Top 5 Apology Songs (MSNBC)

[Brian Damage]

“Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” Elton John
Though released in 1976 on the “Blue Moves” LP, this bittersweet ballad by Elton John and Bernie Taupin fits right in with our current Apology Nation. These days, admitting your failings are routine, an absolute must for your career, be you celebrity, politician, radio personality, evangelical minister or even Pope. Certainly John’s soulful delivery sounds repentant. But listen past the detailed orchestration carrying this solid standard. The real meaning of Taupin’s self-pitying lyrics comes moping through: “What have I got to do to make you love me / What do I have to do to make you care?” Like a six–year-old, the singer is sorry — sorry he’s in trouble. Now, how can he manipulate you away from being mad?

[Brian Damage]

“I’m Sorry” Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee recorded “I’m Sorry” song in 1960 when she was only 14. The song, written by Dub Albritton and Ronnie Self, seems at the surface to be straight forward and concise. Yet Lee’s sophisticated-beyond-her-years delivery imbue the lyrics with a subtle double meaning: “I’m sorry, so sorry please accept my apology / But love is blind and I was too blind to see.” There’s that “but.” It’s easy to imagine that “but” being followed by any popular movie star or congressman rejoinder: “but I’m an alcoholic,” “but I have rage issues,” or the Don Imus favorite, “but I was only kidding — and those rappers say it too!”

[Brian Damage]

“I Apologize” Husker Du
According to Ali MacGraw’s character in the 1970 movie “Love Story,” “Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” Not so for the Husker Du boys in this angry little ditty from the band’s 1985 LP, “New Day Rising.” Delivered with ear-stunning velocity, “I Apologize” is far too honest for today’s crop of apologists. And it certainly has a better understanding than “Love Story” on how relationships really work: “I Apologize / Said I’m sorry / Now it’s our turn / Can you look me in the eyes and apologize?” One can almost imagine Alec Baldwin screaming these lyrics at Kim Basinger after the recent voicemail fiasco. Almost.

[Brian Damage]

“Divorce Song” Liz Phair
“Divorce Song,” which appears on the Liz Phair’s 1993 debut, “Exile in Guyville,” could just as easily have been called “All Over But The Shouting.” It’s not so much about apologizing for something specific. And unlike the other songs in this list, this lyric has no mention of the words “apologize” or “sorry.” Rather, “Divorce Song” is about feeling generally sorry for the things that happened in a relationship and the way it all turned out. Sure there’s accusation in the words: “It’s true that I stole your lighter / And its also true that I lost the map / But when you said that I wasn’t worth talking to / I had to take your word on that.” But the singer willingly shares the burden of blame with the subject. These days, how often do you get that?

[Brian Damage]

“The Apology Song” The Decemberists
Here then is one of those rare things almost never found in human nature: A legitimate apology In fact, legend has it that’s exactly what “The Apology Song” really is. Before it was the final track on the 2001 Decemberists EP “5 Songs,” this song was allegedly left on the answering machine of the Steven mentioned in the song, a heartfelt apology for allowing his beloved bike to be stolen. The facts are confessed clearly without excuse or deferred blame: “I’m really sorry Steven / But your bicycle’s been stolen /I was watchin’ it for you / 'Til you came back in the fall / Guess I didn’t do such a good job after all.” We, as a society, could learn a lot from “The Apology Song.”

[Cactus Jack]

So Don Imus's #1 hit "Im Sorry But Yer Still a Nappy Headed Ho"isnt out yet?

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Cactus Jack

So Don Imus's #1 hit "Im Sorry But Yer Still a Nappy Headed Ho"isnt out yet?

Not unless we missed Sharpton and Jackson picketing outside every radio station and music store in the country.

Seriously, I'm surprised Bryan Adams' "Please Forgive Me" didn't make the cut.

[coffield3]

Sorry seems to be the Hardest word by elton john.
sorry-madonna
I apologise Frank Sinatra

[AKA]

All Apologies