Bitterblue

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.

For the song, see Bitterblue (song).
Bitterblue
Studio album by
Bonnie Tyler
Released11 November 1991
Recorded1991
GenrePop rock[1]
Length58:40
LabelHansa
Producer
Bonnie Tyler chronology
Hide Your Heart
(1988)		 Bitterblue
(1991)		 Angel Heart
(1992)
Singles from Bitterblue
  1. "Bitterblue"
    Released: 7 October 1991
  2. "Against the Wind"
    Released: 16 December 1991
  3. "Where Were You"
    Released: 1992

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
SourceRating
AllMusic[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]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Bitterblue"Dieter BohlenBohlen3:50
2."Against the Wind"Bohlen
3:59
3."Careless Heart"
Roy Bittan4:33
4."Whenever You Need Me"
Yorath4:04
5."Where Were You"
  • Hammond
  • Holly Knight
Bittan5:12
6."Save Me"
  • Hammond
  • Warren
Bittan4:09
7."He's Got a Hold On Me"Nik KershawKershaw4:15
8."Keep Your Love Alive"
Moroder4:24
9."Tell Me the Truth"Bohlen
  • Bohlen
  • Rodríguez
3:48
10."Heaven Is Here" (with Giorgio Moroder)
  • Moroder
  • Whitlock
Moroder4:40
11."Love Is in Love Again"
  • Moroder
  • Whitlock
Moroder4:40
12."Till the End of Time" (with Dan Hartman)
  • Moroder
  • Whitlock
Moroder4:03
13."Too Hot"BohlenBohlen3:27
14."Why"Bohlen
  • Bohlen
  • Rodríguez
3:56
Total length:58:40

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[6]

Technical and production

  • Dieter Bohlen – producer, engineering
  • Scott Greer – programming
  • Phil Kaffel – engineering, mixing
  • Nik Kershaw – producer
  • Giorgio Moroder – producer
  • Brian Reeves – engineering
  • Luis Rodríguez – producer

Musicians

Vocals

  • Bonnie Tyler – vocals
  • Jackie Challenor – background vocals
  • Dan Hartman – featured artist
  • Giorgio Moroder – featured artist
  • Miriam Stockley – background vocals

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[17] Platinum 50,000*
Germany (BVMI)[18] Gold 250,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[19] 4× Platinum 200,000*
Sweden (GLF)[20] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[21] Gold 25,000^

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

Release history
Country Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Europe 11 November 1991
Hansa [22]
Japan 21 May 1992
United States 24 April 2012 Digital download Rdeg [23]

Accolades

RSH Gold Award

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1992 [24] Bitterblue Most successful German produced interpreter female Won

Notes
  1. Mureika, Tomas. "Bonnie Tyler Bitterblue review". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  2. Bohlen, Bonnie. Oder: Keiner singt geiler als die Tyler, p. 203.
  3. Bohlen, Bonnie. Oder: Keiner singt geiler als die Tyler, p. 204.
  4. Bitterblue (CD). Bonnie Tyler. Hansa Records. 1991. Hansa 212 142.CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. Billboard, p. 102
  6. "Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue Album Personnel". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 March 2015. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. "Austriancharts.at – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  8. "Music & Media" (PDF). Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  9. "Music & Media" (PDF). Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  10. "Officialcharts.de – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  11. "Norwegiancharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  12. "Swedishcharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  13. "Swisscharts.com – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  14. "Jahreshitparade Alben 1992". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  15. "Music & Media" (PDF). Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  16. "Topp 40 Album Russetid 1992". lista.vg.no. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  17. "Austrian album certifications – Bonnie Tyler – Bitterblue" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  18. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bonnie Tyler; 'Bitterblue')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  19. "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  20. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  21. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Bonnie Tyler; 'Bitterblue')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  22. "iTunes — Music – Bitterblue by Bonnie Tyler". iTunes Stores (US). Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  23. "Spotify — Bitterblue by Bonnie Tyler". Spotify. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  24. "RSH Gold 1992". RSH. Retrieved 24 February 2015.

References
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