Bittersweet (Fantasia song)

"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
ReleasedMay 11, 2010
Length4:02
LabelJ
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Chuck Harmony
Fantasia singles chronology
"Even Angels"
(2010)		 "Bittersweet"
(2010)		 "I'm Doin' Me"
(2010)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help

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]

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
  • Digital download[13]
  1. "Bittersweet" – 4:02

Charts

References
  1. "iTunes – Music – Bittersweet – Single by Fantasia". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-05-10. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  2. "Bittersweet". Amazon. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  3. Concepcion, Mariel (2010-08-13). "Fantasia, "Back to Me"". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  4. Wappler, Margaret (2010-08-23). "Album review: Fantasia's 'Back to Me'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  5. Wood, Mikael (2010-08-11). "Back to Me (2010)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2010-08-15. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  6. "Fantasia: Back To Me". Slant Magazine. 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  7. "Fantasia Performs 'Bittersweet' On Idol". thatgrapejuice. Retrieved 14 June 2010.
  8. Mansfield, Brian (2010-12-08). "Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson show double-barreled sales power". USA Today.
  9. "FANTASIA TO PREMIERE "BITTERSWEET" VIDEO ON VEVO JUNE 25 « Fantasia Official". Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  10. "joeandhisblog.com". joeandhisblog.com. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  11. "On Set of Fantasia's 'Bittersweet' Video". Rap-Up. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  12. "Video: Fantasia – 'Bittersweet'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  13. "Bittersweet – Single". iTunes. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  14. "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: August 15, 2010 to August 21, 2010)". Gaon Chart. August 15, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  15. "Japan Hot 100- Chart history". Billboard. May 18, 2022. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016.
  16. "Fantasia Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  17. "Fantasia Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  18. "2010 Year End Chart: Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  19. "2010 Year End Chart: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
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