Bitterblue (song)
"Bitterblue" is a song recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler for her eighth studio album of the same name (1991). It was released on 7 October 1991 by Hansa Records. The song was a European hit, missing the number one spot in Norway to Michael Jackson's song "Black or White". The song was written and produced by Dieter Bohlen.
"Bitterblue" | ||||
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Single by Bonnie Tyler | ||||
from the album Bitterblue | ||||
Released | 7 October 1991 | |||
Recorded | Los Angeles, 1991 | |||
Length | 3:48 | |||
Label | Hansa Records, BMG | |||
Songwriter(s) | Dieter Bohlen | |||
Producer(s) | Dieter Bohlen | |||
Bonnie Tyler singles chronology | ||||
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"Bitterblue" has appeared on several of Tyler's compilation albums including The Very Best of Bonnie Tyler: Volume 1, Comeback: Single Collection '90–'94, Greatest Hits, Total Eclipse Anthology and Ravishing - The Best Of.
Composition
"Bitterblue" was written and produced by Dieter Bohlen, who drew upon Rod Stewart's 1991 single "Rhythm of My Heart" for inspiration. The song features elements of Scottish folk music, including instruments such as bagpipes and accordion.[1]
Chart performance
"Bitterblue" was reasonably successful in Europe. In Norway, the song debuted at number 7, and remained in the Top 10 for sixteen weeks. It reached its peak of number 2 on its fourth charting week, maintaining this position for a second week behind Michael Jackson's "Black or White". "Bitterblue" spent a further six weeks at number 3.
The song also spent twenty weeks in the Top 30 Singles in Austria, where it peaked at number five. "Bitterblue" also spent 17 weeks[2] in the German charts, where it reached number seventeen. The single was number 15 in Cash Box Pop Singles Looking Ahead, this chart was equivalent to Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100.[3]
Critical reception
Billboard gave the song a mixed review, stating, "bombastic production, with a rush of bagpipes and a choir of chirping children at the forefront, overpower Tyler's distinctive raspy voice."[4]
Track listings
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Year–end charts
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Awards
RSH-GOLD Awards
Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
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1992 | "Bitterblue"[15] | Catchy Song of the Year | Won |
References
- Bohlen, Bonnie. Oder: Keiner singt geiler als die Tyler, p. 204.
- "Bonnie Tyler: Bitterblue - 12".
- "CashBox : Pop Singles".
- Billboard, p. 102
- Bitterblue (Maxi CD). Bonnie Tyler. Hansa Records. 1991. Hansa 664 751.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Bitterblue (7-inch single). Bonnie Tyler. Hansa Records. 1991. Hansa 114 751.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Bitterblue (12-inch single). Bonnie Tyler. Hansa Records. 1991. Hansa 614 751.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - "Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
- "Denmark Singles – 7 December 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. 11 January 1992. p. 17. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- "European Hot 100 Singles – 11 January 1992" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 2. 11 January 1992. p. 13. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- "Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- "Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". VG-lista. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
- "Jahreshitparade Singles 1992". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
- "Deutsch Jahreshitparade Singles 1992". Retrieved 23 January 2019.
- "RSH - Wie alles begann... - RSH Gold 1992". Rsh-history.de. 1992-02-15. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
Bibliography
- "Billboard Vol. 104". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1992. ISSN 0006-2510.
- Bohlen, Dieter; Kessler, Katja (2002). Nichts als die Wahrheit [Nothing But the Truth] (in German). Ullstein Heyne List GmbH & Co. KG. ISBN 3-453-86143-4.