Hard to Say I'm Sorry

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"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
Single by Chicago
from the album Chicago 16
B-side "Sonny Think Twice"
Released May 17, 1982 (1982-05-17)
Format 7" single
Recorded 1982
Genre Soft rock, progressive rock
Length 5:06 (Album Version, with "Get Away")
3:51 (Alternate Edit)
3:40 (Single Version)
Label Full Moon/Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Peter Cetera and David Foster
Producer(s) David Foster
Certification Gold (RIAA)
Chicago singles chronology
"Song for You"
(1980)		 "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
(1982)		 "Love Me Tomorrow"
(1982)

"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" is a song by American rock group Chicago. It was written by band member Peter Cetera and producer David Foster, and released on May 17, 1982 as the lead single from the album Chicago 16. The song hit number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 11 of that year.[1] It was their first top 50 hit since "No Tell Lover" in 1978. In the fall of 1982, while it was moving down the Hot 100, it just left the top 50 within two weeks from #4.

History

The song, as well as the album on which it is featured, was a marked departure from Chicago's traditional soft rock, horns-driven sound, taking on a polished and modern feel. There were minimal horns on the track, instead featuring more layered synthesizers and heavier distorted electric guitars in a contemporary 1980s styling. This was done to revitalize the band that was considered by some to be past its commercial prime at the time.[citation needed]

The album version of "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" segued into a second song titled "Get Away," which was closer to the older horn-driven Chicago sound. Most adult contemporary radio stations at the time did not play the entire album track, however, choosing to cut it off just before "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" segued into "Get Away." About half the Top 40 radio stations played the longer version with "Get Away".[citation needed]

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, as well as three members of the American rock band Toto: Steve Lukather on guitar, while David Paich and Steve Porcaro both contributed synthesizers. The song's vocals were performed by Peter Cetera.

The song was also featured in the movie and soundtrack for Summer Lovers, 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.

Music video

The band appears in a black colored room with diamonds on the wall. Danny Seraphine magically appears from his drum kit.

Personnel

Chart performance

Preceded by Billboard Adult Contemporary (chart) number-one single
August 21, 1982 – September 4, 1982		 Succeeded by
"Blue Eyes" by Elton John
Preceded by Billboard Hot 100 number one single
September 11, 1982 – September 18, 1982		 Succeeded by
"Abracadabra" by Steve Miller Band
Preceded by Canadian Singles Chart
September 11, 1982 – September 18, 1982		 Succeeded by
"Jack & Diane" by John Mellencamp
Preceded by Swiss number-one single
September 26, 1982 – October 3, 1982		 Succeeded by
"I Know There's Something Going On" by Frida

Az Yet version

"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
Single by Az Yet featuring Peter Cetera
from the album Az Yet
Released February 3, 1997 (1997-02-03)
Format CD
Recorded 1996
Genre R&B, adult contemporary
Length 3:17
Label LaFace Records
Writer(s) Peter Cetera and David Foster
Producer(s) Babyface
Az Yet featuring Peter Cetera singles chronology
"Last Night"
(1996)		 "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
(1997)		 "You're the Inspiration"
(1997)

In 1996, the R&B band Az Yet included a cover version on their self-titled debut album. The single, which featured cameo vocals by Peter Cetera, was produced by legendary songwriter Babyface and reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single reached platinum status[13] and was nominated for a Grammy Award (Best Performance by an R&B Group or Duo).

Track listing

CD-Single

  1. "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" (David Foster Remix) 3:18
  2. "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" (Album Version) 3:17

Charts

Chart (1997) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[14] 5
Canadian Singles Chart[15] 26
Dutch Singles Chart[16] 3
German Singles Chart[17] 72
New Zealand Singles Chart[18] 1
Swedish Singles Chart[19] 59
UK Singles Chart[20] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[21] 8
US Rhythmic Top 40[21] 9

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[22] Platinum 70,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[23] Platinum 15,000
United States (RIAA)[24] Platinum 1,100,000[25]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
Preceded by New Zealand Singles Chart
April 27, 1997 – May 4, 1997		 Succeeded by
"Don't Leave Me" by Blackstreet

Other cover versions

  • In 1983, a Czech cover of the song, titled "Černý páv" (The Black Peacock), was recorded by Hana Zagorová feat. Stanislav Hložek and Petr Kotvald
  • In 1999, a Eurodance remix of the song, titled "Hold Me Now", was recorded by DJ Kaos for Dancemania SPEED 3.
  • In 2003, the Canadian boy band b4-4 recorded a cover version included as a bonus track on the "limited edition" of their second album In Your Face.
  • In 2005, Idol 2005 contestant Jonah Hallberg covered the song on the compilation released by the show featuring a song covered by each finalist.
  • In 2007, Irish boy band Westlife covered the song on the B-side to their single "Home", the first single from the album Back Home.
  • In 2008, Barry Manilow covered the song on his album The Greatest Songs of the Eighties.
  • In 2010, Yuna Ito recorded a cover version of the song as part of her project Yuna Ito ~ Respects, the third cover of the project, released on September 29.
  • In 2015, X Factor Indonesia contestant Ramli Nurhappi covered the song competition week 6 theme Love Song.

Sampling

  • German eurodance group Aquagen sampled the verses of the song (omitting the chorus) on the 2002 album Weekender.[26] The song was also remixed in 2009 as "Hard to Say I'm Sorry 2K9" on Aquagen's 2009 album So Far So Good (The Very Best Of).

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-50-singles-1988.htm
  11. ↑ http://www.uk-charts.top-source.info/top-100-1982.shtml
  12. ↑ http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1982.htm
  13. ↑ RIAA Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - Az Yet Singles, Retrieved on 2009-07-16
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Aquagen - Hard To Say I'm Sorry (CD). Discogs.com.

External links

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