Melissa Etheridge - Please Forgive Me (Live)
"Please Forgive Me" is a deeply emotional ballad by American rock singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, featured on her seventh studio album, Skin, which was released by Island Records on July 10, 2001. The album explores the pain, confusion, grief, and recovery Etheridge went through following her split from Julie Cypher, her companion of 12 years. Written and produced by Etheridge herself, the song runs 4 minutes and 43 seconds and showcases her raw vulnerability during one of the most challenging periods of her life.
The song portrays longing for someone's attention and affection after a long time of feeling nothing, expressing a sense of vulnerability and desire to be noticed and loved by someone The song also sheds light on the confusion that comes with attraction towards someone you barely know and struggling to find the right words to express the feelings without sounding too desperate. The central metaphor captured in the chorus line "It's an old fire, This familiar desire, But my skin is painfully new" reflects the tension between past romantic experiences and the hesitant reawakening of feelings after emotional devastation.
“Please Forgive Me" sweetly reintroduces Etheridge to the familiar desire of romance and stands as one of the more tender moments on the Skin album. During the dark days of the singer's split from Julie Cypher, Melissa Etheridge retreated to her home studio to pen songs lit from within with her searing pain and confusion, resulting in arguably Etheridge's finest work. The song represents a crucial stage in the emotional journey of the album, capturing the tentative steps toward opening one's heart again after profound loss.
Melissa Etheridge Please Forgive Me (Live) Lyrics
It's been so long since I've touched
So long since I wanted
Then you made me laugh
And my heart opened
I want you to find me charming and wise
I just want you to find me
Somewhere here inside
I barely know you
We've been sort of friends
So what if I called you and called you again
What would I tell you
Where would I begin
Please forgive me
If I don't know what to do
It's an old fire
This familiar desire
But my skin is painfully new
There's a light in my window
It shines all night long
In the morning my coffee
Is sweet but it's strong
I carefully reach out from behind these walls
I'll take a deep breath and give you a call
Hello how are you
Not much at all
Lost in this hole
That has ripped through my soul
I unlock this secret inside
What should I think
I've had too much to drink
As my mind and my body collide