Kane Brown & John Legend, Last Time I Say Sorry | Track Review 🎵

A totally unlikely duo, superstars Kane Brown & John Legend collaborate on the thoughtful single, “Last Time I Say Sorry.”

Raise your hand if you were anticipating a collaboration between Kane Brown and John Legend.  Didn’t think so.  Well, on “Last Time I Say Sorry,” such a collaboration comes to fruition.  From my perspective, both artists are quite talented.  I’ve been a big Legend fan since the days he was soulfully singing background on Kanye West’s The College Dropout – 2003.  As for Brown, I became hip to him beginning with his second studio album, Experiment.  That said, I never expected the two – country and R&B respectively – to unite.  Does it work out?

By my estimation, “Last Time I Say Sorry” has its fair share of beautiful moments. Separately, both John Legend and Kane Brown sound quite nice.  Legend sings the first half of the first verse, with Brown following on the second half.  This allows you to analyze them separately.  That considered, arguably, Brown exhibits the more fitting tone for this record.  That’s not that far-fetched – it is a country record after all and that’s Brown’s lane.

When they sing together, there are a couple of bumps in the road.  The biggest bump is actually at the onset, where Legend dominates, while Brown sings in a lower register.  This is an off-putting moment in my eyes, particularly because they are singing the chorus together – the centerpiece of the record:

“I won’t say I’m sorry over and over
Can’t just say I’m sorry, I’ve gotta show you
I won’t do it again; I’ll prove my love is true
I hope the last time I said sorry
Is the last time I’ll say sorry to you.”

Things improve when Brown sings higher and harmonies come into play. The songwriting is dedicated, repentant, of course, sorrowful.  The production and sound embrace more of the pop end of country, which should please some though turn off others.

Final Thoughts

So, does “Last Time I Say Sorry” work out for Kane Brown and John Legend? I’d say it’s a moderate success, not necessarily a resounding one.  I’m not sure that I would’ve paired Brown and Legend but, for the most part, it’s respectable.  I definitely appreciate the messaging and thoughtful nature of the record – the sentimental vibes.  Ultimately, it has its fair share of moments.

Kane Brown & John Legend • “Last Time I Say Sorry” • Sony Music Entertainment • Release: 3.27.20

Photo Credit: Sony Music Entertainment