I forgive you

"I forgive you"
General information
Artist	Halsey
Release Date	N/A (Unreleased)
Recorded	2020-2021
Genre	Experimental Pop, Experimental Folk, Alternative
Length	4:28
Composer(s)	Ashley Frangipane, John Cunningham, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Producer(s)	Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross

"I forgive you" (styled as "I forgive you.") is an unreleased song by Halsey. The song was meant to be for If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power (album) before it was ultimately scrapped; the song was leaked between August and September 2023. It has never been officially released or performed.

Background

The song's existence goes back to November 10, 2021, where Halsey responded to a fan's question regarding outtakes:

"One actually didn’t make it. It was called “I forgive you.” And I was still crying on the 100th listen so I decided to keep it for myself for now. "

—Halsey

The song was ultimately leaked about two years later, it is unknown the exact date, but it is speculated between August and September 2023. The reason for the song to be scrapped from the album is the emotion that it carries, as Halsey stated it is very personal to her to the point they cried every single time they listened to the song. The song is alluding to Ashley's family, in particular her parents. It talks about how family trauma can be dragged for years and years even in adulthood. Halsey stated in a Call Her Daddy podcast that they had written a song about their father and their relationship for every single album, but before release had been too scared to release it. In 2024, Halsey's fifth studio album included the song "Hurt Feelings", the first song they decided to finally release.

Cross-references

• "She still has both your wedding rings" could be a reference to "Wrap me in a wedding ring, you know I swear I'd give you anything" in Ya'aburnee.
• "This town ain't big enough for the both of us" could be a reference to "the loneliest girl in town" setting in The Tradition.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Where do I begin?
I'm braver when I'm far away and speaking on a whim
You told me that you'd kill him if he touch me once again
But you're as bad as him
For every finger that he lifted I have memories you twisted, and recitals that you missed
Broken knees you never kissed
And I told my therapist
She said there's still a little girl in me you're holding by the wrist
And she and I can't coexist
Or I'll be spending an eternity with lots of narcissists

[Chorus]
So this town ain't big enough for both of us
And I don't have the strength to take control of us
I bite my tongue so hard I start to swallow it
And I forgive you, but I still remember all of it

[Verse 2]
I wonder if you'd like me if things were different
If I wasn't who I am and insignificant
I only wish you could have left her out of it
She's never done a thing without a doubt of it
And she needs me more than anything
She still has both your wedding rings
I love you both, but once in a while
I'd love the chance to be the only child
'Cause everyone needs something all the time

[Chorus]
This town ain't big enough for both of us
And I don't have the strength to take control of us
I bite my tongue so hard I start to swallow it
And I forgive you, but I still remember all of it

[Bridge]
If you ask me what this song's about, I'll lie
'Cause I don't have the strength to not deny
And I still want you to love me deep inside
And I still need your approval, though I try

[Chorus]
This town ain't big enough for both of us
And I don't have the strength to take control of us
I bite my tongue so hard I start to swallow it
And I forgive you, but I still remember all of it
I still remember all of it