What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
Joni James Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't know why, I made you cry
I'm sorry sweetheart and yet
Though you shouldn't be lenient with me
I hope you'll forgive and forget

What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
What can I do to prove it to you, I'm sorry?
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do
I was all wrong but right or wrong I don't blame you
Why should I take somebody like you and shame you
I know that I made you cry, and I'm so sorry dear
So what can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?

You made me glad, I made you sad
I made you lonesome and blue
And who ever knew
Who'd ever think that I would be crying to you

What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
What can I do to prove it to you, I'm sorry?
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do
I was all wrong but right or wrong I don't blame you
Why should I take somebody like you and shame you




I know that I made you cry, and I'm so sorry dear
So what can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?

Overall Meaning

In Joni James's song "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry," the singer laments having wronged her lover and made them cry. She apologizes profusely and hopes that her lover can forgive and forget her mistake. Throughout the song, the singer acknowledges the pain that she has caused and takes full responsibility for her actions. The lyrics emphasize the importance of owning up to mistakes and making amends when necessary in a relationship.


The repetition of the phrase "What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?" highlights the singer's desperation for her lover's forgiveness. She recognizes that saying sorry is not enough and wants to know what actions she can take to prove her regret. The lyrics also express the singer's love and care for her partner, as seen in the line "If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do." Despite her wrongdoing, she values her relationship and wants to make things right.


Overall, the song serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions in a relationship and striving to make things right when mistakes are made.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't know why, I made you cry
I am baffled by my actions that caused you to be upset


I'm sorry sweetheart and yet
Even though I apologize, it may not be enough


Though you shouldn't be lenient with me
You have every right to not forgive me easily


I hope you'll forgive and forget
I plead with you to pardon my wrongdoing and let it go


What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
I feel helpless in trying to make amends, so what can I do or say to make it right?


What can I do to prove it to you, I'm sorry?
I want to show you how genuine I am in my apology and how I want to make things right


I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
My remorse is genuine because hurting you was never my intention


If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do
The depth of my emotions confirms how much you mean to me


I was all wrong but right or wrong I don't blame you
I know I was in the wrong, but I don't blame you for how you reacted


Why should I take somebody like you and shame you
You do not deserve to be treated badly by someone like me


I know that I made you cry, and I'm so sorry dear
I am aware of the pain I caused you, and I want to express how sorry I am


So what can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
I am at a loss for words to express how much I regret my actions and how much I want to make it right




Lyrics © DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Walter Donaldson, Abe Lyman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions