Bitterblue

Bitterblue is the eighth studio album by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was released on 11 November 1991, through Hansa Records. Bitterblue is a pop rock album, described by Dieter Bohlen as "more commercial" than her previous albums. Bohlen began working with Tyler in early 1991, writing and producing multiple songs for the album. Bitterblue also features compositions from Albert Hammond, Nik Kershaw and Giorgio Moroder.

For the song, see Bitterblue (song).

Bitterblue
Studio album by
Bonnie Tyler
Released11 November 1991
Recorded1991
GenrePop rock[1]
Length58:40
LabelHansa
Producer
Bonnie Tyler chronology
Hide Your Heart
(1988)		 Bitterblue
(1991)		 Angel Heart
(1992)
Singles from Bitterblue
  1. "Bitterblue"
    Released: 7 October 1991
  2. "Against the Wind"
    Released: 16 December 1991
  3. "Where Were You"
    Released: 1992

Bitterblue received mixed reviews from music critics, with the songs being complimented but the production criticised. The album had major success in mainland Europe, where it reached number one in Austria and Norway. In 1992 it was certified 3× Platinum by IFPI Norway.[2] Three singles were released from the album, including the hits "Bitterblue" and "Against the Wind".

Writing and recording

Tyler signed to Hansa Records in 1990. Bitterblue was her first multi-producer album, with contributions from Dieter Bohlen, Luis Rodríguez, Roy Bittan, David Yorath, Giorgio Moroder and Nik Kershaw. Bohlen claimed that Tyler was reluctant to record his songs as she perceived them to be more commercial-sounding than her previous work.[3] The title track includes elements of Scottish folk music, including bagpipes and accordion, and was inspired by the Rod Stewart hit "Rhythm of My Heart".[3]

Bitterblue was the first of three albums that Tyler recorded with Bohlen. His songwriting and production work was often credited under the names Howard Houston, Steve Benson and Jennifer Blake. Tyler claimed that Bohlen chose to disguise his involvement to avoid radio DJs developing preconceptions about the album.[4]

Bitterblue was recorded at five recording studios located in Germany, the UK and in the US. Bohlen wrote, recorded and produced his own songs, with Luis Rodríguez acting as co-producer on three tracks. Nik Kershaw, Giorgio Moroder David Yorath all wrote and produced their own songs. Songs written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren were produced by Roy Bittan at Conway and A&M Studios in Los Angeles.[5] Tyler recorded "Heaven Is Here" as a duet with Moroder, and "Till the End of Time" with Dan Hartman. Both songs were written by Moroder. Tyler also co-wrote the lyrics for "Whenever You Need Me" with David Madiran.[5]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Tomas Mureika of AllMusic rated the album three and a half stars out of five, describing the album as "a pleasant collection of pop tunes." He opined that her pairing with Giorgio Moroder "[gave] Tyler's work a contemporary sheen that frames her vocals within the songs." Mureika concluded that Bitterblue is "better than most pop records," but not as strong as her work with Jim Steinman and Desmond Child.[1] In a review of the lead single, Billboard criticised Bohlen's production; "bombastic production, with a rush of bagpipes and a choir of chirping children at the forefront, overpower Tyler's distinctive raspy voice."[6]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Bitterblue"Dieter BohlenBohlen3:50
2."Against the Wind"Bohlen
3:59
3."Careless Heart"
Roy Bittan4:33
4."Whenever You Need Me"
Yorath4:04
5."Where Were You"
  • Hammond
  • Holly Knight
Bittan5:12
6."Save Me"
  • Hammond
  • Warren
Bittan4:09
7."He's Got a Hold On Me"Nik KershawKershaw4:15
8."Keep Your Love Alive"
Moroder4:24
9."Tell Me the Truth"Bohlen
  • Bohlen
  • Rodríguez
3:48
10."Heaven Is Here" (with Giorgio Moroder)
  • Moroder
  • Whitlock
Moroder4:40
11."Love Is in Love Again"
  • Moroder
  • Whitlock
Moroder4:40
12."Till the End of Time" (with Dan Hartman)
  • Moroder
  • Whitlock
Moroder4:03
13."Too Hot"BohlenBohlen3:27
14."Why"Bohlen
  • Bohlen
  • Rodríguez
3:56
Total length:58:40

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[7]

