Hard to Say I'm Sorry explained

Hard to Say I'm Sorry
Cover:Hard To Say I´m Sorry Single cover.jpg
Caption:Italian picture sleeve
Type:single
Artist:Chicago
Album:Chicago 16
B-Side:Sonny Think Twice
Released:17 May 1982
Genre:Soft rock[1] [2]
Length:
  • 5:06 (album version, with "Get Away")
  • 3:42 (single version)
Label:Full Moon, Warner Bros.
Producer:David Foster
Prev Title:Song for You
Prev Year:1980
Next Title:Love Me Tomorrow
Next Year:1982

"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" is a 1982 power ballad by the group Chicago. It was written by bassist Peter Cetera, who also sang the lead vocals on the track, and producer David Foster.[3] It was released on May 17, 1982, as the lead single from the album Chicago 16. On September 11 it reached No. 1 for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] [5] It was the group's second No. 1 single.[6] It was their first top 50 hit since "No Tell Lover" in 1978 and it spent twelve weeks in the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100.[7] [8] The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal,[9] and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in September of the same year.[10] Songwriter Cetera, a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), won an ASCAP Pop Music Award for the song in the category, Most Performed Songs.[11]

History

The song, as well as the album on which it is featured, was a marked departure from Chicago's traditional soft rock, horn-driven sound, taking on a polished and modern feel. With minimal horns, the track instead featured more layered synthesizers and heavier distorted guitar in a 1980s power ballad styling. A second movement of the song, "Get Away", prominently does feature the Chicago horns, and it was co-written by Robert Lamm.[12]

Deviating from Chicago's practice of having mostly band members playing on their albums, "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" featured several session musicians. The song featured producer David Foster on the piano, Michael Landau and Chris Pinnick on guitars as well as two members of the American rock band Toto, including David Paich and Steve Porcaro both contributing synthesizers. The song's vocals were performed by Peter Cetera, who also plays acoustic guitar. The only other member of Chicago besides Cetera that played on the track was drummer Danny Seraphine.

Billboard called it a "stately pop ballad" with "even more of an orchestral sweep than usual."[13]

The song was also featured as the ending theme in the movie and soundtrack for Summer Lovers,[14] a 1982 film written and directed by Randal Kleiser, starring Peter Gallagher, Daryl Hannah and Valerie Quennessen, and filmed on location on the island of Santorini, Greece.[15]

Music video

Chicago made a music video for the song. According to Cetera, the videos for "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and "Love Me Tomorrow" were shot on the same day.[16] The band appears in a black colored room with diamonds on the wall.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1982)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[17] 4
Austrian Singles Chart[18] 5
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[19] 15
Canada RPM Top Singles[20] 1
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[21] 1
German Singles Chart[22] 6
Italy (Musica e Dischi)[23] 1
New Zealand Singles Chart[24] 13
South Africa (Springbok)[25] 14
Swiss Singles Chart[26] 1
UK Singles Chart[27] 4
US Adult Contemporary1

Year-end charts

Chart (1982)!scope="col"
Rank
Australia (Kent Music Report)[28] [29] 10
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[30] 9
Italy (FIMI)[31] 7
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 5
UK Singles (OCC)[33] 27
US Billboard Hot 100[34] 10

Az Yet version

Hard to Say I'm Sorry
Cover:Hard to Say I'm Sorry by Az Yet.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Az Yet featuring Peter Cetera
Album:Az Yet
Genre:R&B
Length:3:17
Producer:Babyface
Chronology:Az Yet
Prev Title:Last Night
Prev Year:1996
Next Title:You're the Inspiration
Next Year:1997

American R&B group Az Yet included a cover version of "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" on their 1996 self-titled debut album, which was produced by Babyface.[35] A remix version by David Foster[36] was released as a single on February 3, 1997 and features vocals from Peter Cetera.[36] [37] Foster won a BMI Pop Award for this version.[38] The song peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.[39] It reached platinum status[40] and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Performance by an R&B Group or Duo with Vocal.[41] [42] Aside from the David Foster remix, the single includes the album version (without Cetera), an a cappella version, and an extended remix.

