spektor.

Standard Edition
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Fidelity"	3:47
2.	"Better"	3:22
3.	"Samson"	3:10
4.	"On the Radio"	3:22
5.	"Field Below"	5:18
6.	"Hotel Song"	3:29
7.	"Après Moi"	5:08
8.	"20 Years of Snow"	3:31
9.	"That Time"	2:39
10.	"Edit"	4:53
11.	"Lady"	4:45
12.	"Summer in the City"	3:50
Total length:		47:15

Deluxe Edition bonus disc
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Another Town"	4:07
2.	"Uh-Merica"	3:16
3.	"Baobabs"	2:02
4.	"Düsseldorf"	3:09
5.	"Music Box"	2:11

iTunes Store/Amazon MP3 bonus tracks
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Hero"	3:44
2.	"Bartender"	3:12

Vinyl edition disc 2, side A
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Another Town"	4:10
2.	"Uh-Merica"	3:19
3.	"Baobabs"	2:04
4.	"Düsseldorf"	3:12
5.	"Music Box"	2:07

Vinyl edition disc 2, side B
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Better (Piano and Voice)"	3:09
2.	"Better (Radio Recut)"	3:12
3.	"Hero"	3:45
4.	"Bartender"	3:12

Vinyl 10th Anniversary edition disc 2, side B Bonus Track
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Baby Jesus"	2:43

Personnel

Regina Spektor – piano, vocals, guitar, percussion
Nick Valensi – guitar on "Better"
David Kahne – bass on "Better"
Zhao Gang – erhu on "Field Below"
Ralph U. Williams – saxophone on "Lady"
Shawn Pelton – drums on "Fidelity", "Better", "On the Radio", "Hotel Song", "Après Moi" & "That Time"
Rachel Beth Egenhoefer – album design
David Kahne – mainstream pop producer^[17]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2006–07)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[18]	29
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)^[19]	72
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[20]	40
Irish Albums (IRMA)^[21]	18
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[22]	10
Scottish Albums (OCC)^[23]	63
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[24]	18
UK Albums (OCC)^[25]	53
US Billboard 200^[13]	20

Chart (2025)	Peak position
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ)^[26]	28

Year-end charts

Chart (2007)	Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[27]	100
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[28]	58
US Billboard 200^[29]	154

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[30]	Gold	35,000^{^}
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[31]	Gold	7,500^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[32]	Gold	100,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[15]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡ / 600,000^[33]
Summaries
Worldwide	—	1,000,000^[34]
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Single success

In 2006, Regina Spektor's first single, "Fidelity", premiered on VH1. Soon after, VH1 included her among "You Oughta Know: Artists on the Rise".^[35]

Spektor performed "Fidelity" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in July 2006 and on ABC's Good Morning America in April 2007.^[36] She also performed "On The Radio" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in November 2006. She performed the song again on Late Show with David Letterman in April 2007, and on the Australian Rove McManus show in 2007.

"Better" was released to US radio in late July 2007.

Even though it was not released as a single, "Hotel Song" has reached No. 11 in the Irish music download charts and No. 16 in the Irish Top 50 Singles Chart as of May 2007.

"Samson" is a new recording of a song originally released on 2002's Songs. Gwen Stefani used the song for her Season 9 battle between Korin Bukowski and Chase Kerby on The Voice.

"Après Moi" was covered by Peter Gabriel on his 2010 album Scratch My Back.

In popular culture

The song "Better" appeared in the fourth season of the CBS TV show How I Met Your Mother in an episode titled "Happily Ever After" (2008). It was featured in the 2009 film My Sister's Keeper. A piano version of the song appeared prominently throughout the series finale of The Good Wife in 2016.
"Hotel Song" was featured in a TV commercial of mobile phone company Vodafone in Ireland, contributing to the song's popularity in the country. The song was also featured in the 2011 Jennifer Westfeldt film Friends with Kids.
"Music Box" was featured on a JCPenney commercial.
"Samson" was featured on CSI: NY in the second-season episode "All Access" (2006).
"Field Below" was on an episode of Criminal Minds.
"That Time" was featured in the 2008 Martin McDonagh film In Bruges starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.
"Hero" was featured in the film (500) Days of Summer, along with "Us" from Spektor's previous album, Soviet Kitsch.
"Fidelity" is one of the songs featured in "Elephant Love Medley", a number in Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Sales

In New Zealand, the album was certified Gold for sales of more than 7,500.
In Australia, the album was certified Gold for sales of more than 35,000.
In the United States, the album was certified Gold for shipments of over 500,000 copies.^[37] Its sales have since surpassed 600,000 according to Nielsen/Soundscan.

