"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" | ||||||||
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Single by Elton John | ||||||||
from the album Blue Moves | ||||||||
B-side | "Shoulder Holster" | |||||||
Released | 1 November 1976 | |||||||
Format | Vinyl record (7") | |||||||
Recorded | Eastern Sound, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 22 March 1976 | |||||||
Genre | Soft rock | |||||||
Length | 3:48 | |||||||
Label |
Rocket (UK) MCA (US) |
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Writer(s) | Elton John Bernie Taupin |
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Producer(s) | Gus Dudgeon | |||||||
Elton John singles chronology | ||||||||
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"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" | ||||||||
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Single by Blue featuring Elton John | ||||||||
from the album One Love | ||||||||
B-side | "Sweet Thing" | |||||||
Released | 9 December 2002 | |||||||
Format | CD single, audio cassette | |||||||
Genre | Pop, R&B | |||||||
Length | 3:41 (album version) 3.31 (radio edit) |
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Label | Universal | |||||||
Writer(s) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | |||||||
Producer(s) | Stargate | |||||||
Blue singles chronology | ||||||||
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"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was recorded by Elton John and released in 1976, both as a single and as part of the Blue Moves album. It was John's second single released by The Rocket Record Company. The song is a mournful ballad about a romantic relationship which is falling apart. The song is in the key of G melodic minor and G harmonic minor.
The song also appeared the following year on Greatest Hits Volume II, though for copyright reasons it no longer appears on the current version of that album. It now appears on Greatest Hits 1976–1986, The Very Best of Elton John and in Greatest Hits 1970–2002, as well as a number of other compilations.
The song is also featured prominently in the 1977 movie Slap Shot.
In December 2015, the song was used in a US holiday-themed commercial for Temptation cat treats.
The song was a Top 20 hit, reaching No. 11 in the United Kingdom, No. 6 in the United States and No. 3 in Canada. In addition, the song went to No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart. In the US, it was certified Gold on 25 January 1977 by the RIAA.
*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
The song was covered in 2002 by English boy band Blue for their second studio album, One Love (2002). The song was recorded as a collaboration with Elton John, and was the second single from the album. It peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart on 15 December 2002.