Hard to Say I'm Sorry

{{Infobox song

| name = Hard to Say I'm Sorry

| cover = Hard To Say I´m Sorry Single cover.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Italian picture sleeve

| type = single

| artist = Chicago

| album = Chicago 16

| B-side = Sonny Think Twice

| released = May 17, 1982

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Soft rock{{cite web|first= Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |author-link= Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title= Chicago – The Collection |website= AllMusic |access-date=January 26, 2016 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-collection-mw0002423164}}{{cite news|first= Justin |last= Go |title= Jazz-rock-fusion group Chicago reflects on a 45-year career |date= February 1, 2012 |newspaper= National Post |url= http://news.nationalpost.com/arts/jazz-fusion-group-chicago-reflects-on-a-45-year-career |access-date=January 26, 2016}}

| length =

5:06 (album version, with "Get Away")
3:42 (single version)

| label = Full Moon, Warner Bros.

| writer = Peter Cetera, David Foster

| producer = David Foster

| prev_title = Song for You

| prev_year = 1980

| next_title = Love Me Tomorrow

| next_year = 1982

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|1A0MPWseJIE|"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"}}}}

}}

"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" is a 1982 power ballad by American rock band Chicago. It was written by bassist Peter Cetera, who also sang the lead vocals on the track, and producer David Foster.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Chicago 16|title-link= Chicago 16|year=2006|type=audio CD liner notes|publisher= Rhino Entertainment Company |id=R2 74090|quote=This album was first issued as Full Moon/Warner Bros. #23689 (5/26/82)}} It was released on May 17, 1982, as the lead single from the album Chicago 16. On September 11 of that year, it reached No. 1 for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1982/hot-100|title=The Hot 100 - 1982 Archive {{!}} Billboard Charts Archive|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=February 8, 2017|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Chicago – Awards|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/chicago-mn0000110161/awards|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=August 17, 2012}} It was the group's second No. 1 single.{{cite magazine|last=Grein|first=Paul|title=Chart Beat: Springsteen's 'U.S.A.' returns to the top following Purple Reign |magazine= Billboard|location= New York, NY|date=January 19, 1985|publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc.|volume=97|number=3|page=6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GSUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT5|access-date=May 12, 2019}} 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.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1982-08-07|title=The Hot 100 Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 24, 2021}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1982-10-16|title=The Hot 100 Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 24, 2021}} The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal,{{Cite news|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/chicago|title=Chicago|date=May 14, 2017|work=GRAMMY.com|access-date=July 23, 2017|language=en}} and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in September of the same year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=CHICAGO&ti=HARD+TO+SAY+I'M+SORRY|title=Gold & Platinum - RIAA: Artists: Chicago|work=RIAA|access-date=July 23, 2017|language=en-US}} 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.{{cite magazine |last= Dobrin|first= Gregory|title= ASCAP Celebrates 70th Anniversary With First Pop Awards Dinner, Gala|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/80s/1984/CB-1984-05-19.pdf |magazine=Cash Box |volume=XLVI|issue=50|publisher=George Albert |pages=14, 29 |date=May 19, 1984 |via=AmericanRadioHistory.com|access-date=March 5, 2019 }}

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.{{Cite web|url=http://popdose.com/the-popdose-guide-to-chicago/|title=The Popdose Guide to Chicago|last=Fortes|first=Michael|date=March 29, 2013|website=Popdose.com|publisher=PopDose|access-date=June 29, 2019}}

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.{{Citation needed|reason=no refence for this material|date=May 2019}}

Billboard called it a "stately pop ballad" with "even more of an orchestral sweep than usual."{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|title=Top Single Picks|date=June 5, 1982|page=67|accessdate=January 27, 2023|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UyQEAAAAMBAJ}}

The song was also featured as the ending theme in the movie and soundtrack for Summer Lovers,{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-08-01/features/8602150072_1_top-gun-danger-zone-higher-love|title=Cetera At No. 1 With 'Glory Of Love'|last=DeKNOCK|first=JAN|date=August 1, 1986|newspaper=tribunedigital-sunsentinel|access-date=February 16, 2017|language=en|archive-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216180207/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-08-01/features/8602150072_1_top-gun-danger-zone-higher-love|url-status=dead}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members//catalog/AbbrView.aspx?s=&Movie=56885|title=AFI: Summer Lovers|website=Afi.com|publisher=American Film Institute|access-date=July 23, 2017}}

