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{{Short description|Song by R.E.M}}
{| id="toc" style="width:20em; margin:0 0 0.5em 1em; float:right;"
{{Infobox song
!align="center" bgcolor="yellow" colspan="3"|"E-Bow the Letter"
| name = Bittersweet Me
| cover = R.E.M. - Bittersweet Me.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = ]
| album = ]
| B-side = Undertow (Live)
| released = {{start date|1996|10|21}}
| recorded = November 7, 1995
| studio = ] soundcheck
| genre = <!-- Do not add unsourced genres -->
| length = 4:06
| label = ]
| writer = {{hlist|]|]|]|]}}
| producer = {{hlist|]|R.E.M.}}
| prev_title = ]
| prev_year = 1996
| next_title = ]
| next_year = 1997
}}

"'''Bittersweet Me'''" is a song by American rock band ], released as the second single from their 10th studio album, '']'' (1996). Like much of the album, the song originated while the band were on the road for the ''Monster'' tour, although the song was only ever ]ed and has never been played live as part of a concert.<ref></ref> The song was a bigger hit in the United States than the first single from the album, "E-Bow the Letter", except on the ] chart, where the first single's number-two peak bested the number-six peak of "Bittersweet Me".

The CD single features a live cover of "]", a song written by ] and made popular by ]. The ] for the single was shot in the style of an Italian movie entitled ''Stanco E Nudo'' (a translation of the line "tired and naked" in the song). It was included as a bonus video on the ] release of '']''.

==Critical reception==
] from '']'' described the song as "a strumming, easy-paced rocker that rings with the vintage R.E.M. sound—clever, mildly introspective verses that build to a full-throttle, pop-soaked chorus that permanently melts into the brain upon impact." He added, "It's a familiar formula that never seems to grow tired, mostly due to ]'s always believable, subtext-riddled vocals and tight instrumentation that sounds like it's unfolding live. Already connecting at rock radio, the single will gain top 40 approval within seconds."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|title=Reviews & Previews: Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-10-19.pdf|work=]|date=October 19, 1996|page=62|accessdate=December 3, 2022|author-link=Larry Flick}}</ref>

==Track listings==
All songs were written by ], ], ], and ] unless otherwise indicated.

* '''7-inch, cassette, and CD single'''
#"Bittersweet Me"&nbsp;– 4:06
#"Undertow" (live)<sup>1</sup>&nbsp;– 5:05

* '''12-inch and CD maxi-single'''
# "Bittersweet Me"&nbsp;– 4:06
# "Undertow" (live)<sup>1</sup>&nbsp;– 5:05
# "]" (]) (live)<sup>2</sup> &nbsp;– 3:18
# "]" (live acoustic)<sup>3</sup>&nbsp;– 5:29

===Notes===
<sup>1</sup> Recorded at the Omni Theater, Atlanta, Georgia; November 18, 1995. Taken from the live performance video, '']''.<br />
<sup>2</sup> Recorded at The Woodlands, Houston, Texas; September 15, 1995.<br />
<sup>3</sup> Recorded at Bad Animals Studio, Seattle, Washington; April 19, 1996.

==Personnel==
* ]&nbsp;– ], ]
* ]&nbsp;– ]
* ]&nbsp;– ], ], ]
* ]&nbsp;– ]
* ]&nbsp;– ]

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (1996–1997)
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
|- |-
!scope="row"|Australia (])<ref>{{cite Ryan|page=232}}</ref>
|align="center" colspan="3" |]
|90
|- |-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|6|chartid=9720|rowheader=true|access-date=April 19, 2021}}
!align="center" bgcolor="yellow" colspan="3"|Single by ]
|- |-
{{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|42|chartid=9788|rowheader=true|access-date=April 19, 2021}}
!align="center" colspan="3" |From the album '']''
|- |-
{{single chart|Canadarock|11|chartid=9736|rowheader=true|access-date=April 19, 2021}}
!align="left" valign="top" |Single Released
|colspan="2" valign="top" |] ]
|- |-
!scope="row"|Europe (])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-11-09.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=]|volume=13|issue=45|page=24|date=November 9, 1996|access-date=April 19, 2021}}</ref>
!align="left" valign="top" |Single Format
|92
|colspan="2" valign="top" |], ], ], ]
|- |-
{{single chart|Germany|93|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bittersweet Me|songid=86706|rowheader=true}}
!align="left" valign="top" |Recorded
|colspan="2" valign="top" |] ] ] soundcheck
|- |-
!scope="row"|Iceland (])<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2948851?iabr=on#page/n1/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (12.12. – 18.12.'96)|newspaper=]|language=is|page=20|date=December 13, 1996|access-date=April 19, 2021}}</ref>
!align="left" valign="top" |]
|5
|colspan="2" valign="top" |]
|- |-
{{single chart|Ireland2|20|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bittersweet Me|rowheader=true}}
!align="left" valign="top" |Song Length
|colspan="2" valign="top" |4:06
|- |-
{{single chart|Scotland|14|date=19961102|rowheader=true|access-date=April 19, 2021}}
!align="left" valign="top" |]
|colspan="2" valign="top" |]
|- |-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|19|artist=R.E.M.|artistid=18727|rowheader=true|access-date=April 19, 2021}}
!align="left" valign="top" |]
|colspan="2" valign="top" |] & R.E.M.
|- |-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|46|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bittersweet Me|rowheader=true}}
!align="left" valign="top" |] positions
|colspan="2" valign="top" |90 (]) 46 (]) 19 (]) 22 (])
|- |-
{{single chart|Billboardadultalternativesongs|1|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bittersweet Me|rowheader=true|access-date=April 19, 2021}}
!bgcolor="yellow" colspan="3"|R.E.M. single chronology
|-
|-align="center"
{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|6|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bittersweet Me|rowheader=true}}
|valign="top"|<small>"]"<br />1996</small>
|-
|valign="top"|<small>"Bittersweet Me"<br />1996</small>
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|7|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bittersweet Me|rowheader=true}}
|valign="top"|<small>"]"<br />]</small>
|-
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|28|artist=R.E.M.|song=Bittersweet Me|rowheader=true}}
|} |}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
"'''Bittersweet Me'''" was the second ] to be released by ] from the band's tenth studio album '']''.
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1996)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|US Mainstream Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Mainstream Rock Tracks|magazine=]|volume=4|issue=53|page=23|date=December 27, 1996}}</ref>
|83
|-
!scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Modern Rock Tracks|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=4|issue=53|page=24|date=December 27, 1996}}</ref>
|83
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1997)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3416&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3416.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3416|title=RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks|magazine=]|via=]|access-date=April 19, 2021}}</ref>
|75
|-
!scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2963913?iabr=on#page/n15/mode/2up/|title=Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=25|date=January 2, 1998|access-date=April 19, 2021}}</ref>
|59
|-
!scope="row"|US Mainstream Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref name="usrockye">{{cite magazine|title=Best of '97|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=5|issue=52|page=28|date=December 26, 1997}}</ref>
|75
|-
!scope="row"|US Modern Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best of '97: Modern Rock Tracks|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=5|issue=52|page=30|date=December 26, 1997}}</ref>
|97
|-
!scope="row"|US Triple-A (''Billboard'')<ref name="usrockye"/>
|38
|}
{{col-end}}


==Release history==
Like much of the album, the song originated while the band were on the road for the ''Monster'' tour, although the song was only ever soundchecked and has never been played live as part of a concert.
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region
] has described the song as a "kind of disappointed ]." The ] for the single was a spoof shot in the style of an Italian movie entitled ''Stanco E Nudo'', a translation of the line "tired and naked" in the song. It was included as a bonus video on the ] release of '']''.
!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)
The CD features a live cover of "]", a song written by ] and made popular by ].
!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
==Track listing==
|-
All songs written by ], ], ], and ] unless otherwise indicated.
!scope="row"|United States
===7", Cassette and CD Single===
|October 8, 1996
# "Bittersweet Me" &ndash; 4:06
|]
# "Undertow" (Live)&ndash; 5:05
|rowspan="3"|]
===12" and CD Maxi-Single===
|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-10-04.pdf|title=Selected New Releases|magazine=]|issue=1166|page=77|date=October 4, 1996|access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref>
# "Bittersweet Me" &ndash; 4:06
|-
# "Undertow" (Live)&ndash; 5:05
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
# "Wichita Lineman" (Live) (]) &ndash; 3:18
|October 21, 1996
# "New Test Leper" (Live acoustic) ], ] &ndash; 5:29
|{{hlist|CD|cassette}}

|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-10-19.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=]|page=37|date=October 19, 1996|access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref>

|-
*"Undertow" recorded live in ] on ] ]
!scope="row"|Japan
*"Wichita Lineman" recorded live in ] on ] ]
|December 11, 1996
|CD
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/19967/products/307519/2/|title=ビタースイート・ミー {{!}} R.E.M.|trans-title=Bittersweet Me {{!}} R.E.M.|publisher=]|language=ja|access-date=August 29, 2023}}</ref>
|}


