Daniel John Honors the Grit of Single Motherhood in Soul-Stirring New Single “Bitter”

South African singer-songwriter Daniel John returns with a powerful new release that peels back the layers of love, sacrifice, and emotional fatigue in one of life’s most overlooked struggles, single motherhood. His latest single, “Bitter,” is a moving tribute to the women who give everything for their children, even when the world gives them very little in return.

Born in Pretoria and raised in a musically rich household, Daniel’s journey to artistry has been as dynamic as his sound. From playing double bass in the school orchestra to producing deep house for a local label, his influences span genres and generations. But it’s in the realm of raw, emotionally charged songwriting where Daniel John truly shines. Following the breakout success of his previous singles “Hold On” and “On The Run”,  both of which earned radio support and playlist placements across South Africa, “Bitter” marks a new level of depth and maturity in his evolving catalog.

“Bitter” doesn’t sugarcoat. With delicate production and a hopeful yet haunting instrumental, the song opens a window into the daily reality of mothers who silently shoulder the burden of raising children alone. It’s about the dreams that get deferred, the loneliness that settles in, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going. Daniel doesn’t pretend to have lived it, and that’s exactly what gives the track its integrity.

“I wrote the song with the sole intention of capturing the difficult sacrificial nature of single motherhood. I don’t want people to think I’m pretending to know what it feels like – all I want is for someone going through this to hear the song and feel like someone out there sees them and what they are going through for what it is, without a fake silver lining lecture.”

That intention comes through clearly in every line of “Bitter.” The lyrics strike a balance between poetic and personal, never veering into pity or overproduction. Instead, Daniel offers space; space to feel, space to be seen, and space to breathe.

What makes “Bitter” stand out isn’t just the message, it’s the delivery. Daniel’s voice is sincere and steady, never trying too hard to sell the emotion because the emotion is already baked into the bones of the song. Subtle layers of guitar, ambient textures, and restrained percussion create a soundscape that feels at once intimate and cinematic.

It’s the kind of song you’ll want to sit with, the kind you don’t just hear, but feel. While “Bitter” stands powerfully on its own, Daniel hints that this is only the beginning. With more music on the way, fans can expect continued honesty, sonic growth, and the same heartfelt storytelling that’s quickly turning Daniel John into one of South Africa’s most promising emerging voices.

Whether you’ve walked the path of single parenthood or simply admire the strength it takes, “Bitter” is the kind of song that reminds us music still has the power to say what words alone often can’t.

“Bitter” touches on the emotional and physical toll of single motherhood. What inspired you to write from this perspective, and was there a specific story or person that sparked the song?

At the time of writing, I was struggling for inspiration and couldn’t get much done in terms of songwriting. At this time, a girlfriend of mine came from a household held together by a single mother and no present father. It occurred to me that there have been a number of really special and important women in my life who have all either been or had a single mother. It’s something I have always been around, strangely enough. I know what it can do to mums and the sacrifices that go with it. I was inspired to write something for anyone from a similar background who has seen and knows the toll it takes.

You’ve mentioned that you're not trying to speak for single mothers, but rather to them. How did you navigate writing a song about a deeply personal experience that you haven’t lived yourself?

I was very aware that the goal was not to preach or give a lecture on picking yourself up as a single mother and looking for hope. My view was always that I could sympathise but never truly understand. With that in mind, I really just wanted to write something that in some way could show something listening that I see them and I see the struggle. Sometimes people in really tough situations want to be seen, not lectured. It was here that the lyrical content was born - raw, gritty, honest, and sincere. I wrote what I saw and felt from the outside, having loved and cared for these important women who sacrificed so much.

The production of “Bitter” is subtle but powerful. What was your vision for the sonic landscape of the track, and how did you collaborate with your team to bring it to life?

The original demo was a far darker musical piece and ended up feeling hopeless. While the goal wasn’t to give a message for a “silver lining,” it also wasn’t to bury the listener in despair. As in my previous singles, I have a tendency to contrast the musical and lyrical content, often opting for a more energetic mix. It so happens that the mix gives the underlying feeling that it will be okay in the end and that the sacrifices are all worth it, which is very special for me. We also wanted to incorporate South African elements into the mix and, after a lot of experimentation, went for an energetic beat with a log drum bass line, very popular in South African Amapiano.

Your past singles, like “Hold On” and “On The Run,” have had strong emotional cores too. How do you approach vulnerability in your songwriting without it feeling forced or overly polished?

The male culture in South Africa is often one of “pull yourself together” - men don’t cry. While I’m not shooting down the idea of reliable men, the problem comes in for men who tend to be more emotional or expressive. I am very much in that category, feeling deeply about things I care about and how certain things impact me. Because of the masculine view, I’ve never felt comfortable or safe in pouring my heart out. Music has always given me a medium to let out and pour out. I make a point of only writing what I feel inside and not fabricating feelings just to produce a song. It is also a deeply personal thing for me to write what I feel into a song.

With more music on the way, can fans expect future releases to carry the same emotional weight as “Bitter,” or are you exploring different sounds and stories on the upcoming tracks?

Emotionally, I am definitely not changing anytime soon. It is very much the way I write and produce my music. It is, however, an exciting time being a young artist, and I’m constantly experimenting with sound and ideas to find what it is exactly I like and who I am exactly as an artist. Music is a gift we give to those who want to listen, and I am looking forward to sharing more with anyone who wants to listen!