LeAnn Rimes

=== 1997–2004: Pop crossover and worldwide success ===
In 1997, Rimes released a [[compilation album|compilation]] of previously recorded material under the Nor Va Jak label, ''[[Unchained Melody: The Early Years]]''. The album mainly consisted of remakes, ranging from Country to pop, including songs originally recorded by [[The Beatles]], [[Whitney Houston]], [[Bill Monroe]], and [[Dolly Parton]].<ref name="unchainedmelody">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r246952|pure_url=yes}}|title=''Unchained Melody: The Early Years''|last=F. Promis|first=Jose|website=allmusic|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> Rimes's version of the [[Unchained Melody|title track]] became a major country hit in early 1997 and helped increase sales for the album.<ref name="cmtbio" /> In June 1997, Rimes would appear on the Disney Channel for television special called ''LeAnn Rimes in Concert''.<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=LeAnn+Rimes+Disney+Channel+Concert&pg=PA6 |title = Billboard – Google Books |date = August 15, 1998 |access-date = June 7, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130621022345/http://books.google.com/books?id=EwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=LeAnn%2BRimes%2BDisney%2BChannel%2BConcert&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YiLQT-DkH83E0AGg0-zxDQ&ved=0CEsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=LeAnn%20Rimes%20Disney%20Channel%20Concert&f=false |archive-date = June 21, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_zA4EAAAAMBAJ |page = [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_zA4EAAAAMBAJ/page/n30 31] |quote = LeAnn Rimes Disney Channel Concert. |title = Billboard – |via = [[Internet Archive]] |date = February 1, 1997 |publisher = Nielsen Business Media |access-date = June 7, 2012 }}</ref> In September 1997, Rimes released her follow-up studio album to ''Blue'' titled ''[[You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs]]''. The album covered classic inspirational songs and several pop songs. It was a departure from Rimes's previous releases with more [[Adult Contemporary]]-styled music than Country.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r312598|pure_url=yes}}|title=''You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs''|last=Owens|first=Thom|website=allmusic|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> The album sold over four million copies in the United States, certifying 4× Multi-Platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]].<ref name="riaa">{{cite web |url = http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=LeAnn%20Rimes&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |title = RIAA Gold & Platinum albums – LeAnn Rimes |publisher = [[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date = February 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131127041556/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=LeAnn%20Rimes&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-date = November 27, 2013 }}</ref> The album contained an extended version of the single "[[How Do I Live]]", which became a major pop hit on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], reaching number two.<ref name="Hot 100">{{cite magazine |title=LeAnn Rimes chart history (Hot 100) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/leann-rimes/chart-history/csa/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=December 19, 2021}}</ref><ref name="cmtbio" /> "How Do I Live" set a new record for becoming the longest-running single in ''Billboard'' Hot 100 history, spending 69 weeks on the chart.<ref name="people" /> In later years, the song was ranked as the most successful song of the 1990s by ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6297023/billboard-hot-100-1990 |title = The Top 20 Billboard Hot 100 Hits of the 1990s |website = billboard.com |date = October 30, 2014 |access-date = December 7, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170627215403/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6297023/billboard-hot-100-1990 |archive-date = June 27, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> 
{{listen|filename=LeAnn Rimes--How Do I Live--Audio.ogg |title="How Do I Live"|description=In 1997, Rimes recorded the song "How Do I Live", which crossed over onto the pop chart and became one of the most commercially-successful pop recordings of the 1990s. |format=[[Ogg]]||pos=right}}

