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SCHOOL
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So Sorry, I said
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Year: 2004 | School year: 10 | Subject: Sport | Format: Song analysis | Grade: A
"So sorry, I said" by the Pet Shop Boys is a song about the weakness and helplessness that a victim of domestic violence experiences. Below is a breakdown of the lyrics and comments on their meaning to support this statement.
If this is a ghetto
I'm in it with you
If it's just a prison
I'm locked in it too
I tried to leave you
but after all that you had said
I went to pieces
when I should have shouted and screamed
instead
So sorry, I said
Your powers of persuasion
those quizzical eyes
have tired and tied me
with innocent guile
I meant to walk out
after all the tears we'd shed
I should have stalked out
gone and painted the town bright red
but instead
So sorry, I said
How tough it gets
Don't talk to me about it
To pay off your debts
I worked on overtime
and you say you've never believed in luck
If you need a reason
consider me mad
An old retainer
loyal and sad
I bought my freedom
after all that we have shared
I couldn't leave you
Think of the skins I'd have to shed
instead
So sorry, I said
So sorry, I said
So sorry, I said
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This part of the song outlines how helpless the person feels in their environment, and how they feel they cannot escape.This is soon followed by evidence that the abusive person uses charm to disarm the abused person into feeling as if it is their fault that the violence took place.
This verse further outlines the way in which the abusive person keeps their victim near: when they are not being abusive they are very sweet and light to reign the person in.
It then continues to show that the abused person is sure that they should leave, but cannot bring themself to do anything except apologize weakly.
This bridge outlines the devotion that the abused person has exhibited, how much support that they have given. The last line alludes to "you were lucky to have me"
These lines give the main reasons that the abused person is staying for. Loyalty after a long relationship binds them to stay, no matter how much they have had to change or adapt to their partners abusive ways.
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An extract from an interview with the Pet Shop Boys reads thus:
Interviewer: So what about "So Sorry, I Said?"
Chris: Very simple chord structure.
[they go on to talk about instrumentation for a while]
Neil: Yes, simple melody for a simple yet poignant theme.
Chris: The abused partner who just cant leave. The weakling.
Neil: I tried to write for all of those people too bound by time and loyalty to stand up for themselves and just up and go.
(Chris writes the music, Neil sings and writes the lyrics)
As with all Pet Shop Boys songs, I find them greatly engrossing on many levels. The chords and melody are ingenious, the instrumentation relatively simple yet effective and the lyrics just so. Neils honest and smooth voice always conveys the message he suggests at in his lyrics, and this tune provokes thought. Not a brash dramatisation of the issue as one finds with other groups, but a simply honest viewpoint is explored that is often overlooked. Maybe not as overly sad of some of their other tunes (ie. Im Crying For All Of Us) but I find So Sorry, I Said equally touching.
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