[3] According to Margaret Wappler of the Los Angeles Times, its introduction is composed of "anguished" piano notes and "gut-socking" moans.

[3] Margaret Wappler of the Los Angeles Times said Fantasia's best moment on Back to Me was "Bittersweet", stating that it was "smartly chosen as the album’s first single.

"[4] Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly recommended the song as a download from the album, calling it an "old-school slow jam.

"[3] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine was less enthusiastic of the song, commenting that it "barely has a melodic line" and that it "just lets Fantasia do what she can with its bathetic series of clichés.

"[6] To promote the track, Fantasia has appeared on shows such as American Idol, Lopez Tonight and Good Morning America.