Bitterblue

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Bitterblue
Bonnie Tyler - Bitterblue.jpg
Studio album by Bonnie Tyler
Released 11 November 1991
Recorded 1991
Genre Pop rock[1]
Length 58:40
Label Hansa Records
Producer
Bonnie Tyler chronology
Hide Your Heart
(1988)Hide Your Heart1988		 Bitterblue
(1991)		 Angel Heart
(1992)Angel Heart1992
Singles from Bitterblue
  1. "Bitterblue"
    Released: November 1991
  2. "Against the Wind"
    Released: 1991
  3. "Where Were You"
    Released: 1992

Bitterblue is the eighth studio album by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was released on 11 November 1991, through Hansa Records. Bitterblue is a pop rock album, described by Dieter Bohlen as "more commercial" than her previous albums. Bohlen began working with Tyler in early 1991, writing and producing multiple songs for the album. Bitterblue also features compositions from Albert Hammond, Nik Kershaw and Giorgio Moroder.

Bitterblue received mixed reviews from music critics, with the songs being complimented but the production criticised. The album had major success in mainland Europe, where it reached number one in Austria and Norway. In 1992 it was certified 4× Platinum by IFPI Norway, with international sales of over a million copies. Three singles were released from the album, including the hits "Bitterblue" and "Against the Wind".

Writing and recording

Tyler began working with German producer Dieter Bohlen in 1991.[2] She was reluctant to record Bohlen's songs at first, having been used to recording rock music. He was able to persuade Tyler, remarking, "you've made your rock music for years, but maybe you just have to be a bit more commercial."[3] Bohlen was inspired by Rod Stewart's success with "Rhythm of My Heart", which was released in early 1991. In an attempt to emulate that, he wrote five songs for Bitterblue with elements of Scottish folk music, including instruments such as bagpipes and accordion.[3]

Tyler recorded Bitterblue in five recording studios located in Germany, the UK and in the US. Bohlen wrote, recorded and produced his own songs, with Luis Rodríguez acting as co-producer on three tracks. Nik Kershaw, Giorgio Moroder David Yorath all wrote and produced their own songs. Songs written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren were produced by Roy Bittan at Conway and A&M Studios in Los Angeles.[4] Tyler recorded "Heaven Is Here" as a duet with Moroder, and "Till the End of Time" with Dan Hartman. Both songs were written by Moroder. Tyler also co-wrote the lyrics for "Whenever You Need Me" with David Madiran.[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 3.5/5 stars[1]

Tomas Mureika of AllMusic rated the album three and a half stars out of five, describing the album as "a pleasant collection of pop tunes." He opined that her pairing with Giorgio Moroder "[gave] Tyler's work a contemporary sheen that frames her vocals within the songs." Mureika concluded that Bitterblue is "better than most pop records," but not as strong as her work with Jim Steinman and Desmond Child.[1] In a review of the lead single, Billboard criticised Bohlen's production; "bombastic production, with a rush of bagpipes and a choir of chirping children at the forefront, overpower Tyler's distinctive raspy voice."[5]

Accolades

Tyler received a RSH Gold award in 1992 for "most successful German produced interpreter".[6]

Track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length
1. "Bitterblue"   Dieter Bohlen Bohlen 3:50
2. "Against the Wind"   Bohlen
3:59
3. "Careless Heart"   Albert Hammond Roy Bittan 4:33
4. "Whenever You Need Me"  
Yorath 4:04
5. "Where Were You"   Hammond Bittan 5:12
6. "Save Me"  
Bittan 4:09
7. "He's Got a Hold On Me"   Nik Kershaw Kershaw 4:15
8. "Keep Your Love Alive"   Giorgio Moroder Moroder 4:24
9. "Tell Me the Truth"   Bohlen
  • Bohlen
  • Rodríguez
 3:48
10. "Heaven Is Here" (with Giorgio Moroder) Moroder Moroder 4:40
11. "Love Is in Love Again"   Moroder Moroder 4:40
12. "Till the End of Time" (with Dan Hartman) Moroder Moroder 4:03
13. "Too Hot"   Bohlen Bohlen 3:27
14. "Why"   Bohlen
  • Bohlen
  • Rodríguez
 3:56
Total length:
 58:40

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Austria (IFPI Austria)[14] Platinum 50,000
Germany (BVMI)[15] Gold 250,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)[16] 4× Platinum 200,000
Sweden (GLF)[17] Gold 50,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[18] Gold 25,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic:[19]

Technical and production

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Bohlen, Bonnie. Oder: Keiner singt geiler als die Tyler, p. 203.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bohlen, Bonnie. Oder: Keiner singt geiler als die Tyler, p. 204.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Billboard, p. 102
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter Bonnie Tyler in the field Interpret. Enter Bitterblue in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

References

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