Hard to Say I'm Sorry

"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
Single by Chicago
from the album Chicago 16
B-side	"Sonny Think Twice"
Released	May 27, 1982
Format	7" single
Recorded	1982
Genre	Soft Rock
Length	5:08 (Album Version, with "Get Away") 3:51 (Alternate Edit) 3:50 (Single Version)
Label	Full Moon/Warner Bros.
Writer(s)	Peter Cetera and David Foster
Producer	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 1982 Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit ballad performed by American rock group Chicago, written by band member Peter Cetera and producer David Foster from the album Chicago 16, released in 1982. The song hit number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 11 of that year. It was their first top 50 hit since "No Tell Lover" in 1978.

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 more polished and modern feel. There were minimal horns on the track, instead featuring more layered synthesizers and heavier distorted electric guitars in a more updated 1980s fashion. 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 Cetera and new member Bill Champlin.

Music video

The music video, itself using the album version, was shot in Greece. In Chicago performing the act with some studio musicians, the song in the video version with the transition to the track "Get Away" then you can see a Ferris wheel.

Charts

Chart (1982/83)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	1
Canadian Singles Chart	1
UK Singles Chart	4
Irish Singles Chart	1
German Singles Chart	6
Austrian Singles Chart	5
Swiss Singles Chart	1
Dutch Top 40	22
Italian Singles Chart	1
New Zealand Singles Chart	13

Preceded by "Even the Nights Are Better" by Air Supply	Billboard Adult Contemporary (chart) number-one single August 21, 1982 – September 4, 1982	Succeeded by "Blue Eyes" by Elton John
Preceded by "Abracadabra" by Steve Miller Band	Billboard Hot 100 number one single September 11, 1982 - September 18, 1982	Succeeded by "Abracadabra" by Steve Miller Band
Preceded by "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor	Canadian Singles Chart September 11, 1982 - September 18, 1982	Succeeded by "Jack & Diane" by John Mellencamp
Preceded by "Abracadabra" by Steve Miller Band	Swiss number-one single September 26, 1982 - October 3, 1982	Succeeded by "I Know There's Something Going On" by Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Preceded by "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor	Irish Singles Chart October 2, 1982 - October 9, 1982	Succeeded by "Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth
Preceded by "Der Kommissar" by Falco	Italian Singles Chart number-one single January 1, 1983 - January 7, 1983	Succeeded by "Words" by F. R. David

Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera version

"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
Single by Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera
from the album Az Yet
Released	February 4, 1997
Format	CD
Recorded	1996
Genre	R&B Adult Contemporary
Length	3:14
Label	LaFace Records
Writer(s)	Peter Cetera and David Foster
Producer	Babyface
Az Yet feat. 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-ten on the Billboard Hot 100. The single reached platinum status 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) 3:17
2. Hard To Say I'm Sorry (Album Version) 3:14

Charts

Chart (1997)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	8
U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40	9
Canadian Singles Chart	26
UK Singles Chart	7
German Singles Chart	72
Dutch Top 40	3
Swedish Singles Chart	59
New Zealand Singles Chart	1
Australian Singles Chart	5

Preceded by "I Shot the Sheriff" by Warren G

New Zealand Singles Chart April 27, 1997 - May 4, 1997

Succeeded by "Don't Leave Me" by Blackstreet

Other cover versions

• 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, the song was covered by Keith Harkin from Celtic Thunder on his album, It's entertainment.
• In 2010, Yuna Ito recorded a cover version of the song as a part of her project Yuna Ito ~ Respects, the third cover of the project, released on September 29.

Sampling

• German eurotrance group Aquagen sampled the verses of the song (omitting the chorus) on the 2002 album Weekender. 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

• List of RPM number-one singles of 1982
• List of number-one hits of 1982 (Switzerland)
• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1982 (U.S.)
• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1982 (U.S.)