Rimes released her third album in May 1998 titled ''[[Sittin' on Top of the World (LeAnn Rimes album)|Sittin' on Top of the World]]''. The album leaned towards Adult Contemporary and mid-tempo pop music. It included pop material written by [[Carole Bayer Sager]] and [[David Foster]].<ref name="roughguide" /> It also included a remake of [[Prince (singer)|Prince]]'s "[[Purple Rain (song)|Purple Rain]]" and was produced by her father. The album was given mixed reviews. Allmusic gave the album two out of five stars.<ref name="Sittin on Top">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r348593|pure_url=yes}}|title=''Sittin' on Top of the World'' album review|last=Thomas Erlewine|first=Stephen|website=allmusic|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' stated that Rimes "holds her own in the more popular style of [[Mariah Carey]] and [[Celine Dion]], wherein a spectacular voice upstages a song, grins and goes on about her business."<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/117926/review/5941735/sittin_on_top_of_the_world |title = LeAnn Rimes: ''Sittin' on Top of the World'' |last = Hunter |first = James |magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219082448/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/117926/review/5941735/sittin_on_top_of_the_world |archive-date = February 19, 2009 |url-status = dead |access-date = February 15, 2009 }}</ref> ''Sittin' on Top of the World'' debuted at number two on the Top Country Albums chart, and number three on the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r348593|pure_url=yes}}|title=''Sittin' on Top of the World'' charts|website=allmusic|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> and sold over a million copies in the United States, certifying "Platinum" in sales by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref name="riaa" /> The project spawned the number four ''Billboard'' country hit "[[Commitment (LeAnn Rimes song)|Commitment]]", the Top 20 Pop hit "[[Looking Through Your Eyes]]", and the number 10 country hit "[[Nothin' New Under the Moon]]".<ref name="Country Songs"/><ref name="Hot 100"/>
[[File:Lee Ann Rimes 1999.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Rimes in 1999]]

In October 1999, Curb released Rimes's [[LeAnn Rimes (album)|self-titled fourth studio album]]. The record was a collection of country music cover songs mainly by Patsy Cline. It included "[[Crazy (Willie Nelson song)|Crazy]]", "[[I Fall to Pieces]]", and "[[She's Got You]]".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rimes |first1=LeAnn |title=''LeAnn Rimes'' (CD Liner Notes and Album Information) |journal=[[Curb Records]] |date=October 26, 1999 |id=77947}}</ref> The recordings were primarily taken from Cline's ''[[12 Greatest Hits]]'' album. Rimes's album received mostly positive reviews. Allmusic called the song, "a return to her roots" and "a salute to one of her idols, Patsy Cline." The album in general received much praise. Allmusic called the album one of her "better" efforts, since they had disliked her previous releases.<ref name=1999albumreview>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r444551|pure_url=yes}}|title=''LeAnn Rimes'' album review|last=Thomas Erlewine|first=Stephen|website=allmusic|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the album a positive review and said that Rimes's voice "dares listeners to take note of what is missing in her interpretations–the gutsiness and gut-wrenching urgency of performers who felt what they sang."<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,271433,00.html |title = Too Young at Heart? |last = Johnson |first = Beth |magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date = February 15, 2009 |date = November 5, 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219141358/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C271433%2C00.html |archive-date = February 19, 2009 }}</ref> The album debuted at number one on the Top Country Albums chart, topping the country albums chart for two weeks. It also peaked at number eight on the ''Billboard'' 200 albums chart.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r444551|pure_url=yes}}|title=''LeAnn Rimes'' charts & awards|website=allmusic|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref><ref name="rock">{{cite web |url = http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-r/leannrimes_main.htm |title = LeAnn Rimes |publisher = Rock on the Net |access-date = February 15, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090224194615/http://rockonthenet.com/artists-r/leannrimes_main.htm |archive-date = February 24, 2009 }}</ref> The album also sold over one million copies in the United States, and was certified "Platinum" in sales by the RIAA.<ref name="riaa" /> The project also included the new song "[[Big Deal (LeAnn Rimes song)|Big Deal]]". Released as the lead single, "Big Deal" reached number six on the ''Billboard'' country chart.<ref name="Country Songs"/> Also in 1999, Rimes recorded a duet with [[Elton John]] for the stage musical ''[[Aida (musical)|Aida]]'', titled "[[Written in the Stars (Elton John and LeAnn Rimes song)|Written in the Stars]]".

{{listen
| pos         = right
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| title       = "Can't Fight the Moonlight" (2000)
| description = A thirty second sample of Rimes's "Can't Fight the Moonlight", from the ''[[Coyote Ugly (soundtrack)|Coyote Ugly]]'' soundtrack.
| format      = [[Ogg]]
}}

