Forgive Me (song)





"Forgive Me" is a song by British singer Leona Lewis featured on the North American version of her debut album Spirit (2008). It was released as the fourth single of the album in the United Kingdom on 3 November 2008. The song was written by Aliaune "Akon" Thiam, Claude Kelly and Giorgio Tuinfort, and produced by Akon. Lyrically, "Forgive Me" is a R&B, dance-pop and soul written in A minor. Its lyrics reference about a girl who has found a new love and she is asking forgiveness to her old love.

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, but some of them criticised Lewis's voice for being very similar those of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey voice. It was promoted on the television shows, such GMTV and The National Lottery Live The music video was released on 16 September 2008. It is inspired by several Broadway musicals, including Carousel and West Side Story. On it is also featured theJabbaWockeeZ dance crew. "Forgive Me" debuted at number five on theBritish and Irish charts, making it Lewis's fourth single to achieve the top ten in the UK. It peaked at number one in the Slovakia and reached the top ten in Italy and Sweden. In May 2010, the song was included in the setlist of her debut tour The Labyrinth.

Background and composition
 "Forgive Me" was written by Claude Kelly, Giorgio Tuinfort and Aliaune Thiam , and produced by the last. [1] The single was pressed with one B-side, "Myself", [2] written by Justin E. Boykin, Graham N. Marsh, Lewis and Alonzo Stevenson. [3]

 "Forgive Me" is an R&B, soul and dance-pop song written in A minor. [4] [5] It moves at 120 beats per minute and is set in common time. [4] [5] On it, Lewis performs her highest pitch ( G5 ) in falsetto during the final chorus, and her lowest pitch ( A3 ) during each verse. [4] [5] The song refers to a protagonist in a one-sided relationship who leaves her boyfriend and eventually finds someone to reciprocate her love. Though she has found love from someone else, she defends herself and asks her ex-boyfriend for forgiveness. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BBC1_5-0" style="line-height:1em;">[6] In an interview with Digital Spy, Lewis explained why she decided in change the musical genre of her previous singles, from contemporary R&B to dance-pop. She said: "I wanted to do something a bit different and the chance to work with Akon came about. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out and it's great that it's different, rather than what I always do." <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-6" style="line-height:1em;">[7] There are two versions of the song, the "album version" (3:41) and the "single mix" (3:25), which was used in the music video. The album version repeats the bridge two times, <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-booklet1_2-1" style="line-height:1em;">[3] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-7" style="line-height:1em;">[8]

Release and Promotion
<p style="line-height:19.196969985961914px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">The single cover was released on 17 September 2008,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-cover_8-0" style="line-height:1em;">[9] whilst the song was released in the UK on 3 November 2008 as the fourth single.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ll_9-0" style="line-height:1em;">[10] Originally, the song was featured only in the North American version of the album Spirit, launched in 2008.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10" style="line-height:1em;">[11] Despite this, it was not released as a single in the region. Later, "Forgive Me" was added in the deluxe edition of the album, which was released internationally in the same year.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-releasedate_11-0" style="line-height:1em;">[12]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">Lewis performed the song on the television programmes The National Lottery Live on 29 October 2008,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12" style="line-height:1em;">[13] and GMTV on 31 October 2008.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13" style="line-height:1em;">[14] Outside of the UK, she also performed the song on the Italian television show Carramba Che Sorpresa and on the Swedish talent show Idol.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14" style="line-height:1em;">[15] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15" style="line-height:1em;">[16] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" style="line-height:1em;">[17] In May 2010, the song was added to the setlist of her tour The Labyrinth, performed as the eighth song of the show.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-tour1_17-0" style="line-height:1em;">[18] A live performance from The O2 Arena was included on the live album's DVD The Labyrinth Tour Live from The O2.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-tour1_17-1" style="line-height:1em;">[18] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-tour_18-0" style="line-height:1em;">[19]

Critical Reception
<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">"Forgive Me" received generally positive reviews from music critics. The BBC<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">review of the single called "Forgive Me" a "danceable funky pop song". <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BBC1_5-1" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[6] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Gavin Martin of The Mirror<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> said, "[the song] showcases her voice of fire and honey. No apologies necessary". <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[20] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Nick Levine, Digital Spy<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> music critic, gave the song three out of five stars, comparing it with Whitney Houston<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">'s song " I'm Your Baby Tonight<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">" saying that after her previous three ballad singles, "it's a nice change". However, he also said, "the adultery-themed lyrics are a poor match for the sweet, unassuming Hackney<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> girl". <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[21] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Chad Grischow noted that with the song Lewis "will not go down as a glorified one-hit wonder<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">". <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[22] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Stephen Thomas Erlewine<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> described "Forgive Me", and another song ("Misses Glass") from the album as "just slightly glitzier than the rest of Spirit<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">." <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-allmusic_22-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[23] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> called the single 'bouncy and youthful'. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[24] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> The New York Times<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> criticised Lewis for being "a second-tier Mariah<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">" on the song. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[25]

