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“I’m Sorry” was a 1960 hit song by American singer Brenda Lee. Penned by Ronnie Self and Dub Allbritten, the song was recorded when Lee was just 15 years old. Following its release, it soared to the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart in July 1960.
Brenda Lee began her career at the young age of six. Born and raised in a low-income household in Georgia, she became her family’s chief breadwinner. According to the information found in Fred Bronson’s “Billboard Book of Number One Hits,” Lee recorded the song in early 1960, but her label, Decca Records, held its release for several months. The label was concerned that at 15, she was not mature enough to sing about one-sided love. There were also concerns about the legalities of a teenager singing about such passionate affairs of the heart, an issue often faced by child stars like Lee.
Brenda Lee’s “I’m Sorry” is considered the first example of a song with what is known as the “Nashville Sound.” This sound is defined by a crooning lead singer, a stringed instruments section, and backing vocals, creating a fusion of country and pop music with a hint of doo-wop. The Nashville Sound itself was pioneered in the mid-1950s by labels like Columbia Records and RCA.
The classic hit has also made its way into popular culture. It was sampled for the Sweet Valley track “Hypomania” and was used as an interlude during Beyonce’s 2016 “The Formation World Tour.” The song was also featured in the third episode of the Netflix series The End of the Fing World* and played over the end credits of a film by Richard Linklater.
Despite the delays surrounding its release due to Lee’s young age, “I’m Sorry” became a massive hit and is undoubtedly one of the best songs by Brenda Lee, worth hearing at least once in your lifetime.
