"Bitterblue" was reasonably successful in Europe. In Norway, the song debuted at number 7, and remained in the Top 10 for sixteen weeks. It reached its peak of number 2 on its fourth charting week, maintaining this position for a second week behind Michael Jackson's "Black or White". "Bitterblue" spent a further six weeks at number 3.
The song also spent twenty weeks in the Top 30 Singles in Austria, where it peaked at number five. "Bitterblue" also spent 17 weeks[2] in the German charts, where it reached number seventeen. The single was number 15 in Cash Box Pop Singles Looking Ahead, this chart was equivalent to Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100.[3] The single stayed in the European Hot 100 Singles for 15 weeks.
Critical reception
Billboard gave the song a mixed review, stating, "bombastic production, with a rush of bagpipes and a choir of chirping children at the forefront, overpower Tyler's distinctive raspy voice."[4]
A^ Bitterblue did not enter the Cash Box Top 100, but peaked Cash Box Pop Singles Looking Ahead chart at number 15.[17] It also charted on the adult contemporary airplay charts, peaking at number 32.[18]
