Im Sorry
John Denver Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's cold here in the city
It always seems that way
And I've been thinking about you almost everyday
Thinking about the good times
Thinking about the rain
Thinking about how bad it feels alone again

I'm sorry for the way things are in China
I'm sorry things ain't what they used to be
But more than anything else
I'm sorry for myself
'Cause you're not here with me

Our friends all ask about you
And I say you're doing fine
And I expect to hear from you almost anytime
But they all know I'm crying
And I can't sleep at night
They all know I'm dying down deep inside

I'm sorry for all the lies I told you
I'm sorry for the things I didn't say
But more than anything else
I'm sorry for myself
I can't believe you went away

I'm sorry if I took some things for granted
I'm sorry for the chains I put on you
But more than anything else




I'm sorry for myself
For living without you

Overall Meaning

In John Denver's song "I'm Sorry," the lyrics express deep regret and sorrow for the loss of a loved one. The song begins with the singer reflecting on the loneliness and isolation he feels in the city, thinking about his loved one daily and the memories they shared. The first chorus of the song focuses on remorse for the current state of the world and for his own sadness without his partner.


The second verse shifts to the singer's interactions with others after the breakup. He tells his friends that his former partner is doing well, but they can see that he is truly heartbroken. He then apologizes for the lies he told and the things he didn't say before the breakup, but ultimately laments the fact that he can't imagine living without this person. The final chorus provides a bleak picture of what the singer sees as his future after the loss of his partner, expressing sorrow for taking her for granted.


Overall, "I'm Sorry" is a song that delves deeply into the pain of lost love and the regret that can come with it. It provides a picture of someone who is struggling to come to terms with their loss and who longs for their partner's return.


Line by Line Meaning

It's cold here in the city
The environment in the city is vexing


It always seems that way
The city is always cold and unwelcoming


And I've been thinking about you almost everyday
You have been constantly in my thoughts


Thinking about the good times
Memories of the happy moments you shared together


Thinking about the rain
Recalling the rain as an indication of sadness and loneliness


Thinking about how bad it feels alone again
Reflecting on the pain of being lonely without your love


I'm sorry for the way things are in China
Expressing sorrow for situations beyond control


I'm sorry things ain't what they used to be
Feeling regretful for the current state of affairs


But more than anything else
The most significant thing that is worth apologizing for


I'm sorry for myself
Regretting the effects of their mistakes on themselves


'Cause you're not here with me
Feeling sorrow due to the absence of their loved one


Our friends all ask about you
Their friends are curious about their significant other


And I say you're doing fine
Wanting to protect their loved one from harm


And I expect to hear from you almost anytime
Eagerly waiting for communication from their loved one


But they all know I'm crying
Their friends are aware of their sadness


And I can't sleep at night
Being unable to relax due to overwhelming emotions


They all know I'm dying down deep inside
Their friends recognize the severity of their despair


I'm sorry for all the lies I told you
Owning up to the untruths they told their loved one


I'm sorry for the things I didn't say
Feeling remorseful for not expressing their emotions to their loved one


But more than anything else
What they feel most apologetic for


I'm sorry for myself
Feeling sorry for the impact of their actions on themselves


I can't believe you went away
Finding it difficult to accept their loved one's departure


I'm sorry if I took some things for granted
Regretful for not appreciating some of the things their loved one did for them


I'm sorry for the chains I put on you
Repenting for being controlling and manipulative towards their loved one


For living without you
Suffering the repercussions of living without their loved one




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN DENVER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Ef

It's cold here in the city
It always seems that way
And I've been thinking about you almost everyday
Thinking about the good times
Thinking about the rain
Thinking about how bad it feels alone again
I'm sorry for the way things are in China
I'm sorry things ain't what they used to be
But more than anything else
I'm sorry for myself
'Cause you're not here with me
Our friends all ask about you
And I say you're doing fine
And I expect to hear from you almost anytime
But they all know I'm crying
And I can't sleep at night
They all know I'm dying down deep inside
I'm sorry for all the lies I told you
I'm sorry for the things I didn't say
But more than anything else
I'm sorry for myself
I can't believe you went away
I'm sorry if I took some things for granted
I'm sorry for the chains I put on you
But more than anything else
I'm sorry for myself
For living without you



All comments from YouTube:

Nigel Stringfellow

I am a 61 year old guy and I am crying like a baby,that is John Denver's most beautiful song.

Brian Boothby

Me too, memories aren't so good sometimes....

Elizabeth Bienko

Me, three. Very raw and real...

Diamond

​@Brian Boothby God bless you my brother

albert arteaga

I’m with you brother,John Denver sang from his heart and soul.truly a music treasure dearly missed.RestInParadise!

Dkp kumar

Me too, I miss my brother everyday 😢

22 More Replies...

Heather Isaacs

I am 76 so glad I lived during that era. Best music ever!! Rest in love John❤❤

Marcos Bryant

What do you admire most about John

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