The song was recorded by the
Carpenters and released as a single on October 20, 1978. While it reached number 9 on the
Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, it peaked at a disappointing #68 on the
Billboard Hot 100, owing significantly to the fact that its accompanying album was delayed indefinitely (it would be three more years until their next album was released), reportedly due to Karen's health issues, although Richard at the time was also dealing with his own addiction to quaaludes. In June 1981 the album
Made in America—which included "I Believe You"—was finally released. The potential success "I Believe You" might have had it been issued in conjunction with an LP was underscored when the album's eventual lead single, "
Touch Me When We're Dancing", became the first Carpenters hit to reach the Hot 100's Top 20 as well as number 1 on the
Billboard Adult Contemporary chart since "
There's a Kind of Hush" did the same in early 1976. ==Personnel==