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.{{cite magazine|last=Grein|first=Paul|title=Record of the Year: Chicago Sustaining Comeback Momentum|magazine= Billboard|location= New York, NY|date=January 26, 1985|publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc.|volume=97|number=4|pages=6, 79|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT152|access-date=July 23, 2017}} The band appears in a black colored room with diamonds on the wall.

Charts

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+Weekly chart performance for "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" !scope="col"\|Chart (1982) !scope="col"\|Peak position
scope="row"\|Australia (Kent Music Report){{Cite book\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, NSW\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6 \|title-link=Kent Music Report}} \|4
scope="row"\|Austrian Singles Chart{{cite web \|url=http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Chicago&titel=Hard+To+Say+I%27m+Sorry&cat=s \|title=Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Austriancharts.at \|work=Austriancharts.at \|publisher=Hung Medien \|language=de \|access-date=January 15, 2013}} \|5
scope="row"\|Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart{{cite web \|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/362/Chicago-Hard-To-Say-I'm-Sorry \|title=Ultratop.be – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry \|work=Ultratop \|publisher=Hung Medien \|language=nl \|access-date=January 15, 2013}} \|15
scope="row"\|Canada RPM Top Singles{{cite journal \|date=September 11, 1982 \|title=50 Singles \|journal=RPM \|volume=36 \|issue=4 \|issn=0033-7064 \|access-date=January 15, 2013 \|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6508&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228014032/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php \|archive-date=December 28, 2012 \|url-status=dead }} \|1
scope="row"\|Canada RPM Adult Contemporary{{cite web\|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=8178& \|title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada \|website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca \|date=August 28, 1982 \|access-date=March 10, 2018}} \|1
scope="row"\|German Singles Chart{{cite web \|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/charts.asp?cat=s&country=de&year=1982&date=19821018&x=28&y=12 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707093421/http://www.officialcharts.de/charts.asp?cat=s&country=de&year=1982&date=19821018&x=28&y=12 \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=July 7, 2014 \|title=Top 100 Single \|work=Charts.de \|publisher=Media Control \|language=de \|access-date=January 15, 2013}} \|6
{{single chart\|Ireland2\|1\|song=Hard to Say I'm Sorry\|access-date=July 11, 2017\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\|Italy (Musica e Dischi){{cite web\|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php\|title=Classifiche\|work=Musica e Dischi\|language=it\|access-date=May 28, 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Chicago". \|1
scope="row"\|New Zealand Singles Chart{{cite web \|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Chicago&titel=Hard+To+Say+I%27m+Sorry&cat=s \|title=Charts.org.nz – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry \|work=charts.nz \|publisher=Hung Medien \|access-date=January 15, 2013}} \|13
scope="row"\|South Africa (Springbok){{cite web\|title=SA Charts 1965–March 1989\|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(C).html\|access-date=September 2, 2018}} \|align="center"\|14
scope="row"\|Swiss Singles Chart{{cite web \|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Chicago&titel=Hard+To+Say+I%27m+Sorry&cat=s \|title=Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Hitparade.ch \|work=Hitparade.ch \|publisher=Hung Medien \|language=de \|access-date=January 15, 2013}} \|1
scope="row"\|UK Singles Chart{{cite web \|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19821003/7501/ \|title=1982-10-09 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive \| Official Charts \|work=Official Charts Company \|access-date=January 15, 2013}} \|4
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|1\|artist=Chicago\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/299102/chicago/chart\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\|US Adult Contemporary \|1

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Weekly chart performance for "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"

