Macy Gray was originally hesitant to record a studio album due to what is, arguably, her most recognizable feature -- her voice. She started her music career as a songwriter. Her first album was actually a mistake; she was at the studio waiting for the person who was supposed to be singing her song, and the producer wanted to hear what one of the songs was supposed to sound like. Once she started singing, the producer liked the rough sound of her voice so much he offered her a record deal.
Forgiveness
Macy Gray Lyrics
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Gimme sound
Need to be touched by you but you're not around
Forgiveness
Please save some for me
Wash me down
Till I'm new
Till I'm pleasing you
Please save a little for me
Where is the forgiveness that you promised me
Am I too late
Gone astray
Misplaced the keys to all my churches
Seems I've chased all my angels away
So I bleed
Gimme speed
While I'm running back to you
And I'll be nothing but true true
Me you choose
See I was hopin' I could walk on your water with you
Forgiveness
Please send some down for me
Where is the forgiveness that you promised me
Am I too late
And I've learned to be still when the beast within me moves
And I'll be nothing but true
The lyrics to Macy Gray’s song Forgiveness is about the need for forgiveness and redemption. It seems like the singer has realized the error of their ways and the faults they possess. They long for forgiveness as they are unable to find it for themselves. They reference the sweetness of honey likening it to the forgiveness they’re searching for, and implore their loved one to provide it for them. The singer's loved one is absent, which makes it hard for them to be touched and healed by them. The singer asks for the forgiveness that was promised to them, indicating that someone made a promise they didn't keep. They admit to chasing their angels away and being lost, missing the keys to all their churches. It seems as though the singer is trying to turn to faith and his loved one to be saved from themselves. They are ready to be washed clean in any way possible.
The lyrics also talk about the singer's desire to be pleasing and true, wanting to be nothing but their best self for their loved one. The lines “Me you choose / See I was hopin' I could walk on your water with you” shows the desire to be chosen and the hope to be saved. The singer seems to promise that they will be nothing but true if they are saved and forgiven. They request to be given the chance for redemption and promise to be still when the beast inside of them moves.
Line by Line Meaning
We need the honey like the bees
Just as bees need honey, we all need love and affection from other people.
Gimme sound
Give me something to hear, to make me feel alive and connected.
Need to be touched by you but you're not around
I crave your touch, your presence, your love, but you're not here for me.
Forgiveness
I need you to forgive me for my mistakes, my shortcomings, my flaws.
Please save some for me
Don't forget to forgive me too, even though I may not deserve it.
Wash me down
Cleanse me of my sins, my guilt, my shame, and make me feel pure and innocent again.
Till I'm new
Transform me into a better person, a happier person, a more loving person.
Till I'm pleasing you
I want to make you happy, satisfied, fulfilled, and proud of me.
Till I am nothing but true
I want to be sincere, honest, faithful, and genuine with you, and with myself.
Please save a little for me
Remember to have mercy, compassion, and kindness towards me, even when I mess up.
Where is the forgiveness that you promised me
I believed you would forgive me, but now I can't find any signs of that happening.
Am I too late
Have I missed my chance, my opportunity, my hope for redemption?
Gone astray
I've lost my way, my path, my purpose, and I don't know how to find my bearings again.
Misplaced the keys to all my churches
I've lost access to all the places where I used to find solace, comfort, and guidance.
Seems I've chased all my angels away
All the people who used to protect, help, and support me have left me alone and vulnerable.
So I bleed
I hurt, I suffer, I have wounds that won't heal easily, and I need your healing touch.
Gimme speed
Help me move on, adapt, change, and evolve, even if it's painful or challenging.
While I'm running back to you
I'm trying to get closer to you, to reconnect, to reconcile, to be with you again.
And I'll be nothing but true true
I swear to be honest, loyal, devoted, and humble, if you give me another chance.
Me you choose
You have a choice to forgive me, to accept me, to love me, or to reject me, to ignore me, to leave me.
See I was hopin' I could walk on your water with you
I thought I could follow your example, your faith, your wisdom, and stand next to you as your equal.
Please send some down for me
I'm asking you to show me some forgiveness, some compassion, some empathy, and heal my pain.
And I've learned to be still when the beast within me moves
I've learned to control my anger, my fear, my selfishness, and to be calm, patient, and selfless.
And I'll be nothing but true
I'll be honest, sincere, and loyal to you, even when it's hard, painful, or inconvenient.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DARRYL ALLEN SWANN, HOYT AXTON, MACY GRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
on I Try
Redemption Song - Macy Gray - Lyrics
Old pirates, yes, they rob I
Sold out to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit
But my hand was made strong
By the hand of the Almighty
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly
Won't you help me sing
These songs of freedom?
It’s all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
Won't you help me sing
These songs of freedom?
It’s all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
It’s all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
It’s all I ever have
Redemption songs