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When you’ve been deeply hurt or betrayed, it’s a normal human reaction to become resentful and angry at those who hurt you.
Holding on to these heavy emotions for a long time has negative effects. Buddha describes holding on to anger as “…grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”
However, you probably agree that forgiving someone for the hurt they’ve inflicted on you can be a hard thing to do.
But if you want to regain your happiness and sense of freedom, it’s important to learn how to forgive. It may not happen overnight, but the sooner you start, the sooner you will get there. Today might just be the best time to start letting bygones be bygones.
Music Channels the Healing Power of Forgiveness
Today’s article features a collection of songs about forgiveness to help open your heart and mind to the process of finally forgiving someone for hurting you.
Music has a way of evoking powerful emotions and inspiring people to do wonderful things that reunite and heal them.
In this post, you’ll find songs that describe the benefits of forgiveness.
There are also tracks about the redemptive power of being forgiven.
Meanwhile, other songs are about the concept of forgiveness from a religious perspective.
Before checking out the collection, let’s quickly look at the indicators that your heart is finally ready to forgive.
Is It Time to Finally Bury the Hatchet?
You may be ready to forgive when you notice the following signs:
1. You are able to see the situation from the perspective of the one who hurt you. You no longer feel like you’re a victim. Instead, you are willing to put yourself in the shoes of the one who did you wrong and see the situation through their eyes.
2. You feel compassion for the person who hurt you. This doesn’t mean you’re okay with what they did to you—it means you understand that, because the person is human, they are capable of making mistakes.
3. You no longer feel the need to take revenge. In the past, you may have imagined or even wished ill on the person who hurt you. You may have wanted them to feel the same kind of hurt they inflicted on you. When you’re ready to forgive, you no longer have these thoughts.
4. You feel at peace with what happened in the past. When you’re ready to forgive, you’ll discover that you can accept what happened in the past without being emotional. When you begin to accept the event for what it is, and to realize that the only thing to do now is move forward, then you are ready to forgive.
Let’s check out some tracks that will change your life for the better.
1. I Forgive You, Rachelle Ferrell
“I forgive you. Totally, completely now. What a freedom just releasing from my heart, from my mind and soul!”
This song is about the freedom we gain when we forgive another person. The pain goes away and we can truly move forward again, without baggage from the past.
2. Hurt, Christina Aguilera
“Oh, I’m sorry for blaming you, for everything I just couldn’t do. And I’ve hurt myself by hurting you.”
In this song, Christina Aguilera takes responsibility for the consequences of her actions.
She has hurt someone who is very close to her. After realizing what she has done, she offers an apology and owns up to what she did.
She realizes that, by hurting that person, she also hurt herself.
3. 4 AM, Our Lady Peace
“Then a phone call made me realize I’m wrong. And if I don’t make it known that I’ve loved you all along. Just like sunny days that we ignore. Because we’re all dumb and jaded. And, and I hope to God I figure out what’s wrong.”
Sometimes, we put a lot of energy into blaming others (especially our main caregivers) for our misfortunes in life.
However, when we realize that these people are also struggling to keep it all together, we can be more forgiving and understanding of their situation.
This realization makes it easier to let go of our anger at them.
This song describes such a scenario. Although no words of apology are uttered, the narrator’s remorse is palpable.
4. Forgive and Forget, You Me At Six
“Can we forgive and forget, if only for the weekend?”
This song is a plea for reconciliation, or even just a truce. It’s never easy to ask for forgiveness, but this song makes that attempt.
5. Don’t Want to Fight Anymore, Julie Jules
“Just want to get along. Don’t wanna fight anymore.”
This song is about wishing for peace in a relationship. The person is tired of constantly arguing with her partner and wishes that they could stop fighting, even for a day.
6. I Forgive You, Kelly Clarkson
“I forgive you for every time that I cried over some stupid thing you did to hurt me. That’s right. Yeah, I forgive you.”
This song is about a girl who has matured enough to realize that the relationship she had when she was younger wasn’t right for her. She forgives her ex and herself.
