Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Shirley Bassey Lyrics


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What do I have to do to make you love me?
What do I have to do to make you care?
What do I do when lightning strikes me?
And I awake to find that you're not there?
What do I do to make you want me?
What do I have to do to be heard?
What do I say when it's all over?
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
It's sad, so sad
It's a sad, sad situation
And it's getting more and more absurd
It's sad, so sad
Why can't we talking over?
Always seems to me
That sorry seems to be the hardest word
It's sad, so sad
It's a sad, sad situation
And it's getting more and more absurd
It's sad, so sad
Why can't we talking over?
Always seems to me
That sorry seems to be the hardest word
What do I have to do to make you love me?
What do I have to do to be heard?
What do I do when lightning strikes me?
What do I have to do?




What do I have to do?
Sorry seems to be the hardest word

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Shirley Bassey's "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" reflects the yearning for love and attention of the singer. She is asking her lover what she needs to do to make them love her and care for her, revealing the desperation and helplessness she feels. The repeated use of questions contrasts with the difficulty she has expressing herself and getting her lover to understand her feelings. The second stanza portrays the heartbreak felt by the singer when she wakes up and finds her lover's absence. She then tries to figure out what she has to do to make her lover want her and be heard. However, her attempts to communicate her love and needs are not reciprocated, and the hardest word that she has to say is "Sorry." This indicates the frustration and pain she experiences when her lover does not understand her.


Line by Line Meaning

What do I have to do to make you love me?
I am willing to do anything to earn your love and affection.


What do I have to do to make you care?
I am desperate for your attention and concern, what must I do to receive it?


What do I do when lightning strikes me?
I am struck with a feeling of helplessness when something unexpected happens that I cannot control.


And I awake to find that you're not there?
I feel lonely and lost when I realize that you are absent from my life.


What do I do to make you want me?
I want to be desirable to you and am unsure of how to make that happen.


What do I have to do to be heard?
I feel ignored and unheard, what steps must I take for you to truly listen to me?


What do I say when it's all over?
I am at a loss for words when a situation has ended without resolution.


Sorry seems to be the hardest word
I find it difficult to admit when I am wrong and apologize for my mistakes.


It's sad, so sad
The situation I am in is incredibly unfortunate and brings me great sorrow.


It's a sad, sad situation
The circumstances surrounding my current state of mind and emotions are deeply saddening.


And it's getting more and more absurd
The situation is becoming increasingly ridiculous and illogical.


Why can't we talking over?
I wish we could discuss our issues and communicate effectively to resolve them.


Always seems to me
It continually feels like.


That sorry seems to be the hardest word
Apologizing and admitting fault is a difficult thing for me to do, especially in these difficult circumstances.


What do I have to do?
I am left wondering what steps I must take to change this situation.


What do I have to do?
I am left questioning what actions I must take to fix our relationship.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Elton, Taupin Bernie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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