Week 756: “You Don’t Know This, But I’m Sorry” by Juan Pablo Garcia

Maybe I was joking around and I said something that hurt you more than you let on.

It might have been a really bad day for me. Perhaps it was a day when I didn’t have the patience I would normally have, or the jokes I can usually reach for, or the smile I would normally share.

Maybe I didn’t respond when you needed me to.

Or maybe I responded too quickly, without the effort that would have made you feel better.

It could be that I accidentally excluded you. Or did it on purpose to impress someone else.

I might have been too busy watching the waves I was making to consider the boats of those around me.

I might have been too focused on straight ahead to check my side mirrors.

The worst part is, I might not even know I hurt you, and that might make you feel worse.

Please know that if I could do it over again, I would do better.

I hope you know that.

I hope I didn’t hurt you.

But if I did, I’m sorry.

What makes this a beautiful song:

1. It’s full of texture. The mechanics of the piano, the ringing of each note. Even the silence has texture; it’s either some kind of vinyl crackle added after the fact, or else the mic is so sensitive that it’s picking up the sound of dust hitting it.

2. After floating around on an un-resolving rotation of chords for most of its duration, the song finds its light at 2:25. The sudden brightening is a wonderful relief, like an apology finally being accepted.

3. I couldn’t think of a third thing. Sorry.

Recommended listening activity:

Checking to see if there’s anywhere that sells olive branches near you.

Spotify.