Bittersweet

Bittersweet by Philip La Rosa

Bittersweet

Released: 2025

Written by: Joshua Britiffe & Philip La Rosa

Produced by: Nic Rollo

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Bittersweet Lyrics

You were like coffee
Bittersweet, layered and addictive
Like reading a story
The hero, adventure and suspense
My prince charming
Oh
You made love songs make sense

We created a language
Now neither of us can speak it
You said you loved my laugh
Taking every chance to hear it
Oh, what a shame
You will never hear it again
Oh, what a shame

Lovin’ you was bittersweet
But you could be so much more
Wonderous and playful
The memories I adore
Petty words like daggers in my mind
But in your silence
You’ve drawn more blood than any crime

We created a language
Now neither of us can speak it
You said you loved my laugh
Taking every chance to hear it
Oh, what a shame
You will never hear it again
Oh, what a shame

We created a language
Now neither of us can speak it
You said you loved my laugh
Taking every chance to hear it
Oh, what a shame
You will never hear it again
Oh, what a shame

What a shame for you

What a shame
What a shame
What a shame
What a shame

More information about Bittersweet

Philip La Rosa released “Bittersweet” on Friday, 18th April 2025.

“Bittersweet” by Philip La Rosa was produced by Nic Rollo.

“Bittersweet” by Philip La Rosa was written by Joshua Britiffe & Philip La Rosa.

You can listen to “Bittersweet” by Philip La Rosa on all streaming platforms.

Listen to “Bittersweet” on Spotify.
Listen to “Bittersweet” on Apple Music.
Listen to “Bittersweet” on YouTube.

Philip La Rosa’s Bittersweet is a soulful and tender ballad that navigates the emotional terrain of love that no longer fits, but still aches to hold onto. With its soft atmosphere and heartfelt storytelling, the track captures the quiet pain of a relationship ending—not in anger, but in the soft, slow realisation that love sometimes outgrows itself. The song lingers in the space between holding on and letting go, where beauty and sadness are inseparable.

The lyrics, penned with Perth poet Joshua Britiffe, are delicate and deeply evocative, weaving together imagery and emotion with poetic grace. Britiffe’s words give voice to the unspoken emotions that often haunt the end of a love story—the words you couldn’t say, the moments you wished could’ve lasted longer, the lingering affection that won’t fully fade. The songwriting is restrained but powerful, capturing the heaviness of goodbye without descending into melodrama. Instead, it embraces vulnerability, honesty, and the quiet dignity of acceptance.

La Rosa’s vocal performance brings the lyrics to life with sensitivity and nuance. His delivery is raw yet controlled, his voice imbued with a sense of reflection and reverence. Rather than perform over the song, he sits within it—allowing every syllable to carry the weight of memory. There’s an intimacy in his tone that makes it feel like a personal confession, as if the listener has been invited into a private moment of quiet reckoning.

The song’s production, handled by Nic Rollo, is subtle, textured, and emotively spacious. Rollo’s arrangement allows the song to unfold gently, layering soft piano, ambient textures, and understated electronic flourishes that give the track its distinct, introspective mood. The production never overwhelms La Rosa’s vocals—instead, it acts as a quiet current underneath, moving the track forward without rushing its emotional arc. This sense of restraint is key to the song’s power. It doesn’t explode; it breathes.

Together, La Rosa, Britiffe, and Rollo have created something quietly devastating and beautifully real. Bittersweet is not just a song about heartbreak—it’s about the emotional aftermath, the residue of love, and the space where fondness and sorrow coexist. It recognises that not all endings are destructive; some are soft, slow, and necessary.

For fans of storytelling in music, Bittersweet is a standout. It’s honest without being heavy-handed, emotional without losing elegance, and poetic without losing clarity. The result is a track that feels timeless in its sentiment—something to return to when words fail, and only music can say what you feel.