Bitter Desire

"Bitter Desire" is a song by Australian pop/new wave group Kids in the Kitchen. The song was released in April 1984 as the second single from their debut studio album Shine (1985). The song peaked at number 17 on the Australian Kent Music Report.

"Bitter Desire"
Single by Kids in the Kitchen
from the album Shine
Released	2 April 1984[1]
Recorded	1984
Studio	AAV, Melbourne
Genre	Electronic, new wave
Length	3:45
Label	Mushroom Records
Songwriter(s)	Bruce Curnow, Craig Harnath, Greg Dorman, Greg Woodhead, Scott Carne
Producer(s)	David Kershenbaum
Kids in the Kitchen singles chronology
"Change in Mood" (1983) "Bitter Desire" (1984) "Something That You Said" (1985)

On 15 April 1984, the group performed "Bitter Desire" at the annual Countdown Music and Video Awards, where they were nominated for 'Most Promising New Talent' and 'Best Debut Single' for "Change in Mood".^[2]

Line-up changes

By the time of the single's release and despite appearing in the videoclip for it, lead guitarist Greg Dorman and keyboardist Greg Woodhead had departed the line-up to be replaced by Claude Carranza and Alistair Coia, respectively.

Reception

Countdown Magazine said at the time of release, "if "Change in Mood" had been merely promising, "Bitter Desire" should seal [their] fate. That record is simply the best Australian single so far this year, and displays a depth of inspiration beyond any mere beginner's luck."^[3]

Track listing

7" (K9353)

• Side A "Bitter Desire" - 3:45
• Side B "Hunting and Haunting" - 3:42

12"' (X13147)

• Side A1 "Bitter Desire" (Kitchen Mix) - 5:48
• Side B1 "Bitter Desire" (instrumental) - 3:45
• Side B2 "Hunting and Haunting" (instrumental) - 3:42

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4]	17

Year-end charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5]	87

References

1. "Kent Music Report No 510 – 2 April 1984 > Singles: New Releases". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Imgur.com.
2. "Countdown Show No.: 2a Date: 15/4/1984". Countdown Archives. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
3. Russell Handley (August 1984). "The Kid with the Talking Head". Countdown Magazine. Vol. 2, no. 12.
4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 166. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
5. "Kent Music Report No 548 – 31 December 1984 > National Top 100 Singles for 1984". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Imgur.com.