The Bitter End (song)

Infobox Single
Name = The Bitter End
Artist = Placebo


from Album = Sleeping with Ghosts
Released = 10 March 2003
Format = CD, 7"
[ Recorded = ]
Genre = Alternative
Rock
Length = 3:10
Label = Virgin Records
Writer = Brian Molko; Placebo
Producer = ???
[ Certification = ]
Chart position =
* #12 (UK)
Last single = "Black Eyed" (2001)
This single = "The Bitter End" (2003)
Next single = "This Picture" (2004)

"The Bitter End" is a single by alternative rock band Placebo. Released in March 2003, it was lifted from their album "Sleeping with Ghosts".

Critical response

Critics generally praised the single upon its release. Reviewing "Sleeping with Ghosts", BBC.co.uk's rock/indie reviewer Dan Tallis described "The Bitter End" as "a good pop tune",Tallis, Dan. "Placebo, Sleeping with Ghosts", album review, March 2003, at [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/d5hj/ BBC.co.uk] ; last accessed January 8, 2007.] having "just the right amount of dark, gothic atmosphere to please their fans and enough radio friendly guitars to please the new generation of indie kids."Tallis, Dan. "Placebo, Sleeping with Ghosts", album review, March 2003, at [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/d5hj/ BBC.co.uk] ; last accessed January 8, 2007.] The Times thought the song "ramped up the energy level to devastating effect." [Sinclair, David. "Keep Taking the Placebos", album review, 21 March 2003, The Times, reported by [http://www.placeboworld.co.uk/archive/times_march03.html PlaceboWorld.co.uk] ; last accessed January 8, 2007.]

Rock Sound reasoned that the track's "kick ass romp"Perrone, Pierre. "Sleeping with Ghosts", album review, March 2003, Rock Sound magazine, reported by [http://www.placeboworld.co.uk/archive/rocksound2.html PlaceboWorld.co.uk] ; last accessed January 8, 2007.] reinforces "their status as purveyors of pure indie pop in the vein of The Smiths."Perrone, Pierre. "Sleeping with Ghosts", album review, March 2003, Rock sound magazine, reported by [http://www.placeboworld.co.uk/archive/rocksound2.html PlaceboWorld.co.uk] ; last accessed January 8, 2007.] However, NME saw differing influences woven in the track, reporting that "The Bitter End" "sees Placebo powering along with a relentless U2- chasing-after-The Cure melody that's as infectious as 24." [Watson, Ian. "Placebo : The Bitter End", single review, March 2003, at [http://www.nme.com/reviews/placebo/7023 NME.com] ; last accessed January 8, 2007.]

Summarising Placebo's 2004 singles collection, "Once More with Feeling", BBC.co.uk's Nottingham music reviewer Jaime Gill stated that "each song stems from a songwriter so instinctive and precise that when he writes a song called "The Bitter End", that's exactly what it sounds like." [Gill, Jaime. "Placebo - Once More With Feeling (The Singles)", album review, 2 November 2004, at [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/articles/2004/11/02/entertainment_music_recording_reviews_2004_11_placebo_feature.shtml BBC.co.uk] ; last accessed January 8, 2007.]

Music video

The music video sees the band playing in the dish of the Lovell Telescope, one of the largest radio telescopes. Halfway through the video, it displays an infra-red image of a couple chasing after each other. They eventually catch each other up and kiss against a wall. Near the end of the video, the band is rained upon. It was filmed in close to Stockport in Cheshire, England.

Track listing

CD1

# "The Bitter End"
# "Daddy Cool"
# "Teenage Angst" (piano version)
# "The Bitter End" (video)

CD2

# "The Bitter End"
# "Evalia"
# "Drink You Pretty"

7 inch

1. "The Bitter End"
2. "Daddy Cool"

Formats

"The Bitter End" was released on 10th March 2003 via Elevator Music / Hut Records, Singles from 'Sleeping with Ghosts'. "The Bitter End", at [http://www.placeboworld.co.uk/discography/singles4.html#bitter PlaceboWorld.co.uk] ; last accessed January 7, 2007.] the first single to be culled from Placebo's fourth album "Sleeping with Ghosts". Two CD singles offering differing B-sides were issued, as well as a single in 7" vinyl format. Singles from 'Sleeping with Ghosts'. "The Bitter End", at [http://www.placeboworld.co.uk/discography/singles4.html#bitter PlaceboWorld.co.uk] ; last accessed January 7, 2007.] Later, "The Bitter End" saw inclusion on the November 2004 compilation "".

Key
* B - "The Bitter End"
* D - "Daddy Cool"
* T - "Teenage Angst (piano version)"
* BV - "The Bitter End video"
* E - "Evalia"
* DP - "Drink You Pretty"

Notes