Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word - Elton Joun (1977) 3/21/22

As you probably, know, Bernie Taupin collaborated with Elton John on several "Great Songs" over the years, and it almost always worked the same way:

Bernie would write some lyrics, then hand them over to Elton to create a melody.

But today's "Great Song of 1976" was different.

According to Bernie: One night, Elton was noodling around on the piano and came up with a beautiful melody line, as well as the lyric, "What have I got to do to make you love me?"

Bernie immediately came up with a title, and proceeded to write the lyrics to "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" in just a few minutes!

Both of them knew they had a hit on their hands, and it was proven true when the finished song was released as a single from the album, "Blue Moves."

"Sorry Seems to Be the hardest Word" went to #1 on the Adult Contemporary Charts in both the US and Canada, and on the Top 40, it reached #3 in Canada and #6 in the US.

The song was later covered by Joe Cocker, Frank Sinatra, and in 2002, Elton teamed up with the British boy band "Blue" for a version that went to #1 in the UK, Scotland, The Netherlands, and Hungary...and reached the Top 10 in FIFTEEN other countries--none of which were the US!

Finally, in 2004, Elton recorded the song again, this time as a duet with a gravely ill Ray Charles. It was the last song Ray ever recorded.

"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John: a "Great Song of 1976--and beyond!

Elton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3nScN89Klo

Elton w/Blue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvbQzRAi4wM

Elton & Ray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Qcll0gTDE

Tomorrow: Nursery Rhyme Time. Coming Soon: "Great Songs of the '80s."