I'm Sorry chords

by Brenda Lee

Original Published Key: Bb Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 70 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Intermediate 🟠

Chords: Bb, Bdim7, Cm7, F7, A7

Arrangement Beginners Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
Bb Major Bb Major barre chord Bdim7 Cm7 F7 A7
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
Bb Major-LH Bb Major barre chord-LH Bdim7-LH Cm7 barre chord-LH F7 barre chord-LH A7-LH
Speed: x0.1

I'm Sorry

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
                     Bb      A7    Bb    Bdim7   Cm7   F7   
Intro: 4/4 | -  Oo | Oo...|      |    -        |     -    |

 Bb           A7
1. I'm sorry,   so sor-ry,
 Bb                  Bdim7
   That I was such a fool
Cm7         F7
   I didn't know,
Cm7           F7      Bb       Bdim7
   Love could be so | cruel -        |
               Cm7
   Oh, oh, oh, oh
      F7         
   Uh-oh...  Oh, yes
 
 Bb              A7      
   You tell me,    mis takes,
 Bb                   Bdim7
   Are part of be-ing young
      Cm7           F7
   But   that don't right,
Cm7     F7                 Bb      Bdim7   Cm7    F7  
   The wrong that's been | done -        |     -     |  
   
 
 Bb                    A7 
2. (I'm sorry) I'm sor-ry
                     Bb
   (So sorry) So sor-ry
                             Bdim7
   Please ac-cept my a-pol-o-gy
       Cm7        F7
   But    love is blind
       Cm7          F7         Bb     Bdim7
   And    I was too blind to | see -        |
               Cm7
   Oh, oh, oh, oh
      F7         
   Uh-oh...  Oh, yes
 
 Bb              A7      
   You tell me,    mis takes,
 Bb                   Bdim7
   Are part of be-ing young
      Cm7           F7
   But   that don't right,
Cm7    F7                  Bb      Bdim7
   The wrong that's been | done -        |
               Cm7
   Oh, oh, oh, oh
      F7         
   Uh-oh...  Oh, yes 
   
 
 Bb           A7
3. I'm sorry,   so sor-ry,
                             Bdim7
   Please ac-cept my a-pol-o-gy
       Cm7        F7
   But    love is blind
       Cm7          F7        Bb
   And    I was too blind to  see...(Sorry)

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: Bb Major - 2 flats (Bb, Eb)
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Slowly
  • Metronome: ♩ = 70
  • Voice Range: F3 - Bb5
  • Chord Types Used:
    🔹 Major chord: Bb
    🔹 Minor seventh chords: Cm7
    🔹 Diminished seventh chord: Bdim7
    🔹 Dominant seventh chords: F7, A7

🎸Beginner Guitarists:

This song is rated Intermediate because chords like Bb, Cm7, and F7 are typically played as barre chords, which can be challenging for beginners.

The easiest key for beginners is C Major with chords: C, C#dim7, Dm7, G7, B7.

C#dim7: Although it looks difficult, C#dim7 is surprisingly easy to play:

C#dim7: C#-E-G-A#
🎸 Frets  Notes Fingers
e|---3---  ← G     4th
B|---2---  ← C#    2nd
G|---3---  ← A#    3rd
D|---2---  ← E     1st
A|-------    
E|-------

Playing along with the video:
  • The official video requires a capo on the 10th fret, which is not ideal for most guitars.
  • On longer‑neck guitars, it may work, but the sound will be pitched high.
  • A better option: de‑tune each string one whole step and play in C Major — this will sound in Bb Major, matching the original recording.
🎸 Standard Tuning (E A D G B e) 
e|-----------------  (1st string = high E)
B|-----------------  (2nd string = B)
G|-----------------  (3rd string = G)
D|-----------------  (4th string = D)
A|-----------------  (5th string = A)
E|-----------------  (6th string = low E)

🎸 Whole Step Down Tuning (D G C F A D) 
d|-----------------  (1st string becomes D)
A|-----------------  (2nd string becomes A)
F|-----------------  (3rd string becomes F)
C|-----------------  (4th string becomes C)
G|-----------------  (5th string becomes G)
D|-----------------  (6th string becomes D)

Song Details:

Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriter: Dub Albritten, Ronnie Self
  • Lyrics Begin: I'm sorry, so sorry, that I was such a fool.
  • Genre: Country
  • Featured Artist: Brenda Lee
  • Single:
    Recorded: 28 March 1960
    Released: 16 May 1960
    A-side: That's All You Gotta Do
  • Album: Brenda Lee
    Recorded: October 19, 1958 – March 28, 1960
    Released: August 1, 1960
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