“Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was recorded by John and released in 1976, both as a single and as part of the Blue Moves album. It was John’s second single released by The Rocket Record Company. The song is a mournful ballad about a romantic relationship which is falling apart.
The song also appeared the following year on Greatest Hits Volume II, though for copyright reasons it no longer appears on the current version of that album. It now appears on Greatest Hits 1976–1986, The Very Best of Elton John, Greatest Hits 1970–2002 and Diamonds as well as a number of other compilations.
In 2004, Elton John and Ray Charles performed the song on Charles’ duet album, Genius Loves Company. It would turn out to be the last recording Charles made before his death that June. The duet was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
