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"
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[edit]
"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[edit]
To promote the track, Fantasia has appeared on shows such as American Idol, Lopez Tonight and Good Morning America.[7]
Chart performance[edit]
"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]