Bittersweet (Hoodoo Gurus song)

"Bittersweet" is a song by Australian rock group Hoodoo Gurus. It was written by Dave Faulkner,^[1] released in June 1985 as the lead single from the group's second studio album, Mars Needs Guitars! It peaked at number 16 in Australia.

"Bittersweet"
Single by Hoodoo Gurus
from the album Mars Needs Guitars!
B-side	"Mars Needs Guitars"
Released	June 1985
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	3:46
Label	Big Time
Songwriter	Dave Faulkner
Producer	Charles Fisher
Hoodoo Gurus singles chronology
"I Want You Back" (1984) "Bittersweet" (1985) "Like Wow - Wipeout!" (1985)

In 2000, Dave Faulkner said: "I vowed to myself that I would write less comic narratives and try to express my sentiments in a more forthright way. I feel I succeeded with 'Bittersweet' though at the time I didn't think that a) the band would want to play it and b) our audience would want to hear it. I was happily wrong on both counts."^[2]

Track listings

7" single (BTS1503)

1. "Bittersweet" (Dave Faulkner) — 3:46
2. "Mars Needs Guitars" (James Baker, Clyde Bramley, Faulkner, Mark Kingsmill and Brad Shepherd)^[1] — 2:51

Personnel

Credited to:

• James Baker — drums
• Clyde Bramley — bass, backing vocals
• Dave Faulkner — lead vocals (track A), guitar
• Mark Kingsmill — drums, cymbals
• Brad Shepherd — guitar, lead vocals (track B), harmonica
• Producer — Charles Fisher
• Engineer — John Bee
• Mastering — Don Bartley

Charts

Chart (1985)	Peak position
Australian (Kent Music Report)[3]	16

Cover versions & others

Courtney Love provided lead vocals for her band Hole's version of "Bittersweet" with Brad Shepard playing guitar and contributing backing vocals at Hole's 1999 Big Day Out performance.^[4]