A Song Lesson: Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word

I haven’t been posting any song lessons for a long time. I’ve prepared this for my 1-on-1 lesson. Hope you’ll like it 🙂

“Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”

WARM UP

Can you apologize easily?

Why do you apologize?

Have you ever experienced a situation where saying sorry was difficult?

When it is difficult to say ‘sorry’?

FILL IN THE MISSING WORDS FROM THE SONG LYRICS.

1. What have I got to do to make you ____ me?
2. What have I got to do to make you ____?
3. What do I do when lightning ____ me? And I wake to find that you’re not ____.
4. What do I do to make you ____ me?
5. What have I got to do to be ____?
6. What do I say when it’s all ____? And sorry seems to be the hardest ____.
7. It’s ____, so sad It’s a sad, sad ____ And it’s getting more and more ____ It’s ____, so sad Why can’t we talk it ____? Oh, it seems to me That sorry seems to be the hardest ____.
8. What do I do to make you ____ me?
9. What have I got to do to be ____?
10. What do I do when lightning ____ me? What have I got to do? What have I got to do? When sorry seems to be the hardest ____.

DECIDE IF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE TRUE OR FALSE BASED ON THE SONG LYRICS.

1. The song is about a person trying to make someone love them. (True/False)
2. Lightning striking the person is a metaphor for unexpected events in life. (True/False)
3. The singer apologizes in the song.  (True/False)
4. The singer wants to find a way to communicate and resolve the situation. (True/False)

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BASED ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SONG.

1. What is the main emotion conveyed in the song?
2. Why does the singer find it difficult to say sorry?
3. What does the line “And sorry seems to be the hardest word” imply?
4. What are some of the things the singer is willing to do to be loved and heard?
5. How does the singer feel about the situation mentioned in the song?

FOLLOW UP

Write a letter to the song writer expressing your feelings about the song.

ANSWER KEY:

True or False:

1. True
2. True
3. False
4. True

Comprehension Questions: (suggested answers)

1. What is the main emotion conveyed in the song? sadness or regret.
2. Why does the singer find it difficult to say sorry? it’s challenging to apologize
3. What does the line “And sorry seems to be the hardest word” The line suggests that saying sorry and expressing genuine remorse is difficult, and it might be harder than expected.
4. What are some of the things the singer is willing to do to be loved and heard? Answer: He is willing to do whatever it takes to gain love and attention from the other person.
5. How does the singer feel about the situation mentioned in the song? saddened by the situation and wishes for better communication.

More Song Lessons

For more song-based lesson ideas, visit the Songs in EFL Classroom collection or check out Our House by Madness.