What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry?

By Walter Donaldson & Abe Lyman
1926

Popular 1920s bandleader Lyman (pictured) wrote the lyrics to this tune by vastly underrated songwriter Donaldson, and introduced the song with his orchestra. It became one of the most popular songs of the decade, and an emblem of the Jazz Age. It was featured to great effect in the 1971 horror comedy The Abominable Dr. Phibes, which includes a plethora of great '20s songs.

Lyrics:

What can I say, dear, after I say I'm sorry?
What can I do to prove it to you that 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?

Recorded By:

Ella Fitzgerald
Josephine Baker
King Cole Trio
Carmen McRae
Keely Smith

I Cried for You

By Gus Arnheim, Arthur Freed & Abe Lyman
1923

A classic vaudeville-inspired '20s standard, introduced by Lyman's own orchestra (pictured). It was instantly popular, hitting the top 20 twice with two different bands in its first year. The melody is inventive, with an octave that lets a singer show what they've got; and the gloating lyric is that of a spurned lover wishing ill upon her ex. Sinatra breathed new life into it for his 1957 Joey Lewis biopic The Joker Is Wild.

Lyrics:

I cried for you,
Now it's your turn to cry over me.
Every road has a turning,
Thats one thing you're learning.

I cried for you--
What a fool I used to be.
Now I've found two eyes
Just a little bit bluer,
I've found a heart
Just a little bit truer.

I cried for you,
Now it's your turn to cry over me.

Recorded By:

Billie Holiday
Bing Crosby
Bunny Berigan
Harry James
Count Basie