Although much of DiFranco's material is autobiographical, it is often also strongly political. Many of her songs are concerned with contemporary social issues such as racism, sexism, sexual abuse, homophobia, reproductive rights, poverty, and war. DiFranco's guitar playing is often characterized by a signature staccato style, rapid finger picking and many alternate tunings. She delivers many of her lines in a speaking style notable for its rhythmic variation. Her lyrics, which often include alliteration, metaphor, word play and a more-or-less gentle irony, have also received praise for their sophistication. She has released 19 solo albums (not including collaborative albums or live albums), all of which were released on her own independent record label, Righteous Babe Records (which she formed in 1989 at the age of 19).
DiFranco has been a critical success for much of her career, though not a commercial one by major label standards, with a career album average of 72 on Metacritic. Living in Clip, DiFranco's 1998 double live album, is the only one to achieve gold record status to date. DiFranco has been praised by the Buffalo News as the "Buffalo's leading lady of rock music".
Sorry I Am
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sorry that after all these years
I've left you feeling unrequited and alone
Brought you to tears
I guess I never loved you quite as well
As the way you loved me and
I guess I'll never really be able to tell you
'Cause I don't know what it is about you
I just know it's not what it was
I don't know why red fades before blue
It just does
And I don't know what it is about me
But I just can't keep still, I
I keep thinking that someday I will make this all up to you and
Maybe someday, I will
I guess I never loved you quite as well
As the way you loved me and
I guess I'll never really be able to tell you how sorry I am
Sorry I am, I am
Sorry I am
Sorry I am
Ani DiFranco's song "Sorry I Am" is an emotionally charged reflection on a failing relationship. The opening lines of the song are packed with the weight of regret and remorse. The singer is acknowledging her failure to express excitement during a recent phone call with her partner. It is clear from her tone that she is aware of how her behavior has left her partner feeling rejected and alone. As the song continues, the singer describes her inability to express love in a way that is equivalent to the depth of feeling that her partner has for her. The chorus of the song repeats the refrain "I guess I never loved you quite as well, as the way you loved me" emphasizing the painful realization that the relationship is not a two-way street.
The bridge of the song is filled with uncertainty and confusion. The singer acknowledges that her feelings for her partner have changed without any clear explanation. She compares this situation to the way that colors fade and shift over time. She also admits that she has a hard time keeping still and waiting for the future she imagines where she can make things right. The final chorus of the song expresses a deep sense of contrition and regret as the singer repeatedly apologizes and acknowledges her failure to reciprocate her partner's love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sorry I didn't sound more excited on the phone
I regret that I did not display enthusiasm over the phone conversation with you.
I'm sorry that after all these years
I apologize for the passage of time, yet my feelings have not progressed with it.
I've left you feeling unrequited and alone
I feel remorseful that my actions have caused you to experience a sense of longing and loneliness.
Brought you to tears
I acknowledge that my behavior, words or actions have caused you great emotional distress.
I guess I never loved you quite as well
I understand now that my level of affection towards you was never equal to the intensity of your love for me.
As the way you loved me and
Showing me unconditional love was never a task for you, but I never reciprocated in the same manner.
I guess I'll never really be able to tell you
Perhaps I cannot fully express in words the depth of my regret and sadness towards my actions.
How sorry I am
I wish to convey the extent of my remorse and sorrow for the hurt I have caused you.
'Cause I don't know what it is about you
I am unable to put a finger on what makes you so unique to me.
I just know it's not what it was
I am certain that the emotions I have for you now are significantly different than they were before.
I don't know why red fades before blue
Like the phenomenon of colors fading, I don't entirely comprehend the reasons behind the changes in how I feel for you.
It just does
It simply happens, and there is no clear explanation for it.
And I don't know what it is about me
Even I myself am not sure of what kind of person or partner I am.
But I just can't keep still, I
I have the tendency to keep looking for new things and not be satisfied with what I have in front of me.
I keep thinking that someday I will make this all up to you and
I hold onto the hope that I can make amends for my mistakes and make things right.
Maybe someday, I will
There is the possibility that one day, I can show you the love and care you deserve.
Sorry I am, I am
I want to emphasize that I am truly sorry and there is no doubt about it.
Sorry I am
I am saddened by my actions and apologize for the hurt I have caused.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lulsmokes
I’m sorry i didn't sound more excited on the phone
I'm sorry that after all these years
I've left you feeling unrequited and alone, brought you to tears
I guess i never loved you quite as well as the way you loved me
I guess that i'll never really be able to tell you how sorry
I am
I don't know what it is about you
I just know it's not what it was
I don't know why red fades before blue, it just does
And i don't know what it is about me
That i just can't keep still
I keep thinking someday i will make this all up to you
And maybe someday i will
I guess i never loved you quite as well
As the way you loved me
I guess i'll never really be able to tell you how sorry
I am
Sorry i am
Sorry i am
Sorry i am
lulsmokes
I’m sorry i didn't sound more excited on the phone
I'm sorry that after all these years
I've left you feeling unrequited and alone, brought you to tears
I guess i never loved you quite as well as the way you loved me
I guess that i'll never really be able to tell you how sorry
I am
I don't know what it is about you
I just know it's not what it was
I don't know why red fades before blue, it just does
And i don't know what it is about me
That i just can't keep still
I keep thinking someday i will make this all up to you
And maybe someday i will
I guess i never loved you quite as well
As the way you loved me
I guess i'll never really be able to tell you how sorry
I am
Sorry i am
Sorry i am
Sorry i am
michelle houston
Ani got me through highschool ❤️ I'm about to turn 40 now. I'm living in Jamaica for the last 2 years and in the middle of divorcing my sweet but secretly evil Rasta husband. I'm surprised to find that Ani is still the best break up music. The soundtrack of my undoing and rebuilding. Sorry this is ridiculous. It's late and I needed to put this somewhere.
PST19CC
Achingly beautiful!
Steven Marc Trier
I'd like to accept this song as an apology from my beautiful ex-boyfriend, (insert name); the devil and the angel that he is, and that too much is how I loved him but too well is how I know him. I only hope he will one day fully appreciate the love he never wanted from me.
Randall Coedwig
Expectations are the road to hell.
Erin Petersen
Mine too…
Mindy Honey
"Cause I don't know what it is 'bout you. I just know it's not what it was."
Michael Twohig
This is about Ani and her choice.
“No woman should have to have the government have a say
in the most painful decision she will ever make.”
Randall Coedwig
Wtf are you talking about? This song has absolutely nothing to with that.
all4Hisgloryalone
Yes a government shouldn't enforce the law on Murder, but make a new one excusing it