(what Can I Say) After I Say I'm Sorry
Benny Goodman · Other Songs - Benny Goodman
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?
(what Can I Say) After I Say I'm Sorry
Benny Goodman's rendition of '(what Can I Say) After I Say I'm Sorry' exemplifies the swing era's mastery of vocal jazz. Goodman, primarily renowned as a clarinetist, demonstrated remarkable versatility here, delivering a performance that blends his signature melodic phrasing with a warm, conversational vocal style. The song, a staple of the Great American Songbook, reflects the genre's emphasis on emotional storytelling and improvisation. Goodman's interpretation captures the nuanced interplay between lyric and melody, characteristic of his work with his orchestra during the 1930s and 1940s. This recording stands as a testament to his ability to elevate standard material into a sophisticated musical statement, showcasing the collaborative spirit of big band jazz where vocalists and instrumentalists shared equal prominence.