"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
Artwork for Italian release
Single by Chicago
from the album Chicago 16
B-side"Sonny Think Twice"
Released17 May 1982
GenreSoft rock,[1][2]
Length
  • 5:06 (album version, with "Get Away")
  • 3:42 (single version)
LabelFull Moon, Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Peter Cetera, David Foster
Producer(s)David Foster
Chicago singles chronology
"Song for You"
(1980)		 "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
(1982)		 "Love Me Tomorrow"
(1982)
Music video
"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" on YouTube

"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

Certifications and sales

Certifications for "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[37] Gold 50,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[38] Gold 50,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[39] Gold 100,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] Silver 250,000^
United States (RIAA)[41] Gold 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Az Yet version

"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
Single by Az Yet featuring Peter Cetera
from the album Az Yet
ReleasedFebruary 3, 1997 (1997-02-03)
GenreR&B
Length3:17
Label
Songwriter(s)Peter Cetera, David Foster
Producer(s)Babyface
Az Yet singles chronology
"Last Night"
(1996)		 "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
(1997)		 "You're the Inspiration"
(1997)
Music video
"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" on YouTube

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.[42] A remix version by David Foster[43] was released as a single on February 3, 1997 and features vocals from Peter Cetera.[43][44] Foster won a BMI Pop Award for this version.[45] The song peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.[46] It reached platinum status[47] and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Performance by an R&B Group or Duo with Vocal.[48][49] 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

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[74] Platinum 70,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[75] Platinum 10,000*
United States (RIAA)[76] Platinum 1,100,000[77]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States January 7, 1997 Rhythmic contemporary radio [78]
February 3, 1997
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
United Kingdom June 9, 1997 [79]