This allows her to move on without shame, and without blame for what happened in the past, showing us the redemptive power of forgiveness.
7. Tranquility, 311
“Journey in peace now. You don’t have to be afraid. Though mistakes, they have been made. Journey in peace now.”
This song is about being forgiven for the mistakes you’ve made in the past.
These events may have happened because you weren’t experienced enough or didn’t know any better at that time.
You can move forward and be at peace with the understanding that many of your past mistakes are forgiven.
8. Always on My Mind, Willie Nelson
“Maybe I didn't love you quite as often as I could have. Maybe I didn't treat you quite as good as I should have. If I made you feel, oh, second best (you did, you did), girl, I'm sorry I was blind.”
This song is about asking for forgiveness for taking one’s love for granted. It’s about asking for a second chance to make things right.
9. Sometimes, No Doubt
“But I must forgive myself and let the past lay down to rest. And I’ll be prepared to face myself another day.”
Looking for a song about forgiving yourself? This track from No Doubt might fit the bill.
This song is about learning how to forgive yourself so you can finally move forward and embrace the life that’s waiting for you.
10. Angry Anymore, Ani DiFranco
“I just want you to understand that I know what all the fighting was for. And I just want you to understand that I’m not angry anymore. No, I’m not angry anymore.”
This song is about a young woman who finally learns to let go of the anger that has overshadowed most of her life.
She had contentious parents, but now that she’s older, she is able to reflect on the circumstances of her past.
She now understands that it isn’t necessary to fight about everything, and that she can achieve peace in her current relationship.
11. The Daughters, Little Big Town
“Wash the dishes, feed the kids and clean up all this mess. Do my best, forgive myself and look good in this dress.”
This song is about forgiving yourself for accepting the roles society has imposed on you, especially if you’re a woman.
Sometimes, opposing social norms just takes too much energy and power. One cannot keep fight the contradicting expectations of society without eventually succumbing to the pressure.
And you can only just forgive yourself for not being able to fight back.
12. Forgiven, Sanctus Real
“In this life, I know what I’ve been. But here in Your arms, I know what I am. I’m forgiven… And I don’t have to carry the weight of what I’ve been ’cause I’m forgiven.”
This song takes a Christian perspective of forgiveness. It tells believers that Jesus Christ has forgiven their sins.
Therefore, they can now rejoice, secure in the knowledge that their past transgressions have been forgiven.
13. Better in Time, Leona Lewis
“Thought I couldn't live without you. It's gonna hurt when it heals too, oh yeah. It'll all get better in time. And even though I really love you, I'm gonna smile 'cause I deserve to. It'll all get better in time.”
Time is the greatest healer. After a breakup, the woman in this song realizes that she has to let time heal her pain.
Perhaps she will eventually learn to forgive her ex who hurt her.
14. Bleed Red, Ronnie Dunn
“Let's say we're sorry before it's too late. Give forgiveness a chance. Turn the anger into water. Let it slip through our hands.”
This song is about the importance of forgiving each other.
Most of the time, all we can see are our differences.
However, this song reminds us that we are all the same—feeling the same emotions and experiencing the same milestones in life.
There’s no reason for us to hold grudges against each other.
15. Johnny, Come Home, Fine Young Cannibals
“Johnny, we're sorry. Won't you come on home? We worry. Won't you come on? What is wrong in my life that I must get drunk every night? Johnny, we're sorry.”
Sometimes, parents can make mistakes in how they treat their children.
This song is a plea for a runaway son to come home. The parents try to apologize for what they have done so that their son will return.
16. People Change, Mipso
“I used to love you like the world would end. I used to love you like a child. The thing about people is they change when they walk away.”
This song is about how the passage of time helps a person forgive.
The narrator remembers how they used to love someone. Perhaps the narrator has forgiven the person for what they did.
However, they also realize there’s no going back, because so much has already changed.
All he can do now is remember how much he loved that person in the past.
17. Healing, Riley Clemmons
“Now I'm healing… I'm here unashamed. I found strength through the pain. What was broken is standing again. And I'm healing. Now I'm healing.”
This song is about reaching the other side of a horrible situation. It’s finally time for the person to heal, allowing them to focus on forgiveness and growth, as well as letting go of anger.
18. I Want to Say I’m Sorry, Andrew Peterson
“Well, I want to say I'm sorry but I don't know how. But I'm sorry, I'm so sorry now. I said some words to you I wish I never said. I know words can kill ’cause something's dead.”
Words are like weapons. When we say hurtful things, their effects can often run so deep that nothing can make up for the pain that has been inflicted.
This song is written in the form of a letter of forgiveness. The person takes accountability for his actions, which caused a rift between him and someone he cares about.
However, it might be too late, as the relationship is already broken beyond repair.
19. The Apology I’ll Never Receive, Roxanne Emery
“I can't keep on waiting for you to say sorry. All of the anger, it's poisoned body. If you ever listen to this song I've written, I want you to know you're already forgiven.”
This song is dedicated to a father who abandoned his family.
His daughter grows up and lives a difficult life. She writes this song as the forgiveness she gives to the person whose apology she won’t receive anytime soon.
After all, forgiveness is mainly for the one doing the forgiving. It allows them to be at peace and finally free from the heavy burden of the past.
20. Let’s Be Us Again, Lonestar
“Look at me, I’m way past pride. Isn’t there some way that we can try to be us again? Even if it takes a while, I’ll wait right here until I see that smile that says we’re us again.”
This song is about a romantic partner asking for forgiveness and a second chance. The partner did things that hurt the person they care about, and they are now full of regret.
In this song, the narrator recognizes the mistakes he made and is trying to make amends, hoping that the person he loves will take him back.
21. Hold on Tightly, John Denver
“You've got to hold on tightly. Let go lightly. It's only surrender, it's all in the game. If you just hold on tightly, let go lightly. There's always forgiveness and no one to blame.”
The secret to living a carefree life is to let go of the things that bring you down.
Forgiveness is the key to this. Stop blaming other people. This song encourages listeners to let go of the past and anger.
22. The Apology Song (OST for The Book of Life), Diego Luna
“Although we were bred to fight, I reach for kindness in your heart tonight. And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive, love can truly live.”
This song is one of the original tracks from the animated film The Book of Life. In it, the main character, a bullfighter, recognizes that his ancestors committed injustice against thousands of fighting bulls.
The young bullfighter sings this song as an apology for the cruelty the bulls received at the hands of the other bullfighters in his family.
The apology serves as a way for both the bull and the bullfighter to move on.
23. Forgiveness, Matthew West
“Forgiveness. It’ll clear the bitterness away. It can even set a prisoner free. There is no end to what its power can do. So, let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace. The prisoner that it really frees is you.”
Would you be able to forgive someone who has taken the life of a person you love very much?
This song is inspired by real-life events. Years ago, a mother lost her daughter in a car accident. Ultimately, the mother decides to forgive the young man who caused her daughter’s death.
The song describes the redemptive power of forgiveness and how it changes lives for the better.
24. Where Forgiveness Is, Sidewalk Prophets
“Now I'm letting go of anger, pride and pain. I'm going back to a place where hope collides with grace again. Freedom's where forgiveness is.”
This song is a powerful reminder that forgiveness sets people free. It is the only way to get rid of the anger that slowly eats at your heart.
25. Forgiveness, Collective Soul
“It used to be all I'd want to learn was wisdom, trust, and truth. But now all I really want to learn is forgiveness for you.”
This song is inspired by actual events in the songwriter’s life. It highlights the importance of forgiveness for one’s inner peace.
However, forgiving someone is not always easy to do. The song captures how the songwriter struggled to let go of his resentment and anger, and to learn to forgive not just the person who hurt him, but himself, as well.
26. Forgiven Not Forgotten, The Corrs
“You’re forgiven, not forgotten.”
Here’s another song that emphasizes the importance of forgiveness for healing.
This song describes how painful it is to hold on to grudges. It expresses the desire to be given a second chance to make things right.
27. Forgiveness and Love, Miley Cyrus
“The only thing that our hearts are made of are the acts of forgiveness and love. The only thing real when push comes to shove are the acts of forgiveness and love. ’Cause in the end no one loses or wins. The story begins again and again with forgiveness and love.”
This song is a wonderful reminder that acts of forgiveness and love pave the way forward for all of humanity.
It tells us that, despite all of the hurt and betrayal we experience, we are capable of letting go of the pain and embracing the future through forgiveness and love.
28. Most People Are Good, Luke Bryan
“I believe we gotta forgive and make amends. ‘Cause nobody gets a second chance to make new old friends.”
This song urges listeners to focus on the positive side of life and let bygones be bygones. This way, life’s burdens become lighter and easier to carry.
29. For What It’s Worth, Liam Gallagher
“For what it's worth, I'm sorry for the hurt. I'll be the first to say, ‘I made my own mistakes.’ For what it's worth, I know it's just a word and words betray. But sometimes we lose our way. For what it's worth.”
In this song, a man apologizes for the hurtful words he has said. He takes responsibility by admitting the negative consequences of his actions and admitting that he was in the wrong.
This is the ideal scenario, where the person who wronged you offers an apology. However, there are occasions when the person who hurts you will not apologize at all.
Nevertheless, when you’re ready, you can still forgive the person, even though you never received an apology.
30. So Easy to Forgive Her (But So Hard to Forget), Hank Williams Jr.
“I try hard to solve life's puzzle but old memories won't fit. It's so easy to forgive her but so hard to forget.”
This song is about a man whose wife is having an affair. The husband knows about his wife’s infidelity, but forgives her.
However, the husband is aware that the infidelity is still going on, and finds it difficult to process forgiving his wife.
How do you forgive someone who keeps hurting you?
Sometimes, the only thing left to do is leave for the sake of your own sanity and well-being.
31. Posthumous Forgiveness, Tame Impala
“I wanna say, ‘It's all right.’ You're just a man after all. And I know you had demons. I got some of my own. I think you passed them along.”
This song is dedicated to the singer’s estranged father who has passed away.
It is about a son forgiving his father for the missed opportunities that they could have spent together as family. However, the son accepts the situation and even points out similarities between himself and his deceased father.
It is a wistful song, with the son wishing his father could have been present during significant moments in his life.
32. Forgive Me Now, George Jones
“It's my fault my heart is broken. Angry words that we have spoken. I'm so sorry now, for I have seen the light. I only hope that you still love me 'cause I'll swear by stars above me. Forgive me now and I will always do what's right.”
In this song, an ex-lover asks to be forgiven for his mistakes. He makes big promises to do better if his former partner takes him back.
But should a second chance be given?
33. Turning Tables, Adele
“I won't let you close enough to hurt me. No, I won't rescue you to just desert me. I can't give you what you think you gave me. It's time to say goodbye to turning tables.”
In this song, a woman finally leaves a toxic relationship and establishes new boundaries.
She frees herself by refusing to engage in the toxic pattern. She forgives her ex-lover, but knows that she doesn’t have to stay in the relationship.
34. Heart of the World, Lady Antebellum
“If oil is the soul of the engine and wine is the drink of the Gods. Forgiveness the road to redemption, faith can still beat the odds.”
This song highlights the importance of forgiveness as the road to redemption. Life is easier when you carry faith, hope, and love with you through any challenge you face.
35. Someone Like You, Adele
“Never mind, I'll find someone like you. I wish nothing but the best for you. ‘Don't forget me,’ I beg. I remember you said, ‘Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead.’”
This song is about letting go of the bitter feelings and memories about a failed relationship.
The woman has moved on enough to be able to wish her ex-lover the best in his life without her. Nevertheless, the pain of their breakup still lingers.
36. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word, Elton John
“It’s sad, so sad. Why can’t we talk it over? Oh, it seems to me that sorry seems to be the hardest word.”
