Ed Harcourt, born on August 14, 1977, is a British singer-songwriter from L… Read Full Bio ↴Ed Harcourt, born on August 14, 1977, is a British singer-songwriter from Lewes, East Sussex. Before he went solo, he played the bass and keyboards in a band called Snug.

Signed to Heavenly Recordings, he debuted in 2000 with the 6-track EP Maplewood. His full length effort, Here Be Monsters followed in 2001.

He has since released From Every Sphere (2003), Strangers (2004), The Beautiful Lie (2006, his last for Heavenly), Lustre (2010), Back Into The Woods (2013), Time Of Dust (2014), and Furnaces (2016).

His first instrument is the piano, but he also uses several less common keyboard instruments as well as the guitar. Live, he is accompanied by a band typically comprising a drummer, guitarist, violinist and trumpeter. His work is sometimes reminiscent of Tom Waits but still entirely his own, varied and passionate style.

Bittersweetheart
Ed Harcourt Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I could only see straight
I wouldn't be lonely these days
I'd drag my body out of this place
And every Sunday I sleep
And pray that my soul will keep
For I'll sit in the river and let the water creep

Bittersweetheart, bittersweetheart

You've been good to me
Bittersweetheart, bittersweetheart
You've been good to me

Well I've travelled around the earth
And still I wonder if I'm the first
Human being who questions his worth
And every word that you speak
Makes my heart sing when it's weak
For often this outlook on life can be bleak

Bittersweetheart, bittersweetheart
You've been good to me
Bittersweetheart, bittersweetheart
You've been good to me

Bittersweetheart, bittersweetheart
You've been good to me

Overall Meaning

The song "Bittersweetheart" by Ed Harcourt is a contemplative and introspective piece that touches on themes of loneliness, uncertainty, and the search for meaning in life. The opening lines express the desire for clarity and a sense of direction, as the singer laments the distorted view of the world caused by his emotional turmoil. He wishes to escape his current circumstances and find a sense of purpose that will bring him out of his isolation.

The chorus of the song refers to a "bittersweetheart," suggesting a complex and contradictory figure that has brought both joy and pain into the singer's life. This may represent a specific person or an archetypal idea of love that is simultaneously life-affirming and full of challenges. The appreciation of this bittersweet nature suggests a mature perspective on the nature of relationships and the complexity of human emotions.

The second verse continues the theme of existential questioning, with the singer wondering whether his experiences are unique or whether others have gone through similar struggles. He finds solace in the words of his confidante, whose understanding and empathy provide a counterbalance to his despondent thoughts. Overall, "Bittersweetheart" is a melancholy yet ultimately hopeful song that recognizes the challenges of life while also valuing the connections that sustain us through difficult times.

Line by Line Meaning

If I could only see straight
If I could only be clear-headed

I wouldn't be lonely these days
I wouldn't feel alone in my life right now

I'd drag my body out of this place
I would remove myself from this situation that's causing me pain

And every Sunday I sleep
Every Sunday, I rest

And pray that my soul will keep
And hope that my spirit will remain intact

For I'll sit in the river and let the water creep
Because I'll sit near the water and let it wash over me

Bittersweetheart, bittersweetheart
Dear love of my life who brings me both joy and pain

You've been good to me
You've been kind to me overall

Well I've travelled around the earth
I've journeyed far and wide

And still I wonder if I'm the first
And yet, I still question whether I'm unique

Human being who questions his worth
As a human, I contemplate my value in this world