“Hard to Say I’m Sorry” by Chicago is a power ballad released in 1982 as the lead single from their album Chicago 16. It marked a major comeback for the band and a dramatic shift in their sound, moving from their earlier jazz-rock roots to a sleeker, more radio-friendly pop-rock style.
The song is about regret, vulnerability, and the emotional difficulty of asking for forgiveness in a strained relationship. The key line — “Everybody needs a little time away” — sets the tone for a heartfelt confession and a plea for reconciliation.
Peter Cetera delivers a soaring lead vocal, and his performance is central to the song’s emotional impact. The track was produced by David Foster, whose glossy, piano-driven production helped redefine Chicago’s sound in the 1980s. The song starts as a tender ballad and builds into a more dramatic, orchestral climax, followed by a coda titled “Get Away”, which features a funkier, upbeat instrumental segment.
“Hard to Say I’m Sorry” was a huge commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of Chicago’s most iconic hits. It also earned a Grammy nomination and remains a staple of 1980s soft rock playlists.
The song helped re-establish Chicago’s presence in the charts and paved the way for a series of Cetera-led ballads that defined the band’s second act. It’s widely considered one of their most enduring and emotionally resonant songs.