Forgiveness (Matthew West song)
"Forgiveness" is a song written and performed by Contemporary Christian musician, Matthew West. It was released as the first single from his 2012 album, Into the Light, on July 10, 2012.[1][3] The song peaked at No. 2 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, becoming his eleventh Top 10 single from that chart. The song spent 40 weeks on the overall chart.[4] The song is played in a C major key, and 89 beats per minute.[5]
"Forgiveness" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Matthew West | ||||
from the album Into the Light | ||||
Released | July 10, 2012[1] | |||
Genre | CCM, pop rock | |||
Length | 4:26 (album version) 4:00 (radio edit) | |||
Label | Sparrow | |||
Songwriter(s) | Matthew West[2] | |||
Producer(s) | Peter Kipley | |||
Matthew West singles chronology | ||||
|
Background
The song was inspired by the true story of Renee Napier, who chose to forgive Eric Smallridge, a drunk driver who took the life of her 20-year-old daughter.[6] As West explained to CCM Magazine, "the story made me take a look at my own life and ask myself if I'd be able to do the impossible, just like she did."[7]
The song was used in a promotional trailer for the release of Karen Kingsbury's 2013 novel The Chance.[8] The song is referenced at a key point in the novel, after one of the main characters realizes his harsh, judgmental attitude has left him estranged from his wife and daughter.
Track listing
- CD release[9]
- "Forgiveness" – 4:26
- "Forgiveness (Vocal Demonstration)" – 4:26
- "Forgiveness (High Key With Background Vocals)" – 4:26
- "Forgiveness (High Key Without Background Vocals)" – 4:26
- "Forgiveness (Medium Key With Background Vocals)" – 4:26
- "Forgiveness (Medium Key Without Background Vocals)" – 4:26
- "Forgiveness (Low Key With Background Vocals)" – 4:26
- "Forgiveness (Low Key Without Background Vocals)" – 4:26
- Digital download[10]
- "Forgiveness" – 4:27
- Digital download (acoustic version)[11]
- "Forgiveness" – 4:03
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
![](../I/Matthew_West_on_stage_with_Forgiveness_inspiration_Renee_Napier.jpg.webp)
References
- Matthew West (July 10, 2012). "Forgiveness". Amazon.com. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- SparrowRecords (July 13, 2012). "Matthew West - Forgiveness (Lyric Video)". YouTube. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- "Into The Light by Matthew West". ITunes. September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Forgiveness by Matthew West Billboard". Tunebat. January 1, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Key & BPM for Forgiveness by Matthew West". Tunebat. January 1, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- West, Matthew (August 6, 2012). "As Heard Highlights". p. 1. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- West, Matthew (July 23, 2012). "Matthew West- Forgiveness". CCM Magazine. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- Simon & Schuster Books (September 12, 2013). "Karen Kingsbury's The Chance". Retrieved January 3, 2018 – via YouTube.
- "Forgiveness Accompaniment/Performance Track". Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Forgiveness - Matthew West". iTunes. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Forgiveness (acoustic) - Matthew West". iTunes. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Matthew West - Christian AC Indicator History". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Matthew West - Christian AC History". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Matthew West Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Matthew West - Soft Christian AC History". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2012 - Billboard". Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2013 - Billboard". Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- "Hot Christian Songs – Decade-End 2010s". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.