!scope="col"|Chart (1982)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report){{Cite book|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, NSW|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6 |title-link=Kent Music Report}}

scope="row"|Austrian Singles Chart{{cite web |url=http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Chicago&titel=Hard+To+Say+I%27m+Sorry&cat=s |title=Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Austriancharts.at |work=Austriancharts.at |publisher=Hung Medien |language=de |access-date=January 15, 2013}}

scope="row"|Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/362/Chicago-Hard-To-Say-I'm-Sorry |title=Ultratop.be – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry |work=Ultratop |publisher=Hung Medien |language=nl |access-date=January 15, 2013}}

|15

scope="row"|Canada RPM Top Singles{{cite journal |date=September 11, 1982 |title=50 Singles |journal=RPM |volume=36 |issue=4 |issn=0033-7064 |access-date=January 15, 2013 |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6508&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228014032/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php |archive-date=December 28, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

scope="row"|Canada RPM Adult Contemporary{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=8178& |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=August 28, 1982 |access-date=March 10, 2018}}

scope="row"|German Singles Chart{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.de/charts.asp?cat=s&country=de&year=1982&date=19821018&x=28&y=12 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707093421/http://www.officialcharts.de/charts.asp?cat=s&country=de&year=1982&date=19821018&x=28&y=12 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2014 |title=Top 100 Single |work=Charts.de |publisher=Media Control |language=de |access-date=January 15, 2013}}

{{single chart|Ireland2|1|song=Hard to Say I'm Sorry|access-date=July 11, 2017|rowheader=true}}

scope="row"|Italy (Musica e Dischi){{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=Musica e Dischi|language=it|access-date=May 28, 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Chicago".

scope="row"|New Zealand Singles Chart{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Chicago&titel=Hard+To+Say+I%27m+Sorry&cat=s |title=Charts.org.nz – Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry |work=charts.nz |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=January 15, 2013}}

|13

scope="row"|South Africa (Springbok){{cite web|title=SA Charts 1965–March 1989|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(C).html|access-date=September 2, 2018}}

|align="center"|14

scope="row"|Swiss Singles Chart{{cite web |url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Chicago&titel=Hard+To+Say+I%27m+Sorry&cat=s |title=Chicago – Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Hitparade.ch |work=Hitparade.ch |publisher=Hung Medien |language=de |access-date=January 15, 2013}}

scope="row"|UK Singles Chart{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19821003/7501/ |title=1982-10-09 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive | Official Charts |work=Official Charts Company |access-date=January 15, 2013}}

{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Chicago|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/299102/chicago/chart|rowheader=true}}

scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+1982 year-end chart performance for "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" !scope="col"\|Chart (1982) !scope="col"\|Rank
scope="row"\|Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web\|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1982 \|publisher= Kent Music Report \|via= Imgur \|issue= 445 \|date= January 3, 1983 \|access-date= January 22, 2023 \|url= https://i.imgur.com/iP7HHqt.jpg}}{{cite web\|title= Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – 1982 \|url= http://www.australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=27137&pages=6 \|publisher= Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien \|access-date= April 17, 2017}} \|10
scope="row"\|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite web\|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6167&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062\|title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada\|work=collectionscanada.gc.ca\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811145442/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6167&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062\|archive-date=August 11, 2016}} \|9
scope="row"\|Italy (FIMI){{Cite web\|url=https://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe1982.htm\|title=Top Annuali Single 1982\|access-date=January 31, 2022}} \|7
scope="row"\|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{Cite web\|url=http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1982\|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1982 \|website=Swisscharts.com\|access-date=April 24, 2021}} \|5
scope="row"\|UK Singles (OCC){{cite book \|first1=Dafydd \|last1=Rees \|first2=Barry \|last2=Lazell \|first3=Alan \|last3=Jones \|chapter=The Top 100 UK Singles \|title=Chart File Volume 2 \|publisher=Virgin Books \|location=London, England \|pages=80–81 \|date=1983 \|isbn=0-907080-73-1}} \|27
scope="row"\|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web\|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1982.htm \|title=Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982 \|website=Musicoutfitters.com \|access-date=October 31, 2016}} \|10

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+1982 year-end chart performance for "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"

!scope="col"|Chart (1982)