Technical and Design

  • Dieter Bohlen (as Howard Houston) – recording (1, 13), mixing (1, 13)
  • Dieter Bohlen – recording (2, 9, 14), mixing (2, 9, 14)
  • Luis Rodriguez – recording (2, 9, 14), mixing (2, 9, 14)
  • Phil Kaffel – engineer and recording (3, 5, 6), mixing (3, 5, 6)
  • David Yorath – recording (4), mixing (4)
  • Stuart Bruce – recording (7), mixing (7)
  • Brian Reeves – engineer (8, 10, 11, 12), mixing (8, 10, 11, 12)
  • Giorgio Moroder – mixing (8, 10, 11, 12)
  • Thomas Sassenbach – art direction
  • Aaron's Outfit – design
  • Ariola – design
  • Markus Amon – photography
  • Jeff Weiss – photography
  • David Aspden – management

Musicians and Vocals

  • Bonnie Tyler – vocals
  • Dan Hartman – vocals (12)
  • Giorgio Moroder – programming (8, 10, 11, 12) - vocals (10)
  • Roy Bittan – keyboards (3, 5, 6), arrangements (3, 5, 6)
  • Richard Cottle – keyboards (7)
  • Nik Kershaw – keyboards (7), programming (7), guitars (7), arrangements (7)
  • Scott Greer – programming (8, 10, 11, 12)
  • John Pierce – guitars (3, 5, 6)
  • Waddy Wachtel – guitars (3, 5, 6)
  • Tim Pierce – acoustic guitar (3, 5, 6)
  • Teddy Castellucci – guitars (8, 10, 11, 12)
  • Randy Jackson – bass (3, 6, 6)
  • Kenny Aronoff – drums (3, 5, 6)
  • Gary Herbig – saxophone (8, 10, 11, 12)
  • Dieter Bohlen – arrangements (as Howard Houston on 1, 13), arrangements (2, 9, 14)
  • David Yorath – arrangements (4)
  • Jackie Challenor – backing vocals (7)
  • Miriam Stockley – backing vocals (7)
  • Debbie McGlendon-Smith – backing vocals (8, 10, 11, 12)
  • Joe Pizzulo – backing vocals (8, 10, 11, 12)
  • Marietta Waters – backing vocals (8, 10, 11, 12)

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[18] Platinum 50,000*
Germany (BVMI)[19] Gold 250,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[2] 3× Platinum 155,000[2]
Sweden (GLF)[20] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[21] Gold 25,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Country Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Europe 11 November 1991
Hansa [22]
Japan 21 May 1992
United States 24 April 2012 Digital download Rdeg [23]

Accolades

RSH Gold Award

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1992 [24] Bitterblue Most successful German produced interpreter female Won

Notes
  1. Mureika, Tomas. "Bonnie Tyler Bitterblue review". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  2. Miranda Watson (14 March 1992). "Tyler Takes Scandi By Storm" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 7. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  3. Bohlen, Bonnie. Oder: Keiner singt geiler als die Tyler, p. 204.
  4. Gernandt, Alex (13 March 2019). "Bonnie Tyler feiert 50. Bühnenjubiläum: "Musik war meine Traumwelt"". Der Spiegel (in German). Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  5. Bitterblue (CD). Bonnie Tyler. Hansa Records. 1991. Hansa 212 142.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Billboard, p. 102
  7. "Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue Album Personnel". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 March 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. "Austriancharts.at – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  9. "European Top 100 Albums – March 7, 1992" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 10. 7 March 1992. p. 19. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  10. "Finland Top 10 Albums – March 14, 1992" (PDF). Music & Media. 14 March 1992. p. 22. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  11. "Officialcharts.de – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  12. "Norwegiancharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  13. "Swedishcharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  14. "Swisscharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  15. "Jahreshitparade Alben 1992". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  16. "1992 Year-End Sales Charts – European Top 100 Albums – December 19, 1992" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 51/52. 19 December 1992. p. 17. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  17. "Topp 40 Album Russetid 1992". lista.vg.no. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  18. "Austrian album certifications – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  19. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bonnie Tyler; 'Bitterblue')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  20. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  21. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Bonnie Tyler; 'Bitterblue')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  22. "iTunes — Music – Bitterblue by Bonnie Tyler". iTunes Stores (US). 11 November 1991. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  23. "Spotify — Bitterblue by Bonnie Tyler". Spotify. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  24. "RSH Gold 1992". RSH. Retrieved 24 February 2015.

References
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