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"Bittersweet"
Single by Fantasia
from the album Back to Me
Released	May 11, 2010
Genre	R&B
Length	4:02
Label	J
Songwriter(s)	Charles Harmon Claude Kelly
Producer(s)	Chuck Harmony
Fantasia singles chronology
"Even Angels" (2010) "Bittersweet" (2010) "I'm Doin' Me" (2010)
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"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.

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. 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.

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." Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly recommended the song as a download from the album, calling it an "old-school slow jam." On songs such as "Bittersweet", Mariel Concepcion of Billboard said "her distinct voice is most enjoyable when singing heartfelt ballads." 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."

Promotion

To promote the track, Fantasia has appeared on shows such as American Idol, Lopez Tonight and Good Morning America.

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.

Music video

A music video for "Bittersweet," directed by Lenny Bass. It premiered on June 25, 2023 on Vevo. The video features professional football player Devin Thomas as Fantasia's love interest.

Track listing

• Digital download

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.

External links

• Bittersweet on YouTube

• 2010s ballads
• 2010 singles
• Fantasia Barrino songs
• Songs written by Claude Kelly
• Songs written by Chuck Harmony
• Song recordings produced by Chuck Harmony
• 2010 songs
• J Records singles
• Contemporary R&B ballads
• Soul ballads
• Torch songs