I'm Sorry
Hothouse Flowers Lyrics


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This song tells exactly how, when I was, while I was
Sitting back on my deep pile reclining chair
Thinking about my life and all the good things that happened

Well, it just came to mind to me that
Yeah, came to mind to me that
I ain't been treatin' her too bad, too well, too well
No I been pushin' her 'round and you know
There comes a time in every mans life when he's got to
Look over his misdemeanors, misgivings, misfortunes and
Miss whatever her name is

Yeah, I'll say you're sorry, sorry

I'm sorry, I'm sorry
'Cos I been telling you lies, standing on your face
I been making you cry all over the places, Lord
I should have known, yeah, I should've known better
Well, I could not phone, Lord I, I could, I could, I could, but I'm

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry

You know I'm crazy, sorry
Sorry, sorry, baby, baby, baby

I think this time I realized
Get down on my knees and apologies

Oh Lord, I didn't know when I hurt you
I didn't know when you cried
I didn't know when you screamed, "Lord"
I didn't know when you stopped to cry

I didn't know when you called
I didn't know when you hurt
I didn't know sweet Mama
I didn't know, I should, I am

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry





I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry

Overall Meaning

The Hothouse Flowers’ song “I’m Sorry” is a reflective piece that illustrates the moment of realization and remorse of the singer for mistreating his lover. This is evident in the opening verses where the singer states that he had been sitting on his deep pile reclining chair, reflecting on his life, and all the good things that had happened. It then dawned on him that he had been mistreating his lover, pushing her around, and not treating her as well as he should have. This is demonstrated in the lines “No I been pushing her ‘round and you know, There comes a time in every mans life when he’s got to, Look over his misdemeanors, misgivings, misfortunes and Miss, whatever her name is”.


The singer expresses deep remorse for his actions and admits that he has been telling lies, making his lover cry all over the places, and not being there for her. He realizes that he should have known better and that he did not appreciate her enough. This is summed up in the lines “I'm sorry, I'm sorry, 'Cos I been telling you lies, standing on your face, I been making you cry all over the places, Lord, I should have known, yeah, I should've known better”. In the final part of the song, the singer acknowledges that he was ignorant of his lover’s pain, and he asks for her forgiveness. He acknowledges that he did not know when he hurt her, cried, or called out for him.


In essence, the song “I’m Sorry” is an expression of deep remorse for the mistreatment of a loved one. The Hothouse Flowers’ use of vivid imagery, emotive words, and a passionate delivery creates a powerful song that captures the complexities of human relationships, and the significance of acknowledging one’s faults.


Line by Line Meaning

This song tells exactly how, when I was, while I was
The song recounts a specific moment when the singer is reflecting on his life.


Sitting back on my deep pile reclining chair
The singer is physically comfortable and in a relaxed state of mind when he has this realization.


Thinking about my life and all the good things that happened
The singer is reflecting on the positive moments of his life.


Well, it just came to mind to me that
The artist has a sudden realization or epiphany.


Yeah, came to mind to me that
The artist emphasizes the suddenness of his realization.


I ain't been treatin' her too bad, too well, too well
The singer acknowledges that he has been treating his partner poorly and recognizes that there is a middle ground between treating someone poorly and treating them well.


No I been pushin' her 'round and you know
The singer has been mistreating his partner and acknowledges this fact.


There comes a time in every mans life when he's got to
The artist believes that there is a point in every man's life when he must reflect on his actions.


Look over his misdemeanors, misgivings, misfortunes and
The artist believes that reflecting on his mistakes and wrongdoings is an important part of personal growth.


Miss whatever her name is
The artist is unsure of his partner's name, which could indicate a lack of investment in the relationship.


Yeah, I'll say you're sorry, sorry
The singer is willing to apologize for his behavior.


I'm sorry, I'm sorry
The artist is apologizing for mistreating his partner.


'Cos I been telling you lies, standing on your face
The singer has been lying to his partner and has possibly been overbearing or dominating in their relationship.


I been making you cry all over the places, Lord
The singer's behavior has caused his partner emotional pain.


I should have known, yeah, I should've known better
The singer recognizes that he should have been more aware of his partner's feelings and needs.


Well, I could not phone, Lord I, I could, I could, I could, but I'm
The artist acknowledges that he could have tried to reach out to his partner, but he did not make the effort to do so.


You know I'm crazy, sorry
The artist is apologizing and acknowledging that he has acted irrationally or has had unreasonable expectations.


Sorry, sorry, baby, baby, baby
The singer is expressing his remorse and apologizing to his partner.


I think this time I realized
The singer has come to a realization and is taking accountability for his actions.


Get down on my knees and apologies
The artist is willing to go to great lengths to apologize and make amends for his behavior.


Oh Lord, I didn't know when I hurt you
The artist did not realize the extent of the harm that he was causing his partner.


I didn't know when you cried
The artist was unaware of when his partner was crying or upset.


I didn't know when you screamed, "Lord"
The singer was unaware of his partner's distress or cries for help.


I didn't know when you stopped to cry
The artist was unaware of when his partner stopped crying or stopped expressing their emotions.


I didn't know when you called
The singer was unaware of when his partner attempted to communicate with him.


I didn't know when you hurt
The singer was unaware when his partner was experiencing pain.


I didn't know sweet Mama
The singer acknowledges his partner's importance and caring nature, despite his past behavior.


I didn't know, I should, I am
The artist is taking accountability for his lack of awareness and committing to trying to be better in the future.


I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
The artist is apologizing and expressing his remorse.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FIACHNA SEOSAMH O'BRAONAIN, LIAM TADG O'MAONLAI, PETER MARY O'TOOLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@dazzazulu777

Saw them on tour in the States when this came out. It was awesome!

@roberthowe3377

Misfortunes, misgivings, misdemeanors, miss whatever her name was !!! Brilliant line..

@DoctorDave5

My first ever concert was Hothouse Flowers at the Edinburgh Playhouse in ‘89. If I remember correctly they started with this song with each member of the band coming onto the stage one at a time as their part of the song started. Great night.

@sandrasmith7501

Thanks for uploading! Watching episodes of The Good Wife...and this song was playing at the first of one. Had to search by lyrics for band...and here I am!! Thanks again.

@ciaran5588

Man, I was only 19 when this came out. NINETEEN!

@1groovygreg

I’m right there with you. Where did the time go?

@ciaran86

5588. 🙏🏼

@1groovygreg

Love the gospel vibe.

@user-nl1gz3gt6k

every one deserves it ❤

@williammain4769

One of the best ever x

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