!scope="col"|Rank

scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1982 |publisher= Kent Music Report |via= Imgur |issue= 445 |date= January 3, 1983 |access-date= January 22, 2023 |url= https://i.imgur.com/iP7HHqt.jpg}}{{cite web|title= Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – 1982 |url= http://www.australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=27137&pages=6 |publisher= Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien |access-date= April 17, 2017}}

|10

scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6167&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062|title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada|work=collectionscanada.gc.ca|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811145442/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6167&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062|archive-date=August 11, 2016}}

scope="row"|Italy (FIMI){{Cite web|url=https://www.hitparadeitalia.it/hp_yends/hpe1982.htm|title=Top Annuali Single 1982|access-date=January 31, 2022}}

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{Cite web|url=http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1982|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1982 |website=Swisscharts.com|access-date=April 24, 2021}}

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite book |first1=Dafydd |last1=Rees |first2=Barry |last2=Lazell |first3=Alan |last3=Jones |chapter=The Top 100 UK Singles |title=Chart File Volume 2 |publisher=Virgin Books |location=London, England |pages=80–81 |date=1983 |isbn=0-907080-73-1}}

|27

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1982.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |access-date=October 31, 2016}}

|10

Certifications and sales

{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|artist=Chicago|title=Hard to Say I'm Sorry|award=Gold|relyear=1982|certyear=1982|certref={{cite web|title=Platinum and Gold Singles 1982|publisher=Kent Music Report|issue=453|via=Imgur|date=February 28, 1983|access-date=November 10, 2021|url=https://i.imgur.com/totLqGG.jpg}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1982|region=Canada|award=Gold|certyear=1982|artist=Chicago|title=Hard to Say I'm Sorry|relmonth=5|certmonth=12|access-date=June 21, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1982|region=Japan|award=Gold|certyear=2014|artist=シカゴ|title=素直になれなくて|certmonth=2|digital=true|access-date=December 5, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1982|region=New Zealand|award=Gold|certyear=2021|artist=Chicago|title=Hard to Say I'm Sorry|source=radioscope|access-date=December 18, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1982|region=Spain|award=Gold|certyear=2024|artist=Chicago|title=Hard to Say I'm Sorry|access-date=December 5, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1982|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|certyear=1982|artist=Chicago|title=Hard to Say I'm Sorry|id=2755-1711-1|access-date=June 21, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|relyear=1982|region=United States|award=Gold|certyear=1982|artist=Chicago|title=Hard to Say I_m Sorry|access-date=June 21, 2023}}

Personnel

=Chicago=

Peter Cetera – lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, rhythm arrangements
Bill Champlin – backing vocals
Robert Lamm – backing vocals
Danny Seraphine – drums

=Additional Personnel=

David Foster – acoustic piano, synth bass, rhythm and horn arrangements
Michael Landau – guitar
Chris Pinnick – guitar
David Paich – synthesizers
Steve Porcaro – synthesizers
Jeremy Lubbock, Peter Cetera, David Foster – string arrangements
Gerald Vinci - concertmaster

Az Yet version

{{Infobox song

| name = Hard to Say I'm Sorry

| cover = Hard to Say I'm Sorry by Az Yet.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Az Yet featuring Peter Cetera

| album = Az Yet

| released = {{start date|1997|2|3}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = R&B

| length = 3:17

| label = {{hlist|LaFace|Arista}}

| writer = Peter Cetera, David Foster

| producer = Babyface

| chronology = Az Yet

| prev_title = Last Night

| prev_year = 1996

| next_title = You're the Inspiration

| next_year = 1997

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|qpzPrSRQwTw|"Hard to Say I'm Sorry"}}}}

