"Bittersweet" | ||||
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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 | ||||
"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.
"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]
To promote the track, Fantasia has appeared on shows such as American Idol , Lopez Tonight and Good Morning America . [7]
"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]
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]
Weekly charts
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