Track listing

CD-single

  1. "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (David Foster Remix featuring Peter Cetera) 3:18
  2. "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Album Version) 3:14
  3. "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Acappella) 3:14
  4. "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Chase Extended Mix) 5:14

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1997)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[43] 64
US Billboard Hot 100[44] 8
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[45] 14
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[46] 20
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 9

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)Position
Australia (ARIA)[48] 31
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[49] 11
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[50] 28
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[51] 13
US Billboard Hot 100[52] 19
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[53] 60
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[54] 20
US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)[55] 31

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesRhythmic contemporary radio[56]
United Kingdom[57]

Other versions

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stephen Thomas . Erlewine . Stephen Thomas Erlewine . Chicago – The Collection . . January 26, 2016 .
  2. News: Justin . Go . Jazz-rock-fusion group Chicago reflects on a 45-year career . February 1, 2012 . . January 26, 2016.
  3. Chicago 16. Chicago 16. 2006. audio CD liner notes. Rhino Entertainment Company . R2 74090. This album was first issued as Full Moon/Warner Bros. #23689 (5/26/82).
  4. News: The Hot 100 - 1982 Archive Billboard Charts Archive. Billboard. February 8, 2017. en.
  5. Web site: Chicago – Awards. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. August 17, 2012.
  6. Grein. Paul. Chart Beat: Springsteen's 'U.S.A.' returns to the top following Purple Reign . Billboard. New York, NY. January 19, 1985. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 97. 3. 6. May 12, 2019.
  7. The Hot 100 Chart. Billboard. April 24, 2021.
  8. The Hot 100 Chart. Billboard. April 24, 2021.
  9. News: Chicago. May 14, 2017. GRAMMY.com. July 23, 2017. en.
  10. News: Gold & Platinum - RIAA: Artists: Chicago. RIAA. July 23, 2017. en-US.
  11. Dobrin. Gregory. ASCAP Celebrates 70th Anniversary With First Pop Awards Dinner, Gala. Cash Box . XLVI. 50. George Albert . 14, 29 . May 19, 1984 . AmericanRadioHistory.com. March 5, 2019 .
  12. Web site: The Popdose Guide to Chicago. Fortes. Michael. March 29, 2013. Popdose.com. PopDose. June 29, 2019.
  13. Billboard. Top Single Picks. June 5, 1982. 67. 2023-01-27.
  14. News: Cetera At No. 1 With 'Glory Of Love'. DeKNOCK. JAN. August 1, 1986. tribunedigital-sunsentinel. February 16, 2017. en. February 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216180207/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-08-01/features/8602150072_1_top-gun-danger-zone-higher-love. dead.
  15. Web site: AFI: Summer Lovers. Afi.com. American Film Institute. July 23, 2017.
  16. Grein. Paul. Record of the Year: Chicago Sustaining Comeback Momentum. Billboard. New York, NY. January 26, 1985. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 97. 4. 6, 79. July 23, 2017.
  17. Book: Kent, David. Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book. St Ives, NSW. 1993. 0-646-11917-6 . Kent Music Report.
  18. Web site: Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Austriancharts.at . Austriancharts.at . Hung Medien . de . January 15, 2013.
  19. Web site: Ultratop.be – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry . . Hung Medien . nl . January 15, 2013.
  20. September 11, 1982 . 50 Singles . . 36 . 4 . 0033-7064 . January 15, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121228014032/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php . December 28, 2012 . dead .
  21. Web site: Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada . Collectionscanada.gc.ca . August 28, 1982 . March 10, 2018.
  22. Web site: Top 100 Single . Charts.de . . de . January 15, 2013.
  23. Web site: Classifiche. Musica e Dischi. it. May 28, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Chicago".
