For Bitter or Worse
About the album
For Bitter or Worse is Anouk's sixth studio album, released in 2009, and presents a more melodic and polished sound within her catalogue.
Written in the aftermath of Anouk's divorce from Remon Stotijn, the album carries a clear personal and emotional undercurrent. While still rooted in pop and rock, it also draws on elements of blues, soul and jazz, giving it a broader character than some of her earlier work.
Its lead single Three Days in a Row became Anouk's first number-one hit in the Netherlands. Across its twelve tracks, the record places greater emphasis on arrangement, atmosphere and vocal delivery, while maintaining a strong emotional core. A notable visual detail is that Anouk's name appears on the cover as an ambigram.
Before its official release, For Bitter or Worse briefly appeared online in the iTunes Store due to an administrative error, after which it was quickly removed again.
On 17 September 2009, shortly before the album's release, Anouk presented For Bitter or Worse during an intimate showcase at Paradiso in Amsterdam, focusing largely on songs from the new record, which she said felt especially nerve-racking in such a small setting.
Tracklist
12 tracks · 47:34Click a title to view the lyrics
Without you even knowing
Three days in a row
I saw the time just like sunshine
Just be prepared for a hell of a ride
Don't ever doubt 'bout the way you feel
For heaven sake boy I'm beggin' you
I've been loving you
Without you even knowing
Three days in a row
And I haven't seen you since that day
Baby boy, when I saw you the first time
I knew right away that you and I
Were connected in a way
That I could never express in my own words
I just knew at the time
Baby boy it felt so wrong
I belonged to you but it all felt so wrong
I did the things that my heart gave in
Baby I'm telling you
I've been loving you
Without you even knowing
Three days in a row
And I haven't seen you since that day
With loads on our minds
A few good-byes
We could never have given it a real try
But you were in a way in my soul
And at this point of my life I just know
If you let me go baby let it be
Baby believe me
I've been loving you
Without you even knowing
Three days in a row
And I haven't seen you since that day
I'm back babe
When the sky is turnin' grey
You'll be right here
'Cause now I'll back back on
And when I trip and fall
You pick me up
Forget all mistakes that I have made
And all I got love
'Cause I've got love for my friends
I quite some time
They would not hesitate
But I wouldn't do the same
And my point keeps on showing
They save some time
I'll continue with my little obsession
'Cause I'm singing this song for you
And this is my way of letting you know and say 'thank you'
In this world
No one can replace you
Nobody's ever going to erase you
In this world
No one can replace you
Nobody's ever going to keep you yeah yeah
To all the man that I loved in my life
Thank you for letting me know I ain't always right
Back in the days when we said we wouldn't do
And though I was getting tired of the safely old thing
In this world
No one can replace you
Nobody's ever going to erase you
In this world
I stay with you
Whether you're all or you're down
That's what I'll do
In this world
No one can replace you
Nobody's ever going to take you
In this world
No one can replace you
Nobody's ever going to erase you yeah
I can't tell you, you were standing in one place for way too long
What you got don't you know
Got baby
Well have you told your mom
That you won't be coming home
I can get you home now
You call me
Now we're all alone
You make me lose my cool
I can't deny it and I can't pretend
What's ours is what I discover
While I know that somebody else can see
Here we stand
I believe that we can make it through
Take me as I am it's up to you
Think it over now that you still can
Are you tough enough to be my man
Or will you still try to walk away anyway
Wait have you got my heart
Oh baby so take it in
Boy you look so fine baby how about upstairs
You shot me
Right here in my heart
That's how long
Your woman
Heaven and hell
And all the people that I have loved
Disappeared somehow
Covering up my soul
Fear those who do not leave me
Lay it down
When you walked I walked right with you
You were always around
I'm running wild
All the things that I can't stop
I only wish I knew
Now take me to the one I love
With my head held high
Now lay it down
When you walked I walked right with you
I guess that I miss you
I can't help myself they wait
No I don't have to run the rest of my life
Don't give up 'cause it's too hard for me to
I'll make sure I make it up to you
Try not to make the same mistake again
I keep my word and make it work for you
So when I'm trying to say it
Lay it down
8 years
What it all comes down to we will be just fine
Gotta take my time, gotta find my way
Out of this troubled state of mind I say
Sometimes you won't understand the way they play
But it won't break you
I'm gonna make you believe
I'm gonna make you believe
You have to love
I'm gonna make you baby
I'm gonna make you baby baby baby
And I'll be here to love you
And never let go
There's no way to win this life ain't always fair
You still aren't there
Just hold your breath and watch the sun but baby don't get burned
And the love you once asked for in your early day
To be free
I want to hold on to the light
When I free the day is over
The saddest thing of it all is I don't know why I wanna stay where I am
But then I leave
I've got to get something
As I walk I think about every little thing that happens to me
Don't know that life's a pack of lies
Feels like I am wasting time
It makes me cry
So you think you'd like to be in my shoes
Would you like to
Try and walk a day in mine
So you think you'd like to be in my shoes
Would you still like to try and walk a day in mine
I love myself
I am right I get it all
I am right even when I know I'm wrong
It's another crazy day
And why won't I shut my mouth for a while
Sitting alone and looking up the sky
What do you say when it's all over