Saying sorry is difficult for many people.
Pride and the fear of appearing weak prevents them from asking for forgiveness, even when they know, deep in their heart, that they are at fault.
If you intend to ask for someone’s forgiveness, here are some useful tips to get you started on the right foot.
37. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Grievances, Daniel Johnston
“Don't let the sun go down on your grievances. Start each day with a clean slate. You'll feel better if you can shake off all that hate. And don't forget to forgive and forget. Don't let the sun go down on your grievances.”
This song reminds us to not hold on to anger and hatred for a long time. There are benefits you can reap from forgiving those who have wronged you.
According to a Johns Hopkins Medicine article, the act of forgiveness improves your overall physical and mental health. Better start letting go of those negative feelings, right?
38. All in a Family, Loudon Wainwright III
“It’s all in a family, that’s no lie. It’ll stay that way after we die. You forgive, forget, and finally see when you get to hold the new baby.”
Family members and other people close to you tend to be the ones who hurt you the most. However, it’s through them that you learn the importance of forgiveness and unconditional love.
39. Sweet Forgiveness, Bonnie Raitt
“Sweet forgiveness, you help me see I'm not near as bad as I sometimes appear to be when you hold me close and you say: ‘That's all over’ and ‘I still love you.’”
This song illustrates unconditional love and forgiveness. Listeners are introduced to someone who is capable of forgiving a partner who has done them wrong.
They forget about the transgression and move on, expressing the fact that they still love the person, even though they’ve done something to hurt them.
40. No Place for Hate, Ron Ovadia ft. Tina Meeks
“There’s no place for hate in our heart. Hate only tears people apart. No place for hate in our heart. Letting it go is the place to start. There’s no place for hate and no time to wait. When we let it go, we let love in. There’s no place for hate in our heart.”
This song is a reminder about the importance of letting go of hatred. When we let go of hate instead of letting it fester in our hearts, we can cultivate love for each other.
41. Whatever It Takes, Lifehouse
“I'll do whatever it takes to turn this around. I know what's at stake, I know that I've let you down. And if you give me a chance, believe that I can change. I'll keep us together whatever it takes.”
This song is about asking for a second chance, and perhaps even forgiveness. It’s about promising to do whatever it takes to right the wrong that has been done, and to make things better the second time around.
42. Low Man’s Lyric, Metallica
“So low the sky is all I see. All I want from you is forgive me. So you bring this poor dog in from the rain. Though he just wants right back out again. My eyes seek reality. My fingers seek my veins.”
This song is about a drug addict asking for a second chance to be accepted and loved.
He asks for forgiveness, fully aware that his addiction compels him to seek out self-destructive habits.
43. I Forgive You, Kelly Pickler
“And I’ve cursed your name. I’ve tried to numb the pain. There’s no whiskey, there’s no pills to change the way it feels. And I’ve prayed and prayed for it to go away. There’s only one thing left for me to do. I forgive you.”
This song is a reminder that you can never heal as long as you continue to carry hate and anger for the person who hurt you. You will always find yourself stuck in a self-destructive loop.
This song shows the way out. Forgiveness is the key to your freedom and true happiness.
Final Thoughts on Songs About Forgiveness
The process of forgiving someone for hurting you does not happen overnight. It can often take months or even years.
There are even instances when a person spends their entire life processing what happened, and are only able to forgive right at the end.
The important thing is that they eventually start working on forgiving and letting go of the anger and pain.
This is the only way to regain the freedom they have lost by harboring negative feelings for so long.
We hope that this collection of songs about forgiveness inspires you to start the process of forgiving those who have hurt you. In doing so, you’ll be able to let go of the burdens of the past and be ready to receive more joy and love in your life.
If you enjoyed this article, you might want to check out more posts about song compilations for specific topics:
- 45 Best Songs About Moving On & Letting Go of the Past
- 31 Best Gratitude & Thank You Songs
- 35 Best Songs About Sons and the Parenting Relationship
