| "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) |
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| Label | Full Moon/Warner Bros. | |||
| Writer(s) | Peter Cetera and David Foster | |||
| Producer | David Foster | |||
| Certification | Gold (RIAA) | |||
| Chicago singles chronology | ||||
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"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.
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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.
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".
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.
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.[1]
| 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 |
| "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 |
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| Length | 3:14 | |||
| Label | LaFace Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Peter Cetera and David Foster | |||
| Producer | Babyface | |||
| Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera singles chronology | ||||
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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[2] and was nominated for a Grammy Award (Best Performance by an R&B Group or Duo).
CD-Single
| 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 |