Dobson co-wrote Miley Cyrus' single "Start All Over" and in 2010 she released her third studio album "Joy".
Dobson was discovered and signed by Jive Records in 2000. The record label wanted to give her a traditional pop star image. Dobson, however, wanted more guitar and to include some of her own written songs. Jive rejected the idea, so she left the record company. She found herself singing in a Toronto bar at 8:30 in the morning. It turned out a CEO at The Island Def Jam Music Group was in the bar that very morning. He wanted to sign her. They signed her up on the wrong lyrics. She sang her song "Stupid Little Love Song" and what the people thought she sang was "Stupid Little Buzz Saw" which they thought was "genius".
She met producer Jay Levine through Island Records and they began working on her music. “He just really let me be free. He found something in me that he really thought was special, it was just fate”. When in the recording studio, she hung up inspirational pictures of Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, Coldplay, Jeff Buckley and the Vines, to help motivate her sound and to commemorate the artists who influenced her.
Dobson's self-titled debut album was released December 9, 2003 by Island Records and sold 307,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Four singles were released from the album; "Bye Bye Boyfriend," "Take Me Away", "Everything", and "Don't Let Me Fall". "Take Me Away" and "Everything" were used in the film The Perfect Score.
During much of 2004, Dobson promoted her debut album, appearing for a live performance on TRL and numerous magazine covers and articles. Dobson made an appearance on NBC's TV series American Dreams where she played the role of Tina Turner, covering the song "River Deep, Mountain High". She was also the opening act on Justin Timberlake's European tour. That July, she released a new single, "Don't Go (Girls and Boys)", which was also featured in a Tommy Hilfiger commercial starring the singer. The album was later reissued with that single added. Dobson also had a new song, "If You Walk Away", on the soundtrack of Raising Helen.
Dobson released "Truth Anthem" on the Much Dance 2005 CD compilation, a benefit for the Canadian branch of War Child. In April 2005, Dobson was nominated for two Juno Awards, Pop Album of the Year and New Artist of the Year; both categories were won by Avril Lavigne. In the summer of 2005, Dobson was in a public service ad "Make Poverty History", which brings awareness to child poverty worldwide.
Unforgiven
Fefe Dobson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why you break your promises to me
Daddy daddy
Don't you know you hurt me constantly
And there's something I think you should know
I'm not the little girl you left waiting at home
All the hurt and pain you left with mom and me
I hope you're somewhere out there listening to this song
I hope you're thinking what you did was wrong
Well let me make it crystal clear for you to see
It's too late for I'm sorry
Sorry is a word you like to say
But sorry won't erase the things you did yesterday
And I want you to know that I didn't need you anyway
And this rope that we walk on is swaying
And the ties that bind us will never ever fray
But I want for you to know
You are
You are
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Daddy daddy
Fan of absolute simplicity
Daddy daddy
Expert in responsibility
Where were you when I fell down and skinned my knee
Where were you when I was scared to go to sleep
Where were you to soothe my insecurities
Why can't I be angry
Where were you the first time someone broke my heart
Where were you when I first learned to drive a car
Where were you when I plugged in my first guitar
It's too late for I'm sorry
And I want you to know that I didn't need you anyway
And this rope that we walk on is swaying
And the ties that bind us will never ever fray
But I want for you to know
You are
You are
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Sorry is a word you like to say
But sorry won't erase the things you did yesterday
And I want you to know that I didn't need you anyway
And this rope that we walk on is swaying
And the ties that bind us will never ever fray
But I want for you to know
You are
You are
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
In Fefe Dobson's song "Unforgiven", she addresses her absentee father who continuously broke promises and hurt her and her mother. She expresses her anger and frustration towards him and how his apologies just won't erase the pain and damage he has caused. Fefe states that she became independent and didn't need him in her life, but the emotional ties between them can never truly break. Throughout the song, she questions where he was during key moments in her life, such as when she fell down and skinned her knee, when she was scared to sleep, or when someone broke her heart.
The lyrics convey a sense of disappointment and resentment towards the father who was not there for her as a child and who still tries to make up for his mistakes with empty apologies. Fefe's strong vocals and emotive delivery add to the gravity and depth of the song, allowing the listener to feel her pain and frustration. The theme of the song is a common one, a daughter's relationship with her father, but Fefe Dobson's take on it is unique and personal, making the song relatable to many.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy daddy
Addressing a parent with a childish tone
Why you break your promises to me
Asking why a parent made and didn't keep promises
Don't you know you hurt me constantly
Expressing the hurt caused by parental actions
And there's something I think you should know
Introducing the main idea to be discussed
I'm not the little girl you left waiting at home
Acknowledging emotional and personal growth of the self
All the hurt and pain you left with mom and me
Blaming the parent for pain caused to both the singer and the other parent
Why can't I be angry
Questioning why anger is not an acceptable emotion for the singer to express
I hope you're somewhere out there listening to this song
Expressing the desire for the parent to hear the artist's message
I hope you're thinking what you did was wrong
Wishing for the parent to feel remorse for their actions
Well let me make it crystal clear for you to see
Stating the importance of the following message
It's too late for I'm sorry
Stating that an apology cannot fix the damage done
Sorry is a word you like to say
Pointing out the parent's tendency to apologize without taking action
But sorry won't erase the things you did yesterday
Explaining that an apology alone will not erase the effects of past actions
And I want you to know that I didn't need you anyway
Asserting the singer's independence and self-sufficiency
And this rope that we walk on is swaying
Metaphor for the unstable nature of their relationship
And the ties that bind us will never ever fray
Acknowledging that despite the instability, there is a permanent connection between them
You are Unforgiven
Stating that the parent's actions cannot be forgotten or excused
Where were you when I fell down and skinned my knee
Asking for parental presence during moments of vulnerability
Where were you when I was scared to go to sleep
Asking for parental reassurance during moments of fear or anxiety
Where were you to soothe my insecurities
Asking for parental validation during moments of doubt or insecurity
Where were you the first time someone broke my heart
Asking for advice or comfort during a difficult moment in love life
Where were you when I first learned to drive a car
Asking for parental guidance during moments of learning and growth
Where were you when I plugged in my first guitar
Asking for parental support during moments of artistic or personal expression
Unforgiven
Repeating the idea that the parent's actions cannot be forgiven
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOBSON, LEVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind