As a duo, Fahey and Detroit released two albums and are best-known for the song "Stay", a top five hit in the U.S. which spent eight weeks at number one in the U.K. Both "Stay" and the follow-up single "Hello (Turn your radio on)" are co-written by Dave Stewart under the pseudonym Jean Guiot. Detroit left the act after many quabbles with Fahey, and Shakespear's Sister's Third album #3, technically a Fahey solo album, was shelved by London Records. Years later, after wrangling the album rights from the label, Fahey released it independently.
After sporadically recording under her own name for a few years, Fahey reclaimed the Shakespear's Sister moniker for herself as a solo artist and independently released a new album, ''Songs from the Red Room'', in November 2009 accompanied by touring in the UK. A physical release of "Songs from the Red Room" in the U.S. went ahead on 12 April 2010, followed by a deluxe edition double-CD with 8 bonus tracks on 3 May in the UK.
My 16th Apology
Shakespear's Sister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe we could work it out someday)
Things were going pretty well 'till I died
On that sunny afternoon
When you broke down before my eyes
Well I got a streak of meanness
A clumsy way of speaking
It must run in my family
Do I have to go down on my knees?
This is my 16th apology to you
With friends like me, who needs enemies
I got a river inside the size of my rage
Which is really something else
When you think of my tender age
Well I got a way about me
But it's hard for me to see it
And I don't know when I'm in the wrong
Why am I so hard to please?
This is my 16th apology to you
Do I have to go down on my knees for you
With friends like me who needs enemies
The things I said about you
Were all said yesterday
I didn't mean to hurt you
Maybe we could work it out someday
Well I got a streak of meanness
A clumsy way of speaking
And I don't know when I'm in the wrong
Why am I so hard to please?
Do I have to go down on my knees?
This is my 16th apology to you
With friends like me who needs enemies
(Didn't your mother ever tell you
To err is human, to forgive is divine
Oh well, I'll see you in the next life)
In the song My 16th Apology, the singer reflects on their shortcomings in a relationship and their remorse for hurting their partner. They acknowledge a "streak of meanness" and a "clumsy way of speaking" that seems to be inherited from their family. The lyrics suggest that the singer often struggles to identify when they are in the wrong and can be difficult to please, which has caused problems in the relationship. However, they express a desire to work things out with their partner, and the repeated apologies throughout the song demonstrate their commitment to repairing the relationship. The song ends on a somewhat fatalistic note, with the singer acknowledging that they may not be able to fully change their behaviour in this lifetime ("I'll see you in the next life").
Overall, the lyrics of My 16th Apology offer a poignant exploration of the challenges of communication and growth in a romantic relationship. The singer admits to their flaws and shortcomings, while also expressing a willingness to learn and improve. The repetition of the apology throughout the song underscores the importance of accountability and humility in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Things were going pretty well 'till I died
I messed up our relationship and it feels like it's over
On that sunny afternoon
The event that caused the issue happened unexpectedly
When you broke down before my eyes
Seeing you cry broke my heart even more
Well I got a streak of meanness
I can be cruel and it's a part of who I am
A clumsy way of speaking
I don't communicate in the best way and often say hurtful things
And I don't know where I get it from
I don't know how to change because I don't understand the root cause of my behavior
It must run in my family
My behavior may be inherited or influenced by my family
Do I have to go down on my knees?
I am willing to do whatever it takes to make things right
This is my 16th apology to you
I've apologized so many times, but it never seems to be enough
With friends like me, who needs enemies
I'm causing more harm than good with my actions
I got a river inside the size of my rage
I have a lot of anger inside of me that I struggle to control
Which is really something else
My anger can be overwhelming
When you think of my tender age
Considering my age, it's surprising that I have so much anger
Well I got a way about me
I have a particular personality that can be difficult to deal with
But it's hard for me to see it
I struggle to recognize my own flaws
And I don't know when I'm in the wrong
I have trouble admitting my mistakes
Why am I so hard to please?
I have unrealistic expectations and it causes issues in my relationships
The things I said about you
The hurtful things I said were directed at you
Were all said yesterday
I regret the things I said and wish I could take them back
I didn't mean to hurt you
My intention was not to cause you pain
Maybe we could work it out someday
I still have hope that we can fix things in the future
Didn't your mother ever tell you
The idea of forgiveness is a common lesson taught in childhood
To err is human, to forgive is divine
We all make mistakes, but forgiveness is a higher virtue
Oh well, I'll see you in the next life
Even if we can't fix things in this life, I hope we can be at peace in the future
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Richard Feldman, Siobhan Fahey, Marcy Levy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheNeverPlayedSymphonies
How in the world can anyone get bored with Siobhan I’ve been in love with her facial expressions since forever
@BillBiggs1
Those expressions are classic
@TheChai0628
This is my 68th favorite song!
@benmalone6139
I have re-re-fallen in love with these gals. Great band. I don't think they had a single bad song
@DarlingMissDarling
Jesus this is spectacular. 2021 needs a re-release of Hormonally Yours.
@methodicalmysticbutterflyi2669
I love these ladies! I'm so glad that y'all decided to end the beef and enjoin your beautiful voices in the studio again. Many blessings to you both. 😊
@akyllasvasilliou500
Brilliant track from the epic Hormonally Yours album 😍
@FernandoMachado90
Sophie Muller is a genius. What could have been a random copy and paste job became another fantastic video complete with matching beats, lips and even some kind of storyline that fits their 1993 split.
@yckfides5613
Even more impressive is the fact that this video is comprised of unused scenes only, meaning she had to go through hours and hours of footage to create it!
@DJL78
The height of fashion. I adore this so much. 🍸