Bittersweet (Fantasia song)
| "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 | ||||
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| Audio sample | ||||
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"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.[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
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] and 67,576 in South Korea.[9]
Music video
A music video for "Bittersweet," directed by Lenny Bass.[10] It premiered on June 25, 2023 on Vevo.[11][12] The video features professional football player Devin Thomas as Fantasia's love interest.[13]
Track listing
- Digital download[14]
- "Bittersweet" – 4:02
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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References
- ^ "iTunes – Music – Bittersweet – Single by Fantasia". iTunes. May 10, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ "Bittersweet". Amazon. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b c Concepcion, Mariel (August 13, 2010). "Fantasia, "Back to Me"". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ Wappler, Margaret (August 23, 2010). "Album review: Fantasia's 'Back to Me'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ Wood, Mikael (August 11, 2010). "Back to Me (2010)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 15, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ "Fantasia: Back To Me". Slant Magazine. August 23, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ "Fantasia Performs 'Bittersweet' On Idol". thatgrapejuice. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ^ Mansfield, Brian (December 8, 2010). "Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson show double-barreled sales power". USA Today.
- ^ "2010년 Download Chart 국외". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ "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 January 16, 2012.
- ^ "On Set of Fantasia's 'Bittersweet' Video". Rap-Up. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
- ^ "Video: Fantasia – 'Bittersweet'". Rap-Up. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
- ^ "Bittersweet – Single". iTunes. May 10, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
- ^ "Digital Chart: 2010 Weeks 24". Gaon Chart. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ^ "Japan Hot 100- Chart history". Billboard. May 18, 2022. Archived from the original on August 4, 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.