Bittersweet (Fantasia song) explained

Bittersweet
Cover:Fantasia Bittersweet.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Fantasia
Album:Back to Me
Released:May 11, 2010
Length:4:02
Label:J
Producer:Chuck Harmony
Prev Title:Even Angels
Prev Year:2010
Next Title:I'm Doin' Me
Next Year:2010

"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]

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

"Bittersweet" is a down-tempo R&B song which also derives from soul music. 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.

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."[3] Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly recommended the song as a download from the album, calling it an "old-school slow jam."[4] On songs such as "Bittersweet", Mariel Concepcion of Billboard said "her distinct voice is most enjoyable when singing heartfelt ballads."[5] 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

To promote the track, Fantasia has appeared on shows such as American Idol, Lopez Tonight and Good Morning America.[7]

Chart performance

"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

A 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

  1. "Bittersweet" – 4:02

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2010)!align="center"
Peak
position
South Korea International (Gaon)[14] 47
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[15] 83

Year-end charts

Chart (2010)!align="center"
Position
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[16] 6
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 22

Notes and References

  1. Web site: iTunes – Music – Bittersweet – Single by Fantasia . Itunes.apple.com . 2010-05-10 . 2012-01-16.
  2. Web site: Bittersweet . Amazon . 4 July 2010 .
  3. News: Album review: Fantasia's 'Back to Me'. Margaret. Wappler. Los Angeles Times. 2011-02-07. 2010-08-23.
  4. Back to Me (2010). Mikael. Wood. 2011-02-07. 2010-08-11. Entertainment Weekly. 2010-08-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20100815080247/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20409624,00.html. dead.
  5. Fantasia, "Back to Me". 2010-08-13. 2011-02-07. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Mariel. Concepcion.
  6. Web site: Fantasia: Back To Me. Slant Magazine. 2011-02-07. 2010-08-23.
  7. Web site: Fantasia Performs 'Bittersweet' On Idol . thatgrapejuice . 14 June 2010 .
  8. News: Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson show double-barreled sales power . USA Today . Brian . Mansfield . 2010-12-08.
  9. Web site: FANTASIA TO PREMIERE "BITTERSWEET" VIDEO ON VEVO JUNE 25 « Fantasia Official . June 18, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100621011319/http://www.fantasiaofficial.com/archives/35 . June 21, 2010 .
  10. Web site: joeandhisblog.com . joeandhisblog.com . 2012-01-16 .
  11. Web site: On Set of Fantasia's 'Bittersweet' Video. . 17 June 2010 .
  12. Web site: Video: Fantasia – 'Bittersweet'. . 25 June 2010.
  13. Web site: Bittersweet – Single. 10 May 2010 . . 25 June 2010.
  14. Web site: South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: August 15, 2010 to August 21, 2010) . . August 15, 2010 . July 31, 2011 .
  15. Japan Hot 100- Chart history . . May 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160804192628/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1496871/fantasia/chart?f=848 . 4 August 2016 . dead.
  16. 2010 Year End Chart: Adult R&B Songs. Billboard. June 24, 2020.
  17. 2010 Year End Chart: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. June 24, 2020.

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