"Bittersweet Tragedy" is a song by Melanie Martinez that is featured as the fourth and final track on her debut extended play (EP), Dollhouse, and on her second EP, Pity Party. The song was likely meant to be included on the 2013 EP as well as Melanie's debut album Cry Baby. However, the 2013 EP ended up being scrapped and the song also didn't make the final cut for Cry Baby.
Background[]
On June 25, 2013 and June 26, 2013, Melanie went to the studio with Robopop where she recorded "Bittersweet Tragedy" and "Mistakes".[1] Melanie teased "Bittersweet Tragedy" multiple times, suggesting it was likely going to be released on the 2013 EP, whereas "Mistakes" was likely recorded as a pitch song.[2][3][4]
Later, the song was included on Dollhouse since it fit in the EP's sound and was planned for Cry Baby along with the other songs on the EP, however, both this song and "Dead to Me" were later scrapped.
Theme[]
This song is about the end of one of Melanie's relationships. Despite the hardships experienced during their relationship, she was only focusing on the 'sweet' aspects of it. However, once she realizes how bitter and sour their relationship really was, she ends it. Melanie has stated that "it is the final song on Dollhouse because it sums up the whole EP."[5][6]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Sweet boy, straight out of the movie screen
Candy hearts and chocolate dreams
I met my prince upon a popcorn bowl
He held my heart and let it go
Ice cream, upon a summer's day
Beginning sweetness never stays
Melting through the cracks in my hands
I guess I held on for too long
[Chorus]
I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
And I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
(You're right in front of me)
[Verse 2]
You speak sour lemonade to me
The bitter taste won't let me be
One kiss was supposed to be so sweet
But I found grapefruit in your teeth
Old gum is all you'll ever be to me
I spit you out and brush my teeth
Melting through the cracks in my hands
I guess I held on for too long
[Chorus]
I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
And I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
(You're right in front of me)
[Bridge]
Enough of your bittersweet
Your sugar rots my teeth
Clogs up my arteries
Your bittersweet shit is a tragedy
[Chorus]
I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
And I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
(You're right in front of me)
[Verse 1]
Sweet boy, straight out of the movie screen
Candy hearts and chocolate dreams
I met my prince upon a popcorn bowl
He held my heart and let it go
Ice cream, upon a summer's day
Beginning sweetness never stays
Melting through the cracks in my hands
I guess I held on for too long
[Chorus]
I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
And I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
(You're right in front of me)
[Verse 2]
You speak sour lemonade to me
The bitter taste won't let me be
One kiss was supposed to be so sweet
But I found grapefruit in your teeth
Old gum is all you'll ever be to me
I spit you out and brush my teeth
Melting through the cracks in my hands
I guess I held on for too long
[Chorus]
I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
And I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
(You're right in front of me)
[Bridge]
Enough of your bittersweet
Your sugar rots my teeth
Clogs up my arteries
Your bittersweet shit is a tragedy
[Chorus]
I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
And I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy
It's no fun, when I'm sitting all alone
You're right in front of me
(You're right in front of me)
Official versions[]
| Version | Released on | Release date | Producer(s) | Creation date | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ | Final | Dollhouse • Pity Party | May 19, 2014 | Robopop, One Love | 2013-2014 | 4:47 |
| Instrumental | Unreleased | March 28, 2017 (leaked) | Robopop, One Love | 2013-2014 | 4:47 | |
| Demos | ||||||
| "BITTERSWEET TRAGEDY 1.0.m4a" (demo 1) | Unreleased | Unleaked | Robopop | ~June 25, 2013 | Unknown | |
| "BITTERSWEET TRAGEDY 2.0.m4a" (demo 2) | Unreleased | Unleaked | Robopop | ~June 26, 2013 | Unknown | |
| "BITTERSWEET TRAGEDY 3.0.m4a" (demo 3) | Unreleased | September 10, 2016 (leaked) | Robopop | June 26, 2013 | 4:48 | |
| "BITTERSWEET TRAGEDY 4.0.m4a" (unmixed) | Unreleased | May 13, 2021 (leaked) | Robopop | November 5, 2013 | 4:51 | |
Live performances[]
Festival
One-off performance
- Gramercy Theatre (debut performance)
Televised performance
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- This song was first performed live at Gramercy Theatre on February 15, 2014.
- This is the longest song on both Dollhouse and Pity Party.
- The music box that plays before this song in live performances is the children's lullaby known as "Cradle Song", also commonly known as "Brahms' Lullaby".
- Despite the song having profanity in the lyrics, the song is not considered to be explicit, meaning no official clean version exists.
- On the center label of the Dollhouse vinyl, this song is listed as simply "Bittersweet" instead of the full title.
- This is the only track from Dollhouse and Pity Party produced by Robopop.
References[]
- ↑ https://x.com/shamelesscyn/status/349563239283163139
- ↑ https://x.com/EarthToKiki_/status/350025574875533314
- ↑ https://x.com/heyyitsdenisee/status/349990426775793664
- ↑ https://x.com/geeeohvahnaaa/status/350305622937448448
- ↑ https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/melanie-martinez-the-dollhouse-ep-premiere-stream-voice-6084860/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230622003905/https://www.artistdirect.com/melanie-martinez/interviews/interview-melanie-martinez/3462
[]
v • e  | |
|---|---|
| Featured tracks | Dollhouse • Carousel • Dead to Me • Bittersweet Tragedy |
| Characters | Cry Baby • Mom • Dad • Brother • Little Girl • Alphabet Boy |
| Producers | One Love • Robopop |
| Extras | Merchandise • Infomercial • Pity Party (EP) |
| Locations | Cry Baby's house |
| Tour | Dollhouse Tour |
v • e  | |
|---|---|
| Featured tracks | Pity Party • Dollhouse • Dead to Me • Bittersweet Tragedy |
| Characters | Cry Baby • Mom • Dad • Brother • Little Girl |
| Producers | One Love • CJ Baran • Robopop |
| Related | Dollhouse (EP) |
| v • e 2013 EP | |
|---|---|
| Featured tracks | A Million Men • A Thousand Words • Birthing Addicts • Bittersweet Tragedy • Bones Are Blue • Curly Cue • Dear Porcupines • I Think I'm Crazy • Intervals • Night Mime • Race • Rough Love • Time Flies |
| Related tracks | Can't Shake You • Heart at the Door • Last Chapter (Never Stayed for Love) • Mistakes • Until Sunrise • Wicked Words (with Jared Dylan) |
| Producers | Doveman • John Feldmann • Larzz Principato • Robopop • SmarterChild • Syience |