TORONTO – Embattled Toronto mayor Rob Ford took to the airwaves Sunday to apologize for his “mistakes.”
To the dismay of music lovers, he passed up the chance to evoke Whitney Houston’s 2002 declaration that “crack is whack.”
Ford also didn’t quote Brenda Lee (“I’m sorry, so sorry, that I was such a fool … Please accept my apology”) or borrow the mantra of Amy Winehouse (“They tried to make me go to rehab, I said no, no, no”) – but instead seemed to be inspired by Gloria Gaynor (“I’ve got all my life to live, I’ve got all my love to give, and I’ll survive, I will survive, I will survive”).
Here’s a playlist inspired by Ford’s mea culpa. (Don’t worry, we didn’t have room to include Dee Dee Sharp’s “Gravy.”)
“I’M SORRY” – BRENDA LEE
In this Grammy-nominated 1960 hit, Brenda Lee sings a heartfelt apology to her boyfriend. It’s fitting for Ford, though, because the song doesn’t specify what Lee is apologizing for – except her “mistakes.”
“SORRY, SO SORRY” – HOWIE DAY
In this 2002 song, Day sings: “I swear I really didn’t know. So I’m sorry, so sorry.” Sounds like something someone who just found out he was under police surveillance might say.
“SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD” – ELTON JOHN
When Elton John recorded the song in March 1976 – in Toronto – he couldn’t possibly have known how apt these words would be 37 years later: “It’s a sad, sad situation. And it’s getting more and more absurd.”
“HARD TO SAY I’M SORRY” – CHICAGO
This 1982 hit starts with “Everyone needs some time away” – a sentiment Ford apparently doesn’t believe.
“I’M SORRY” – HALL & OATES
“I said I’m sorry,” sings Daryl Hall in this track from the duo’s 1972 debut. It’s something we’re going to hear Ford repeat when peppered with questions from reporters.
“SORRY FOR PARTY ROCKING” – LMFAO
It wasn’t immediately clear what Ford was apologizing for, so we can only guess. Perhaps he was saying sorry for party rocking? When asked if the video for this song depicted one of his typical weekends, Ford replied: “I can’t comment on a video I have never seen or does not exist.” (No he didn’t – ed.)
“ALL APOLOGIES” – NIRVANA
Ford echoed this 1993 song from Nirvana’s In Utero album during his public apology on the radio. “Everything is my fault,” sings Kurt Cobain. “I’ll take all the blame, I’ll concede from shame.”
“APOLOGIZE” – TIMBALAND FEAT. ONE REPUBLIC
This 2007 remix of the One Republic song will no doubt resonate with those Toronto voters who feel “it’s too late to apologize.”
“DON’T JUDGE ME” – CHRIS BROWN
Ford promised that “…to move forward I have to make changes in my life. Which I can assure you that I will do.” Rap star Chris Brown checked himself into rehab this month because, according to his rep: “His goal is to gain focus and insight into his past and recent behavior, enabling him to continue the pursuit of his life and his career from a healthier vantage point.”
“PERFECT” – HEDLEY
“I’m the first one to admit I’m not perfect … I can just move forward and learn from the past, which I’ll assure you I’m doing.” – Rob Ford on Sunday. Jacob Hoggard of Hedley in this 2010 song: “I’m not perfect, but I keep trying, because that’s what I said I’d do from the start.”
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