When everything you've worked hard for is wrong
It's enough to make you cry
And everything you love to sing
Don't know that life's a pack of lies
As I walk I think about every little thing that happens to me
Feels like I am wasting time
It makes me cry
I left things up to you to take them down
It's my way or no way at all
I'm not afraid to lose control
Am I someone you would like to be
So you think you'd like to be in my shoes
Would you like to
Try and walk a day in mine
Would you still like to try and walk a day in mine
You say it is all over
If you got nothing more to say then shut your mouth
Just walk away and leave me quietly
'Cause there's no time to waste
For me to have a taste
Of all the other pretty men who're waiting out there
For me to give them all my love
Now there's no doubt about it honey I still got it
We're together gonna have something
Now there's no time to waste
Know where we gotta go
Down around the water to sail
Now walk on to the bay
We take off all my clothes
Hey baby what do you say
Way how you gonna be like me before
So when I woke up there were 3 of us this morning
You sure know how to play
Ooh honey let me hear you say
I've never ever met a girl this juicy like you before
On how to walk on to the bay
We take off all my clothes
Hey baby what do you say
Way how you gonna be like me before
I've never ever met a girl this juicy like you before
Today (today)
Find us a very crowded place to stay
We'll be making out on the dance floor yeah
Have sex do some drugs yeah let's rock 'n roll
Today
Today
Today
Tell me where and when we'll meet again
'Cause I just forgot a song for you and the flesh you wear
Way up on the dance floor feel it, give me the word
Cover up my eyes because the sun is shining too bright
Today there will be no remorse at all
Today (today)
We'll be making out on the dance floor
Have sex do some drugs yeah let's rock 'n roll
Today (today)
Today (today)
Today (today)
Today
My imagination's playing games
I keep letting you back in my head
The glitter is gone spread your wings and fly
Tryin' to keep it cool now
Baby all I wanted was you
Hold on hold on
There's more to come
No one's ever hurt me more than you
I broken down in two places
And everything I sing is already been sung
Look at all these scars within my skin
Some people find them hard to see
But how old is life when I'm not with you anymore
Hold on hold on
I'm coming
Hold on on lost one
'Cause there's some more
You found yourself another place to hide
And I believe that it's all set and done
I pray to God for you your choice was right
'Cause there's come for me to let us go
Hold on hold on
There's more to come
'Cause there's some more
I won't have to find it a new lover
Don't waste your time to check your mind
What you got don't cover my needs
Can't help myself when I start to show a sign
Good love it's like an addiction
I don't get away
I got to get myself a greater sensation
I need more than you could give me
Don't you know that I'm a lovedrunk
Careful now before I'll break your heart
I will charm you with my own style
Strong enough to make you think I'm yours
Don't make me wait 'cause that would be a crime
I'd have to find someone and I will get what is mine
I keep looking for the better connection
I'll help myself if you don't have the time
You don't give me all that I need
I'll continue with my little obsession
I need more than you could give me
Don't you know that I'm a lovedrunk
Careful now before I'll break your heart
I will charm you with my own style
Strong enough to make you think I'm yours
Listen baby there's something I gotta tell ya
I'm on a mission baby
I'm so intoxicated
Either way
Either way yeah I'm gonna get it get it
And I think it's time that I gave my mind a break
Well maybe I should have walked all along this way
Maybe it was you walking away my head's spinning around
I didn't know what I had baby 'til it was gone
Nothing even matters even matters at all to me
No more
I ain't done much lately
Sleeping and staring at the wall
Watching TV
And even though I'm down still
I have faith in my moon
Strolling back down some pretty street
Reminding my heart and soul that I still love you
Whenever you feel like it you're wearing me out
No matter what you do you're the one I love
Now baby where did you go down tonight
'Cause everything is about to go down tonight
And as I said before
I didn't know what I had baby 'til it was gone
Nothing even matters even matters at all to me
No more
I have faith in my moon
This is what we're gonna do
Let me put my arms around you once more
There's nothing left here to waste
Just walk away just a little bit closer
Break through to the other side
I keep on wondering if you are gonna let me know
There was nothing at the time I could say was sad
What do you say when it's all over
What do you do when it's not with you
What do you say when you're about to give the word
Don't want no flowers don't need love and understanding
What do you say it's about you
The troubles in your mind
What do you do when you get lost inside your soul
What do you do when love's gone
Where do you go when it's all over
It was so hard when I watched you falling down
But now it was time for you to walk alone
And you're feeling that you wouldn't need a friend
And you've gone so far you know you can't go on
Take my hand I will blow your fears away
Back in to the other side
For bitter or worse I knew you better than anyone else you
And I'll be by your side
What do you say when it's all over
What do you do when it's not with you anymore
What do you say when you get lost inside your soul
What do we do when all the love's gone
Where do you go when it's all over
Scream it all because reality
That this is where it ends for you and me
The world will find a way on this
I love you and all your mistakes
If I could do it all again
Wouldn't change a single thing
What do you say when it's all over
What do you do when it's not with you anymore
What do you say when you get lost inside your soul
What do you do when all the love's gone
Where do you go when it's all over