}}

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.{{Cite news|last=Bronson|first=Fred|title=Az Yet Not Sorry It Redid Chicago Hit|date=March 8, 1997|newspaper=Billboard|publisher=Howard Lander|volume=109|issue=10|page=78|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qQ4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA78|access-date=August 16, 2017|via=Google Books}} A remix version by David Foster{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eg4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA85|title=For Former Chicago Crooner Cetera, Making Hits Is A Hard Habit To Break|last=Taylor|first=Chuck|date=July 12, 1997|newspaper=Billboard |publisher=BPI Communications, Inc. |page=85 |access-date=August 16, 2017|via=Google Books}} was released as a single on February 3, 1997, and features vocals from Peter Cetera.{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0wkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA102|title=Chart Beat: Jackson Lassoes No. 1 With 'Rope'|last=Bronson|first=Fred|date=October 25, 1997|newspaper=Billboard|issue=43|volume=109|page=102|via=Google Books}} Foster won a BMI Pop Award for this version.{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA55|title=ASCAP Honors Gordy; BMI Throws 46th Pop Awards Fete|date=June 27, 1998|newspaper=Billboard |publisher=Howard Lander |page=55 |access-date=March 6, 2019|via=Google Books}} The song peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1997-05-03|title=The Hot 100 for May 3, 1997|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Billboard|access-date=February 7, 2017}} It reached platinum status{{Cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Az+Yet&ti=&lab=laface&genre=&format=Single&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum - RIAA Artist: Az Yet Label: LaFace|newspaper=RIAA|access-date=February 7, 2017|language=en-US}} and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Performance by an R&B Group or Duo with Vocal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/az-yet|title=Az Yet|date=May 14, 2017|work=GRAMMY.com|access-date=August 16, 2017|language=en}}{{Cite news|author= |title=Babyface leads nominees for 40th annual Grammy Awards|date=January 7, 1998|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|agency=Associated Press|page=E6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13139596/the_cincinnati_enquirer/|access-date=August 16, 2017|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}} 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

"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (David Foster Remix featuring Peter Cetera) 3:18
"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Album Version) 3:14
"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Acappella) 3:14
"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Chase Extended Mix) 5:14

=Charts=

==Weekly charts==

scope="col"\|Chart (1997) !scope="col"\|Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{{single chart\|Australia\|5\|artist=Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera\|song=Hard To Say I'm Sorry\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Canadatopsingles\|26\|chartid=3259\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 25, 2021}}
{{single chart\|Canadaadultcontemporary\|27\|chartid=3275\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 25, 2021}}
scope="row"\|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-05-10.pdf\|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=14\|issue=19\|page=16\|date=May 10, 1997\|access-date=August 25, 2021}} \|64
{{single chart\|Germany\|72\|artist=Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera\|song=Hard To Say I'm Sorry\|songid=19127\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 15, 2019}}
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|3\|year=1997\|week=16\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|3\|artist=Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera\|song=Hard To Say I'm Sorry\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|1\|artist=Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera\|song=Hard To Say I'm Sorry\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Scotland\|30\|date=19970621\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 25, 2023}}
{{single chart\|Sweden\|59\|artist=Az Yet feat. Peter Cetera\|song=Hard To Say I'm Sorry\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UK\|7\|date=19970621\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UKrandb\|3\|date=19970621\|rowheader=true\|access-date=August 25, 2023}}
scope="row"\|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1997-05-03/\|title=Billboard Hot 100\|magazine=Billboard\|date=May 3, 1997\|access-date=August 24, 2023}} \|8
scope="row"\|US Adult Contemporary (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/1997-08-16/\|title=Adult Contemporary\|magazine=Billboard\|date=August 16, 1997\|url-access=subscription\|access-date=August 24, 2023}} \|14
scope="row"\|US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1997-04-19/\|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs\|magazine=Billboard\|date=April 19, 1997\|url-access=subscription\|access-date=August 24, 2023}} \|20
scope="row"\|US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40/1997-05-10/\|title=Rhythmic Airplay\|magazine=Billboard\|date=May 10, 1997\|url-access=subscription\|access-date=August 24, 2023}} \|9

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"\|Chart (1997) !scope="col"\|Position
scope="row"\|Australia (ARIA){{cite web\|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1997/singles-chart\|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997\|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association\|access-date=March 6, 2020}} \|31
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web\|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1997\|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997\|publisher=Dutch Top 40\|access-date=March 6, 2020}} \|11
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web\|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1997&cat=s\|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997\|publisher=MegaCharts\|language=nl\|access-date=March 6, 2020}} \|28
scope="row"\|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web\|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/?chart=3886\|title=End of Year Charts 1997\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|access-date=December 4, 2017\|archive-date=December 4, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204123054/https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/?chart=3886\|url-status=dead}} \|13
scope="row"\|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web\|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/1997-2/\|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1997\|website=billboardtop100of.com\|access-date=April 19, 2021}} \|19
scope="row"\|US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs\|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1997\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=October 20, 2021\|archive-date=August 3, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803035318/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs\|url-status=dead}} \|60
scope="row"\|US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine\|title=Best of '97: Rhythmic Top 40 Singles\|magazine=Airplay Monitor\|volume=5\|issue=52\|page=42\|date=December 28, 1997}} \|20
scope="row"\|US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard){{cite magazine\|title=Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles\|magazine=Airplay Monitor\|volume=5\|issue=52\|page=38\|date=December 28, 1997}} \|31

