The Greatest Songs of Apology and Forgiveness of All Time

We all mess up, make mistakes, and sometimes hurt the ones we love. Not just ordinary people, but some of the greatest musicians of all time as well. Yet they, unlike most of us, possess the unique talent of turning lemons into lemonade and channeling their guilt into timeless songs. Ahead of Yom Kippur, we have ranked the best songs of apology and forgiveness ever written, in case you need a little inspiration when asking for forgiveness from friends, loved ones, and even yourself.

Bryan Adams – "Please Forgive Me" (1993)

In this simple and direct ballad, Adams asks his lover for forgiveness, claiming it is because he "loves her a little too much." Who knows if that is the real reason, but the guy is practically begging her not to leave and insisting that every word he says is the absolute truth, so who are we to argue? Forgive him, whoever you are. Please.

Alanis Morissette – "Sorry 2 Myself" (2002)

A lesser-known track by the Canadian singer, but in our opinion, one of her strongest. As the title suggests, Alanis asks for forgiveness from herself in this chilling piece. Forgiveness for the neglect, the criticism, and the failure to live up to expectations inflicted by the image staring back at her in the mirror. "Who do I owe the first apology to? Nobody was crueler than I was to myself," she confesses. A promising first step in moving from self-flagellation to self-acceptance.

Outkast – "Ms. Jackson" (2000)

Probably the most famous hit by the hip-hop duo. In "Ms. Jackson," André Benjamin apologizes to singer Erykah Badu, with whom he had a relationship in the late nineties and fathered a child out of wedlock—a big no-no. The truth is, the plea for forgiveness is primarily directed at Badu's mother, "Mrs. Gilpard" (you can't be too subtle, right?), as André clarifies, "I didn't mean to make your daughter cry / I apologize a million times over." The guy even promises to be there for the child "on the first day of school and graduation." The good news: André actually kept his promise, maintaining a great relationship with Seven Sirius Benjamin, who is now 28 and a musician himself.

Linkin Park – "Leave Out All the Rest" (2007)

Chester Bennington, the late frontman of Linkin Park who took his life in 2017, once said in an interview with Kerrang! magazine that "Leave Out All the Rest," one of the band's rare ballads, "feels like an apology letter, as if I'm moving on [to the afterlife] and want people to remember the good things about me rather than the bad." Ten years later, Bennington ended his life at 41. An apology ahead of its time?

U2 – "The Sweetest Thing" (1987 / 1998)

Bono wrote this lighthearted song as an apology to his wife, Ali, for forgetting her birthday while the band was recording their masterpiece album The Joshua Tree. The original version appeared as a B-side to the 1987 single "Where the Streets Have No Name," but it was re-recorded as a single to promote a 1998 U2 compilation, complete with an unforgettable music video featuring strippers, an elephant, and Boyzone. All proceeds from the single's sales were donated, at Ali's request, to a charity supporting the children of the Chernobyl disaster.

Cher – "If I Could Turn Back Time" (1989)

"If I could turn back time / If I could find a way / I'd take back those words that hurt you and you'd stay." It is hard to resist such an apology, but the truth is Cher did not write this anthem of regret—that credit belongs to Diane Warren, and Cher initially refused to record it, agreeing only after Warren practically begged her. Regardless, there is no denying it is a brilliant song and one of the legendary singer's greatest hits, helping revive her career in the late 1980s.

Adele – "Hello" (2015)

Adele's mega-hit and the newest track on our list of apology songs. It ostensibly portrays a phone call between the singer and an anonymous former lover whose heart she broke many years ago "when we were young and free." However, in later interviews, Adele claimed it is not necessarily a plea to a romantic ex, but a general apology to friends, family, fans, and even her younger self.

Chicago – "Hard to Say I’m Sorry" (1982)

A classic power ballad from the early 1980s. Peter Cetera, the band's lead singer who also co-wrote the song, captures the perspective of someone who admits that apologizing is hard, but he has no choice because he does not want to lose his love: "After all that we've been through / I will make it up to you / I promise you..."

Nirvana – "All Apologies" (1993)

Did Kurt Cobain realize that "All Apologies" would be the final single Nirvana released before his suicide in 1994? The lyrics are somewhat cryptic, but they undoubtedly come straight from the heart, as Cobain dedicated the song to his wife, Courtney Love, and their daughter, Frances Bean, shortly before the tragedy.

Various Artists – "Always on My Mind"

With so many classic covers across genres, it is no surprise that "Always on My Mind" sits near the top of our apology song ranking. This romantic apology features lines like, "Maybe I didn't treat you quite as good as I should have / Maybe I didn't love you quite as often as I could have." Generations grew up on versions by the Pet Shop Boys, Willie Nelson, and Elvis Presley.

John Lennon – "Jealous Guy" (1971)

"I didn't mean to hurt you / I'm sorry that I made you cry," Lennon apologizes, likely to his wife Yoko Ono, in one of the most exposed and touching apology songs ever written, where the musician also admits his insecurities and self-doubt.

Elton John – "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" (1976)

A heart-wrenching song describing a person trying to save a fading relationship, while deep down knowing it is already over. It seems both sides find it difficult to utter the word "sorry," and frankly, it probably wouldn't help anymore anyway.

Prince – "Purple Rain" (1984)

"I never meant to cause you any sorrow / I never meant to cause you any pain / I only wanted to one time see you laughing / I only want to see you laughing in the purple rain."

The greatest apology song of all time and one of the greatest tracks in history, featuring a legendary guitar solo. Prince blended rock, R&B, and soul into this monumental epic, creating a masterpiece that will forever stand the test of time.