Sam,
this is one of my favorites. Willie not only wrote great ones but he picked great ones to perform.

1stly the bridge turns to hope - a real bridge from "I apologize". It says in many specific ways "I didn't give you the attention you deserve" and so is very focused. This contrasts with the hook which makes it stand out and screams the emotion repeated in the bridge.

AND it describes a very common situation of a man not giving a woman sufficient attention- just an average guy caught up in making a living. On the brink of losing her he sees what's happened and tries to explain.

Men can all relate to the emotion. Women can all relate to the action(or lack of) and their own resulting emotion.

Mostly it is put in simple terms that concisely convey a lot. Everything is tangible. There is no poetic imagery to interpret.

One of the bestest evers,

John


Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword never had an editor.