Chart Performance
<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">"Forgive Me" debuted and peaked at number five in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2008, <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sc_UKchartstats_Leona_Lewis_25-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[26] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> becoming Lewis's third single in debut within the top ten, after " A Moment Like This<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">" and " Bleeding Love<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">". <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[27] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> In Ireland, before its official release as a single, it was the second highest debut of the week of the Irish Singles Chart<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, at number five. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[28] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> In the Slovak Airplay Chart<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, it debuted at number seventy-six and in its tenth week the song peaked at number one. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sc_Slovakia_Leona_Lewis_28-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[29] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Also, in the European Singles Chart<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> the song reached the number 11. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[30] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> In Italy<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, "Forgive Me" debuted at number nine, but fell off the chart next week. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[31] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Elsewhere in Europe, the song reached number seven in Sweden<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sc_Sweden_Leona_Lewis_31-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[32] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> twelve in Switzerland<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sc_Switzerland_Leona_Lewis_32-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[33] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> and fifteen in both Austria <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sc_Austria_Leona_Lewis_33-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[34] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> and Germany. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sc_Germany_Lewis.2CLeona_34-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[35] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> The song entered the Australian charts<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> at number fifty on 19 October 2008, <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[36] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-36" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[37] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> and next week peaked at forty-nine. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sc_Australia_Leona_Lewis_37-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[38] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Later, "Forgive Me" dropped out of the chart, but on 10 November 2009, it re-entered at number fifty. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[39] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> In the 2008 UK year-end chart, compiling the best-selling singles of the year, "Forgive Me" was eighty-fifth. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Y-E_39-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[40]

Lyrics
There's a first time for everything It's definitely one of them nights I knew when I looked in his eyes That he was gonna be trouble for me I never wanted to lie I knew that my baby would cry If he knew what we were doing But if his love don't pass the test I gotta get it from somewhere else When I'm gone and I need a man Hope he understands Forgive me baby

I gotta take a chance tonight So I'm doing me, myself and I Can wait no more Sitting all alone Man, I really hope Hope you forgive me Oh oh Hope you forgive me Oh oh Hope you forgive me Oh oh I can wait no more Man, I really hope Hope you forgive me

Been a long time since I Did something good for myself But why should I be put through hell? He's doing what he wanna do I finally found somebody else Who really wants to make me feel Things that I've been missing so long And his love always passed the test It's a shame I had to look somewhere else When I'm gone and I need a man I just hope that he understands Forgive me baby

I gotta take a chance tonight So I'm doing me, myself and I Can wait no more Sitting all alone Man, I really hope Hope you forgive me Oh oh Hope you forgive me Oh oh Hope you forgive me Oh oh I can wait no more Man, I really hope Hope you forgive me

Forgive me but I need to be loved too Forgive me but I can't wait around for you Forgive me if I found a man Who understands just what I need Forgive me but I need to be loved too Forgive me if I can't wait around for you Forgive me if I found a man who understands Forgive me baby

I gotta take a chance tonight So I'm doing me, myself and I Can wait no more Sitting all alone Man, I really hope Hope you forgive me Oh oh Hope you forgive me Oh oh Hope you forgive me Oh oh I can wait no more Man, I really hope Hope you forgive me

I gotta take a chance tonight So I'm doing me, myself and I Can wait no more Sitting all alone Man, I really hope Hope you forgive me

Music Video
<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">The music video for the song was filmed in May 2008 and directed by Wayne Isham<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-disc3_40-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[41] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> It premiered on 16 September 2008. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-asb_41-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[42] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> It starts out with Lewis receiving a text message from her boyfriend saying he is just a minute away from meeting up with her. The video then turns into a dream-like sequence with Lewis dancing in four set-ups inspired by the Hollywood<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> musicals West Side Story<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, The Rocky Horror Show<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, Singin' in the Rain<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> and Carousel<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-42" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[43] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> The video ends with Lewis coming back to reality after a drop of rain lands on her hand and her boyfriend sent a message saying "Hurry! Looks like there could be rain". The JabbaWockeeZ<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> dance crew also make an appearance in the Rocky Horror<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> scene in the video, dancing behind Lewis. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-asb_41-1" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[42]