==References==
==Personnel (Bittersweet Me only)==
{{Reflist}}
*] &ndash; ], ]
*] &ndash; ]
*] &ndash; ], ], ]
*] &ndash; ]
===Additional personnel===
*] &ndash; ]


==External links== ==External links==
* {{YouTube|Z-fyqEzFMpM|Full video on R.E.M. HQ's channel}}
*


{{R.E.M.}} {{R.E.M.}}
{{Authority control}}


] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 18:55, 17 July 2024

Song by R.E.M
"Bittersweet Me"
Single by R.E.M.
from the album New Adventures in Hi-Fi
B-side"Undertow (Live)"
ReleasedOctober 21, 1996 (1996-10-21)
RecordedNovember 7, 1995
StudioMemphis soundcheck
Length4:06
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
R.E.M. singles chronology
"E-Bow the Letter"
(1996) 		"Bittersweet Me"
(1996) 		"Electrolite"
(1997)

"Bittersweet Me" is a song by American rock band R.E.M., released as the second single from their 10th studio album, New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996). Like much of the album, the song originated while the band were on the road for the Monster tour, although the song was only ever soundchecked and has never been played live as part of a concert. The song was a bigger hit in the United States than the first single from the album, "E-Bow the Letter", except on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, where the first single's number-two peak bested the number-six peak of "Bittersweet Me".

The CD single features a live cover of "Wichita Lineman", a song written by Jimmy Webb and made popular by Glen Campbell. The video for the single was shot in the style of an Italian movie entitled Stanco E Nudo (a translation of the line "tired and naked" in the song). It was included as a bonus video on the DVD release of In View - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "a strumming, easy-paced rocker that rings with the vintage R.E.M. sound—clever, mildly introspective verses that build to a full-throttle, pop-soaked chorus that permanently melts into the brain upon impact." He added, "It's a familiar formula that never seems to grow tired, mostly due to Michael Stipe's always believable, subtext-riddled vocals and tight instrumentation that sounds like it's unfolding live. Already connecting at rock radio, the single will gain top 40 approval within seconds."

Track listings

All songs were written by Berry, Buck, Mills, and Stipe unless otherwise indicated.

  • 7-inch, cassette, and CD single
  1. "Bittersweet Me" – 4:06
  2. "Undertow" (live) – 5:05
  • 12-inch and CD maxi-single
  1. "Bittersweet Me" – 4:06
  2. "Undertow" (live) – 5:05
  3. "Wichita Lineman" (Webb) (live)  – 3:18
  4. "New Test Leper" (live acoustic) – 5:29

Notes

Recorded at the Omni Theater, Atlanta, Georgia; November 18, 1995. Taken from the live performance video, Road Movie.
Recorded at The Woodlands, Houston, Texas; September 15, 1995.
Recorded at Bad Animals Studio, Seattle, Washington; April 19, 1996.

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996–1997) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) 90
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 6
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) 42
Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM) 11
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 92
Germany (GfK) 93
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 5
Ireland (IRMA) 20
Scotland (OCC) 14
UK Singles (OCC) 19
US Billboard Hot 100 46
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard) 1
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) 6
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) 7
US Pop Airplay (Billboard) 28

Year-end charts

Chart (1996) Position
US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard) 83
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) 83
Chart (1997) Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 75
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 59
US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard) 75
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) 97
US Triple-A (Billboard) 38

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States October 8, 1996 Contemporary hit radio Warner Bros.
United Kingdom October 21, 1996
  • CD
  • cassette
Japan December 11, 1996 CD

References

  1. R.E.M. Timeline
  2. Flick, Larry (October 19, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 62. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  3. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 232.
  4. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9720." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  5. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9788." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  6. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 9736." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 45. November 9, 1996. p. 24. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  8. "R.E.M. – Bittersweet Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  9. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (12.12. – 18.12.'96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). December 13, 1996. p. 20. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  10. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Bittersweet Me". Irish Singles Chart.
  11. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  12. "R.E.M.: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  13. "R.E.M. Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. "R.E.M. Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  15. "R.E.M. Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  16. "R.E.M. Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
  17. "R.E.M. Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  18. "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Mainstream Rock Tracks". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 23.
  19. "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Modern Rock Tracks". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 24.
  20. "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved April 19, 2021 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  21. "Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1998. p. 25. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  22. ^ "Best of '97". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 26, 1997. p. 28.
  23. "Best of '97: Modern Rock Tracks". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 26, 1997. p. 30.
  24. "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1166. October 4, 1996. p. 77. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  25. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. October 19, 1996. p. 37. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  26. "ビタースイート・ミー | R.E.M." [Bittersweet Me | R.E.M.] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 29, 2023.

External links

R.E.M.
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