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"|Chart (1997)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1997/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=March 6, 2020}}

|31

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1997|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=March 6, 2020}}

|11

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1997&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=March 6, 2020}}

|28

scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/?chart=3886|title=End of Year Charts 1997|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=December 4, 2017|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204123054/https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/?chart=3886|url-status=dead}}

|13

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/1997-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1997|website=billboardtop100of.com|access-date=April 19, 2021}}

|19

scope="row"|US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1997|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-date=August 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803035318/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs|url-status=dead}}

|60

scope="row"|US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Best of '97: Rhythmic Top 40 Singles|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=5|issue=52|page=42|date=December 28, 1997}}

|20

scope="row"|US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles|magazine=Airplay Monitor|volume=5|issue=52|page=38|date=December 28, 1997}}

|31

=Certifications=

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=1997}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Az Yet|title=Hard to Say I'm Sorry|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1997|id=1997-06-20|source=newchart|access-date=November 20, 2024|relmonth=02}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Az Yet|title=Hard to Say I|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1997|certyear=1997|salesamount=1,100,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76|title=Best-Selling Records of 1997|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|number=5|page=76|date=January 31, 1998|access-date=May 26, 2015|issn=0006-2510}}}}

=Release history=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"\|Region !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Format(s) !scope="col"\|Label(s) !scope="col"\|{{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
scope="row" rowspan="2"\|United States \|{{start date\|1997\|1\|7}} \|Rhythmic contemporary radio \|rowspan="3"\|{{hlist\|LaFace\|Arista}} \|{{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-12-20.pdf\|title=New Releases\|magazine=Radio & Records\|issue=1177\|page=44\|date=December 20, 1996\|access-date=August 25, 2021}}
{{start date\|1997\|2\|3}} \|rowspan="2"\|{{hlist\|12-inch vinyl\|CD\|cassette}} \|{{citation needed\|date=August 2021}}
scope="row"\|United Kingdom \|{{start date\|1997\|6\|9}} \|{{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-06-07.pdf\|title=New Releases: Singles\|magazine=Music Week\|page=33\|date=June 7, 1997\|access-date=August 25, 2021}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States

|{{start date|1997|1|7}}

|Rhythmic contemporary radio

|rowspan="3"|{{hlist|LaFace|Arista}}

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-12-20.pdf|title=New Releases|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1177|page=44|date=December 20, 1996|access-date=August 25, 2021}}

|rowspan="2"|{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}

|{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|{{start date|1997|6|9}}

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-06-07.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=33|date=June 7, 1997|access-date=August 25, 2021}}

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 {{ill|風繼續吹|lt=|zh|風繼續吹}}.
In 2002, German electronic dance music group Aquagen had a hit with their song of the same title, which sampled "Hard to Say I'm Sorry". This version reached No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/359/aquagen/ | title=AQUAGEN | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company | website=Official Charts }}
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."{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/see-tim-mcgraws-backstage-jam-of-chicagos-hard-to-say-im-sorry-20150810|title=See Tim McGraw's Backstage Jam of Classic Chicago Hit|last=Parton|first=Chris|date=August 10, 2015|newspaper=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 8, 2017}}
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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailydot.com/upstream/roger-federer-sings-chicago-hard-to-say-im-sorry/|title=Roger Federer tweets video that proves maybe he shouldn't start a boy band|last=Katzowitz|first=Josh|date=January 21, 2017|newspaper=The Daily Dot|access-date=February 8, 2017|language=en}}