Born in New York City, Rothberg grew up in Scarsdale N.Y., playing piano from the age of 3 and writing songs by the age of 15, joining a high school Rod Stewart covers band. She later travelled through Europe and America, busking to support herself (an activity which would later inform the lyrics to the title song of her debut album, "Between the 1 and the 9"). She majored in illustration at Boston University and Parsons School of Design (both in New York and Paris), devoting her time to writing songs and painting, and joining a New York band called Thrust which she played with through 1993 and 1994. Legend has it that while busking at the 14th Street Station in New York she was spotted by a passing EMI America executive, signing to the label in February 1995. In fact Rothberg had hooked up with a manager and shopped her demo to a number of labels.
A multi-instrumentalist, Rothberg played all the bass and guitar parts on her debut album, "Between the 1 and the 9," which was released on April 2, 1996. The album title is a reference to the subway platform where she used to busk.
The album went on to sell over 250,000 copies in the US and another 200,000 in Europe and Japan. The first single, "Inside", reached number 32 on the Billboard charts. With her band Rothberg toured extensively supporting Chris Isaak, The Wallflowers, Garbage, Midnight Oil and Paul Westerberg; making appearances on high profile TV shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night With David Letterman and The Oprah Winfrey Show. February 1997 saw a foray into Europe opening for The Black Crowes. She was also tapped to play at a few Lilith Fair dates.
All looked rosy for Patti, until EMI Records USA was closed and she found herself without a record deal.
Continuing to play shows Rothberg hooked up with producer Freddie Katz in 2001, recording her sophomore album "Candelabra Cadabra" with him at Long Island's Avalon studios. The album was finally released on CD by indie label Cropduster in 2002.
Patti recently completed her third album, "Double Standards", which was released May 13, 2008. She continues to play shows in New York with her band (Freddie Katz - guitars, backing vox; David Leatherwood - bass, backing vox; JP Patterson - drums; Erin Hill - keyboards, guitar, percussion, backing vox), and also tours occasionally up and down the East Coast.
While working on "Double Standards", Patti also found the time to write and record a three song holiday EP "Snow is My Downfall" (2002) on the indie label CD Baby, and seven songs for the movie, "Anywhere," as yet unreleased. The soundtrack album was released on the indie label Engine Company Records March 27, 2007. Two of Patti's songs have already appeared in movies: "Inside" in "The Misadventures of Margaret" (1998), and a version of "Kung Fu Fighting" in "Beverly Hills Ninja" (1997).
Forgive Me
Patti Rothberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you ever forgive me?
Can you ever forgive me, oh
Can you ever forgive me for what I've done?
I'll do whatever you want me
I'll do whatever you want me to
To get you right back here where you belong
And I held you in my dreams, well
Maybe I was holding on too tight
If I had just one more day
It'd take all of your blues away
Then maybe, you'd be holding me just right
(Chorus)
Well I thought you didn't want me
I thought you didn't need me
Baby I just thought you didn't care
So, when you told me you love me
I let it go right through me
Cuz I thought I'd only show you what was fair [sic]
I know it was cruel and I take it back
And if I held the hands of time I'd turn them back
But now, can you ever forgive me for what I've done to you?
Can you ever forgive me 4 wut I've dun? [sic]
(Chorus)
Well I thought you didn't want me
I thought you didn't need me
Baby I just thought you didn't care
So, when you told me you love me
I let it go right through me
Cuz I thought I'd only show you what was fair [sic]
(Chorus)
Can you ever forgive me?
Can you ever forgive me, oh
Can you ever forgive me for what I've done?
I'll do whatever you want me, baby
Just to get you right back here where you belong
The lyrics of Patti Rothberg's song "Forgive Me" reflect the songwriter's remorse and regret for past actions that caused a rift in a relationship. The chorus repeatedly asks for forgiveness, with Rothberg acknowledging her mistakes and expressing her willingness to make things right. The song's verse then delves into the specific reasons behind the singer's guilt, detailing her fear and insecurity that led her to push her partner away despite her deep feelings for them.
In the first verse, Rothberg describes holding her partner in her thoughts and dreams, but wonders if she was holding on too tight. In the second verse, she explains that she had believed her partner did not feel the same way about her, causing her to distance herself from them. When her partner finally expressed their love for her, she was unable to accept it and disregarded their feelings. The narrative concludes with Rothberg accepting responsibility for her actions and pleading for her partner's forgiveness, promising to do whatever they want to bring them back into her life.
Overall, "Forgive Me" is a heartfelt apology from someone who has come to understand the consequences of their behavior and is reaching out to make amends. The song demonstrates the vulnerability that comes with owning up to one's mistakes and the power of admitting fault in repairing a damaged relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you ever forgive me?
Asking for forgiveness from the person who was wronged because of the singer's actions.
Can you ever forgive me, oh
Repeating the request for forgiveness, showing the singer is truly remorseful.
Can you ever forgive me for what I've done?
Asking for forgiveness specifically for the actions that caused harm.
I'll do whatever you want me
Offering to make amends in any way possible to show how sorry the singer is.
I'll do whatever you want me to
Reiterating the willingness to do anything to make things right.
To get you right back here where you belong
Expressing the singer's desire to have things return to the way they were before the harm was caused.
Well I've held you in my thoughts
Thinking of the person who was wronged even when they are not physically present.
And I held you in my dreams, well
Thinking of the person who was wronged in the singer's dreams.
Maybe I was holding on too tight
Acknowledging that the singer was being possessive and controlling, which caused the harm.
If I had just one more day
Wishing for the opportunity to make things right by having more time with the person who was wronged.
It'd take all of your blues away
Believing that more time spent with the person will help them feel better and happier.
Then maybe, you'd be holding me just right
Believing that the person's affection will return if given more time and space for healing.
Well I thought you didn't want me
Misunderstanding the person's feelings and assuming they did not care for the singer.
I thought you didn't need me
Misunderstanding the person's needs and assuming they did not value the singer's presence.
Baby I just thought you didn't care
Believing that the person did not care for the singer, causing further harm in their actions.
So, when you told me you love me
Realizing the other person did care and the misconception was on the singer's side.
I let it go right through me
Not being able to fully accept the apology because of the lingering hurt and resentment.
Cuz I thought I'd only show you what was fair [sic]
Feeling like it would not be fair to immediately forgive the singer, despite their profuse apologies.
I know it was cruel and I take it back
Admitting that the singer's actions were wrong and unjustifiable.
And if I held the hands of time I'd turn them back
Wishing that the singer could go back and do things differently to avoid causing harm.
Can you ever forgive me for what I've done to you?
Repeating the apology and request for forgiveness towards the person who was wronged.
Can you ever forgive me 4 wut I've dun? [sic]
Using a more casual language to repeat the request for forgiveness, showing the singer's desperation and sincerity.
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.