In 2000, Rimes contributed to the soundtrack from the 1999 TV movie ''[[Jesus (1999 film)|Jesus]]''. The song, "[[I Need You (LeAnn Rimes song)|I Need You]]", was issued as the lead single from the soundtrack in July 2000. A country mix was released as a single to radio along with a pop version.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Evans Price |first1=Deborah |title=EMI Labels Join Forces for 'Jesus' |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=April 1, 2000 |page=13 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ww4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=leann+rimes+records+i+need+you+for+2000+film+jesus&pg=PA13 |access-date=December 19, 2021}}</ref> "I Need You" was characterized by Allmusic as having similarities to that of Adult Contemporary and Pop music.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r512635|pure_url=yes}}|title=''I Need You'' album review|last=Thomas Erlewine|first=Stephen|website=allmusic|access-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> The song reached number eight on the ''Billboard'' country songs chart and number 11 on the Hot 100.<ref name="Country Songs"/><ref name="Hot 100"/> Rimes appeared in the 2000 film ''[[Coyote Ugly (film)|Coyote Ugly]]'' and contribute four songs to the [[Coyote Ugly (soundtrack)|soundtrack]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hay |first1=Carla |title=Curb, Rimes Go for Three in a Row with 'Blonde' Single |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=July 19, 2003 |page=14 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WhEEAAAAMBAJ&dq=leann+rimes+records+for+coyote+ugly&pg=PA14 |access-date=December 19, 2021}}</ref> "[[Can't Fight the Moonlight]]" was released as a single from the film, reaching number 11 on the Hot 100.<ref name="Hot 100"/> By February 2002 "Can't Fight the Moonlight" had become a crossover pop hit, reaching number 11 in United States and becoming the highest selling single of 2001 in Australia. "Can't Fight the Moonlight" won Rimes a ''[[Blockbuster Entertainment Award]]'' for "Favorite Song from a Movie".<ref name="rock" /> Also released from the soundtrack was "[[But I Do Love You]]", which reached the American country top 20.<ref name="Country Songs"/>

In January 2001, [[Curb Records]] released another compilation of previously recorded material, ''[[I Need You (album)|I Need You]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rimes |first1=LeAnn |title=''I Need You'' (CD Liner Notes and Album Information) |journal=[[Curb Records]] |date=January 30, 2001 |id=8573876382}}</ref> The album received mostly unfavorable reviews. ''Rolling Stone'' gave the album two and a half stars, describing it as "synthetic-feeling".<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/105687/review/6067849/i_need_you |title = LeAnn Rimes: ''I Need You'' |last = Berger |first = Arion |magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] |date = February 20, 2001 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071015205358/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/105687/review/6067849/i_need_you |archive-date = October 15, 2007 |url-status = dead |access-date = October 18, 2012 }}</ref> Despite very little praise from critics, the album sold well, and was certified "Gold" in sales by the RIAA.<ref name="riaa" /> Rimes later publicly disowned the album, which she said was compiled from studio outtakes her father had produced and that it was released without her knowledge or input.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1474877/leann-rimes-disowns-new-album.jhtml |title = News : LeAnn Rimes Disowns New Album |publisher = CMT |date = February 3, 2001 |access-date = September 27, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120320054634/http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1474877/leann-rimes-disowns-new-album.jhtml |archive-date = March 20, 2012 }}</ref> At the time during the litigation with her label Curb, Rimes was asking that Curb give her the rights to all past recordings and videos, give up all publishing interests in her compositions, and destroy all currently available recordings.<ref name="mtv">{{cite web |last = Flippo |first = Chet |url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1274452/leann-rimes-sues-label.jhtml |title = LeAnn Rimes Sues Label In Attempt To End Contract – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher = MTV |date = November 17, 2000 |access-date = October 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110428105356/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1274452/leann-rimes-sues-label.jhtml |archive-date = April 28, 2011 }}</ref> In 2002, she released her fifth studio effort ''[[Twisted Angel]],'' which contained more adult material.<ref name="allmusicbio"/> It was certified "Gold" by the RIAA, her second Gold-certified album.<ref name="riaa" /> ''Rolling Stone'' gave the album two out of five stars, stating that the album sounded too "country-pop crossover".<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/121150/review/5943137/twisted_angel |title = LeAnn Rimes: ''Twisted Angel'' |last = Hoard |first = Christian |date = October 22, 2001 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219082454/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/leannrimes/albums/album/121150/review/5943137/twisted_angel |archive-date = February 19, 2009 |magazine = Rolling Stone |url-status = dead |access-date = February 15, 2009 }}</ref> The following year she released her first children's book, titled ''Jag'', in July<ref name="jag" /> and she also released a ''[[Greatest Hits (LeAnn Rimes album)|Greatest Hits]]'' compilation in November.<ref name="rock" />