Other versions

  • In 1983, Hong Kong singer Leslie Cheung released a Cantonese cover version with Chinese title "難以再說對不起" for his album 風繼續吹.
  • In 2003, German electronic dance music group Aquagen sampled "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" for their song of the same title. This version reached No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart.[80]
  • In 2015, country music singer Tim McGraw released a "behind-the-scenes" video of him and his band performing "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" as a warm-up for his show in Chicago. At the end of the song he turns to the camera and says, "Hello, Chicago."[81]
  • In January 2017, Roger Federer tweeted a video of him singing the song with fellow professional tennis players Tommy Haas and Grigor Dimitrov, with David Foster at the piano, while at the Australian Open. Haas is the son-in-law of Foster.[82]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Chicago – The Collection". AllMusic. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  2. ↑ Go, Justin (February 1, 2012). "Jazz-rock-fusion group Chicago reflects on a 45-year career". National Post. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  3. ↑ Chicago 16 (audio CD liner notes). Rhino Entertainment Company. 2006. R2 74090. This album was first issued as Full Moon/Warner Bros. #23689 (5/26/82)
  4. ↑ "The Hot 100 - 1982 Archive | Billboard Charts Archive". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Chicago – Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  6. ↑ Grein, Paul (January 19, 1985). "Chart Beat: Springsteen's 'U.S.A.' returns to the top following Purple Reign". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 3. New York, NY: Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 6. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  7. ↑ "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Chicago". GRAMMY.com. May 14, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA: Artists: Chicago". RIAA. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  11. ↑ Dobrin, Gregory (May 19, 1984). "ASCAP Celebrates 70th Anniversary With First Pop Awards Dinner, Gala" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XLVI, no. 50. George Albert. pp. 14, 29. Retrieved March 5, 2019 – via AmericanRadioHistory.com.
  12. ↑ Fortes, Michael (March 29, 2013). "The Popdose Guide to Chicago". Popdose.com. PopDose. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Top Single Picks". Billboard. June 5, 1982. p. 67. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  14. ↑ DeKNOCK, JAN (August 1, 1986). "Cetera At No. 1 With 'Glory Of Love'". tribunedigital-sunsentinel. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  15. ↑ "AFI: Summer Lovers". Afi.com. American Film Institute. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  16. ↑ Grein, Paul (January 26, 1985). "Record of the Year: Chicago Sustaining Comeback Momentum". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 4. New York, NY: Billboard Publications, Inc. pp. 6, 79. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  17. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  18. ↑ "Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Austriancharts.at". Austriancharts.at (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry". Ultratop (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  20. ↑ "50 Singles". RPM. 36 (4). September 11, 1982. ISSN 0033-7064. Archived from the original on December 28, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. August 28, 1982. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Top 100 Single". Charts.de (in German). Media Control. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  23. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Hard to Say I'm Sorry". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved May 28, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Chicago".
  25. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  26. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Hitparade.ch". Hitparade.ch (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  28. ↑ "1982-10-09 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive | Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Chicago Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  30. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1982". Kent Music Report. January 3, 1983. Retrieved January 22, 2023 – via Imgur.
  31. ↑ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – 1982". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Top Annuali Single 1982". Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1982". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  35. ↑ Rees, Dafydd; Lazell, Barry; Jones, Alan (1983). "The Top 100 UK Singles". Chart File Volume 2. London, England: Virgin Books. pp. 80–81. ISBN 0-907080-73-1.
  36. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Platinum and Gold Singles 1982". Kent Music Report. February 28, 1983. Retrieved November 10, 2021 – via Imgur.
  38. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry". Music Canada. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Japanese digital single certifications – シカゴ – 素直になれなくて" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 5, 2023. Select 2014年2月 on the drop-down menu
  40. ↑ "British single certifications – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  41. ↑ "American single certifications – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  42. ↑ Bronson, Fred (March 8, 1997). "Az Yet Not Sorry It Redid Chicago Hit". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 10. Howard Lander. p. 78. Retrieved August 16, 2017 – via Google Books.
  43. 1 2 Taylor, Chuck (July 12, 1997). "For Former Chicago Crooner Cetera, Making Hits Is A Hard Habit To Break". Billboard. BPI Communications, Inc. p. 85. Retrieved August 16, 2017 – via Google Books.
  44. ↑ Bronson, Fred (October 25, 1997). "Chart Beat: Jackson Lassoes No. 1 With 'Rope'". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 43. p. 102 – via Google Books.
  45. ↑ "ASCAP Honors Gordy; BMI Throws 46th Pop Awards Fete". Billboard. Howard Lander. June 27, 1998. p. 55. Retrieved March 6, 2019 – via Google Books.
  46. ↑ "The Hot 100 for May 3, 1997". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  47. ↑ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA Artist: Az Yet Label: LaFace". RIAA. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  48. ↑ "Az Yet". GRAMMY.com. May 14, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  49. ↑ "Babyface leads nominees for 40th annual Grammy Awards". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Associated Press. January 7, 1998. p. E6. Retrieved August 16, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  50. ↑ "Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera – Hard To Say I'm Sorry". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  51. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3259." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  52. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3275." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 19. May 10, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera – Hard To Say I'm Sorry" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  55. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 16, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  56. ↑ "Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera – Hard To Say I'm Sorry" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  57. ↑ "Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera – Hard To Say I'm Sorry". Top 40 Singles.
  58. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  59. ↑ "Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera – Hard To Say I'm Sorry". Singles Top 100.
  60. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  61. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  62. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. May 3, 1997. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  63. ↑ "Adult Contemporary". Billboard. August 16, 1997. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  64. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. April 19, 1997. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  65. ↑ "Rhythmic Airplay". Billboard. May 10, 1997. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  66. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  67. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  68. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  69. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  70. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  71. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  72. ↑ "Best of '97: Rhythmic Top 40 Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 28, 1997. p. 42.
  73. ↑ "Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 28, 1997. p. 38.
  74. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  75. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Az Yet – Hard to Say I'm Sorry". Recorded Music NZ.
  76. ↑ "American single certifications – Az Yet – Hard to Say I". Recording Industry Association of America.
  77. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 5. January 31, 1998. p. 76. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  78. ↑ "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1177. December 20, 1996. p. 44. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  79. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. June 7, 1997. p. 33. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  80. ↑ "AQUAGEN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  81. ↑ Parton, Chris (August 10, 2015). "See Tim McGraw's Backstage Jam of Classic Chicago Hit". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  82. ↑ Katzowitz, Josh (January 21, 2017). "Roger Federer tweets video that proves maybe he shouldn't start a boy band". The Daily Dot. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
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