"Bittersweet" is a song performed by American singer Fantasia from her third studio album, Back to Me. The song was released on May 11, 2010 as the lead single from the album.[1][2]
| "Bittersweet" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Fantasia | ||||
| from the album Back to Me | ||||
| Released | May 11, 2010 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 4:02 | |||
| Label | J | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Chuck Harmony | |||
| Fantasia singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
Fantasia's work on "Bittersweet" won her the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 2011 Grammy Awards, the last song to win this category. "Bittersweet" was also nominated for Best R&B Song. The song also won the 2011 NAACP Image Award for Best Song.
Composition and critical reception
edit"Bittersweet" is a down-tempo R&B song which also derives from soul music.[3] According to Margaret Wappler of the Los Angeles Times, its introduction is composed of "anguished" piano notes and "gut-socking" moans. The song lyrically sees its protagonist reminiscing on a past love.[3]
Margaret Wappler of the Los Angeles Times said Fantasia's best moment on Back to Me was "Bittersweet", stating that it was "smartly chosen as the album’s first single."[4] Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly recommended the song as a download from the album, calling it an "old-school slow jam."[5] On songs such as "Bittersweet", Mariel Concepcion of Billboard said "her distinct voice is most enjoyable when singing heartfelt ballads."[3] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine was less enthusiastic of the song, commenting that it "barely has a melodic line" and that it "just lets Fantasia do what she can with its bathetic series of clichés."[6]
Promotion
editTo promote the track, Fantasia has appeared on shows such as American Idol, Lopez Tonight and Good Morning America.[7]
Chart performance
edit"Bittersweet" peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 74 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has sold 90,000 copies in the United States.[8]
Music video
editA music video for "Bittersweet," directed by Lenny Bass.[9] It premiered on June 25, 2023 on Vevo.[10][11] The video features professional football player Devin Thomas as Fantasia's love interest.[12]
Track listing
edit- Digital download[13]
- "Bittersweet" – 4:02
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
References
edit- ^ "iTunes – Music – Bittersweet – Single by Fantasia". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-05-10. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
- ^ "Bittersweet". Amazon. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ a b c Concepcion, Mariel (2010-08-13). "Fantasia, "Back to Me"". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
- ^ Wappler, Margaret (2010-08-23). "Album review: Fantasia's 'Back to Me'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
- ^ Wood, Mikael (2010-08-11). "Back to Me (2010)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2010-08-15. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
- ^ "Fantasia: Back To Me". Slant Magazine. 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
- ^ "Fantasia Performs 'Bittersweet' On Idol". thatgrapejuice. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
- ^ Mansfield, Brian (2010-12-08). "Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson show double-barreled sales power". USA Today.
- ^ "FANTASIA TO PREMIERE "BITTERSWEET" VIDEO ON VEVO JUNE 25 « Fantasia Official". Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
- ^ "joeandhisblog.com". joeandhisblog.com. Retrieved 2012-01-16.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "On Set of Fantasia's 'Bittersweet' Video". Rap-Up. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ "Video: Fantasia – 'Bittersweet'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
- ^ "Bittersweet – Single". iTunes. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
- ^ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: August 15, 2010 to August 21, 2010)". Gaon Chart. August 15, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ "Japan Hot 100- Chart history". Billboard. May 18, 2022. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Fantasia Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ "Fantasia Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ "2010 Year End Chart: Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ "2010 Year End Chart: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.