References

^ "Reviews for Begin To Hope by Regina Spektor". Metacritic. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
^ Phares, Heather. "Begin to Hope – Regina Spektor". AllMusic. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
^ Phipps, Keith (June 13, 2006). "Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
^ Juarez, Vanessa (June 9, 2006). "Begin to Hope". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
^ Sullivan, Caroline (June 7, 2006). "Regina Spektor, Begin to Hope". The Guardian. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
^ "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". Mojo (153): 88. August 2006.
^ "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". NME: 43. July 8, 2006.
^ Deusner, Stephen M. (June 12, 2006). "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
^ Eliscu, Jenny (June 12, 2006). "Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 13, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
^ Hermes, Will (July 2006). "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". Spin. 22 (7): 88. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
^ "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". Uncut (111): 111. August 2006.
^ Block, Melissa (June 28, 2006). "Stories in Song: Regina Spektor's 'Begin to Hope'". NPR. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
^ ^a ^b "Regina Spektor Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "The Top 50 Albums of 2006". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2006. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
^ ^a ^b "American album certifications – Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
^ "Cat Power Wins 2007 Shortlist Music Prize". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
^ Neal, Chris. "Regina Spektor [Begin To Hope]." Performing Songwriter 13.94 (2006): 32. Academic Search Complete. Web. September 26, 2016.
^ "Australiancharts.com – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "Austriancharts.at – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "Ultratop.be – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Regina Spektor". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "Charts.nz – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2025. 21. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 2007". Ultratop. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
^ "Årslista Album – År 2007" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
^ "British album certifications – Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
^ Leebove, Laura (June 6, 2009). "Bronx Tale". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^ Savage, Mark (September 21, 2016). "Regina Spektor: White lies and sad songs". BBC. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^ "New Music Artists Info on You Oughta Know, Rising New Artists, See Photos & Watch Videos Online". VH1.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
^ "The Virginian-Pilot Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. April 5, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
^ "Gold & Platinum – October 10, 2009". RIAA. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2009.

[1] "Reviews for Begin To Hope by Regina Spektor". Metacritic. Retrieved June 27, 2016.

[2] Phares, Heather. "Begin to Hope – Regina Spektor". AllMusic. Retrieved June 27, 2016.

[3] Phipps, Keith (June 13, 2006). "Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 27, 2016.

[4] Juarez, Vanessa (June 9, 2006). "Begin to Hope". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2016.

[5] Sullivan, Caroline (June 7, 2006). "Regina Spektor, Begin to Hope". The Guardian. Retrieved June 27, 2016.

[6] "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". Mojo (153): 88. August 2006.

[7] "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". NME: 43. July 8, 2006.

[8] Deusner, Stephen M. (June 12, 2006). "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 27, 2016.

[9] Eliscu, Jenny (June 12, 2006). "Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 13, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2016.

[10] Hermes, Will (July 2006). "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". Spin. 22 (7): 88. Retrieved June 27, 2016.

[11] "Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope". Uncut (111): 111. August 2006.

[12] Block, Melissa (June 28, 2006). "Stories in Song: Regina Spektor's 'Begin to Hope'". NPR. Retrieved October 10, 2009.

[BB200-13] "Regina Spektor Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[14] "The Top 50 Albums of 2006". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2006. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2009.

[RIAA-15] "American album certifications – Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 15, 2025.

[16] "Cat Power Wins 2007 Shortlist Music Prize". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 10, 2009.

[17] Neal, Chris. "Regina Spektor [Begin To Hope]." Performing Songwriter 13.94 (2006): 32. Academic Search Complete. Web. September 26, 2016.

[ac_Australia_Regina_Spektor-18] "Australiancharts.com – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[ac_Austria_Regina_Spektor-19] "Austriancharts.at – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[ac_Flanders_Regina_Spektor-20] "Ultratop.be – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[ac_Ireland2_Regina_Spektor-21] "Irish-charts.com – Discography Regina Spektor". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[ac_New_Zealand_Regina_Spektor-22] "Charts.nz – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[ac_Scotland_-23] "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[ac_Sweden_Regina_Spektor-24] "Swedishcharts.com – Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[ac_UK2_-25] "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[26] "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2025. 21. hét". MAHASZ. Retrieved May 28, 2025.

[27] "Jaaroverzichten 2007". Ultratop. Retrieved September 19, 2020.

[28] "Årslista Album – År 2007" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[29] "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2020.

[AustraliaRegina_SpektorBegin_to_hopealbumCertRef-30] "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 25, 2012.

[New_ZealandRegina_SpektorBegin_to_HopealbumCertRef-31] "New Zealand album certifications – Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.

[United_KingdomRegina_SpektorBegin_to_HopealbumCertRef-32] "British album certifications – Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 25, 2012.

[33] Leebove, Laura (June 6, 2009). "Bronx Tale". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2018.

[34] Savage, Mark (September 21, 2016). "Regina Spektor: White lies and sad songs". BBC. Retrieved December 1, 2018.

[35] "New Music Artists Info on You Oughta Know, Rising New Artists, See Photos & Watch Videos Online". VH1.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2009.

[36] "The Virginian-Pilot Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. April 5, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2009.

[37] "Gold & Platinum – October 10, 2009". RIAA. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2009.

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v t e Regina Spektor
Studio albums	11:11 (2001) Songs (2002) Soviet Kitsch (2004) Begin to Hope (2006) Far (2009) What We Saw from the Cheap Seats (2012) Remember Us to Life (2016) Home, Before and After (2022)
Live albums	Live in London
Compilation albums	Mary Ann Meets the Gravediggers and Other Short Stories
Singles	"Us" "On the Radio" "Fidelity" "Samson" "Laughing With" "Eet" "The Call" "No Surprises" "All the Rowboats" "Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)" "You've Got Time" "Dear Theodosia" "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
Related articles	Discography List of songs recorded Jack Dishel

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