  24. Web site: Charts.org.nz – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry . charts.nz . Hung Medien . January 15, 2013.
  25. Web site: SA Charts 1965–March 1989. September 2, 2018.
  26. Web site: Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Hitparade.ch . Hitparade.ch . Hung Medien . de . January 15, 2013.
  27. Web site: 1982-10-09 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive | Official Charts . . January 15, 2013.
  28. Web site: National Top 100 Singles for 1982 . . . 445 . January 3, 1983 . January 22, 2023 .
  29. Web site: Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – 1982 . Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien . April 17, 2017.
  30. Web site: Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada. collectionscanada.gc.ca. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160811145442/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6167&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062. August 11, 2016.
  31. Web site: Top Annuali Single 1982. January 31, 2022.
  32. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1982 . Swisscharts.com. April 24, 2021.
  33. Book: Dafydd . Rees . Barry . Lazell . Alan . Jones . The Top 100 UK Singles . Chart File Volume 2 . Virgin Books . London, England . 80–81 . 1983 . 0-907080-73-1.
  34. Web site: Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982 . Musicoutfitters.com . October 31, 2016.
  35. News: Bronson. Fred. Az Yet Not Sorry It Redid Chicago Hit. March 8, 1997. Billboard. Howard Lander. 109. 10. 78. August 16, 2017. Google Books.
  36. News: For Former Chicago Crooner Cetera, Making Hits Is A Hard Habit To Break. Taylor. Chuck. July 12, 1997. Billboard . BPI Communications, Inc. . 85 . August 16, 2017. Google Books.
  37. News: Chart Beat: Jackson Lassoes No. 1 With 'Rope'. Bronson. Fred. October 25, 1997. Billboard. 43. 109. 102. Google Books.
  38. News: ASCAP Honors Gordy; BMI Throws 46th Pop Awards Fete. June 27, 1998. Billboard . Howard Lander . 55 . March 6, 2019. Google Books.
  39. The Hot 100 for May 3, 1997. Billboard. Billboard. February 7, 2017.
  40. News: Gold & Platinum - RIAA Artist: Az Yet Label: LaFace. RIAA. February 7, 2017. en-US.
  41. News: Az Yet. May 14, 2017. GRAMMY.com. August 16, 2017. en.
  42. News: . Babyface leads nominees for 40th annual Grammy Awards. January 7, 1998. The Cincinnati Enquirer. Associated Press. E6. August 16, 2017. Newspapers.com.
  43. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 14. 19. 16. May 10, 1997. August 25, 2021.
  44. Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. May 3, 1997. August 24, 2023.
  45. Adult Contemporary. Billboard. August 16, 1997. subscription. August 24, 2023.
  46. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. April 19, 1997. subscription. August 24, 2023.
  47. Rhythmic Airplay. Billboard. May 10, 1997. subscription. August 24, 2023.
  48. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997. Australian Recording Industry Association. March 6, 2020.
  49. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997. Dutch Top 40. March 6, 2020.
  50. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997. MegaCharts. nl. March 6, 2020.
  51. Web site: End of Year Charts 1997. Recorded Music NZ. December 4, 2017.
  52. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 1997. billboardtop100of.com. April 19, 2021.
  53. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1997. Billboard. October 20, 2021. August 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150803035318/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs. dead.
  54. Best of '97: Rhythmic Top 40 Singles. Airplay Monitor. 5. 52. 42. December 28, 1997.
  55. Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles. Airplay Monitor. 5. 52. 38. December 28, 1997.
  56. New Releases. Radio & Records. 1177. 44. December 20, 1996. August 25, 2021.
  57. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 33. June 7, 1997. August 25, 2021.
  58. Web site: AQUAGEN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company . .
  59. News: See Tim McGraw's Backstage Jam of Classic Chicago Hit. Parton. Chris. August 10, 2015. Rolling Stone. February 8, 2017.
  60. News: Roger Federer tweets video that proves maybe he shouldn't start a boy band. Katzowitz. Josh. January 21, 2017. The Daily Dot. February 8, 2017. en.

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