Forgiveness

Album: Black and White (2011)
Charted: 49
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • London rapper Wretch 32's fourth single from his debut album Black and White finds him apologizing to those close to him for focusing on his music career. He explained in the album's release notes that it as "one of [those] tracks where I really spell it out a lot about my Mum and Grandad, it's me asking for forgiveness as I chase my dream."
  • The song was co-written and produced by Labrinth, who many of you will recognize from his solo hits "Let The Sun Shine" and "Earthquake." He also collaborated with Tinie Tempah on several of his hit singles including "Pass Out."
  • That is Labrinth's voice that you can hear singing his version of the chorus on the album version. It was removed for the edited single release.
  • The female voice you can hear belongs to Etta Bond, a British singer who was the first signing to Labrinth's record label Odd Child Recordings, an imprint of Simon Cowell's Syco Records. The collaboration came about following contact between Wretch and Bond via Myspace.
  • The original demo version of the track, which leaked in March 2011 featured vocals by Scottish singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé.
  • Matthew Walker directed the song's music video, which was shot in and around the St Mary Magdalene Church Paddington, London.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."