Bittersweet (Fantasia song)

Last updated
"Bittersweet"
Fantasia Bittersweet.jpg
Single by Fantasia
from the album Back to Me
ReleasedMay 11, 2010
Length4:02
Label J
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Chuck Harmony
Fantasia singles chronology
"Even Angels"
(2010)
"Bittersweet"
(2010)
"I'm Doin' Me"
(2010)
Audio sample

"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]

Contents

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, 2010 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

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