Songs About Regret and Forgiveness

Resilience
Written By Catharine Hannay

published 1/21/18; updated 7/22/24

by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org

Continuing the popular series of Song Playlists for Teachers, here are a variety of songs about apologizing, reconciliation, and forgiving ourselves and others.

Teachers, please note: With such a multicultural audience teaching young children through adults, I can’t guarantee that all of the songs and videos will be appropriate for your particular context. I’ve included brief descriptions to help you choose, but please preview anything you plan to share with your students.

Angry Anymore, Ani Di Franco
lyrics; audio (song starts at 1:00)

Reflection on how her parents’ conflicts have influenced her, and how she now better understands her own relationship.

Apology Song, The Decemberists
lyrics; audio

Sweet, funny song apologizing to Steven for not taking good care of his bicycle.

Begin Again, Rachel Platten
lyrics; official lyrics video

She feels like everything’s gone horribly wrong and it’s hard to begin again.

Blank Page, Christina Aguilera
lyrics; audio

She’s not sure how to apologize for hurting you, and she wants to start over as a blank page.

Come Back Song, Darius Rucker

lyrics; video

He regrets letting go of their relationship.

Don’t Wanna Fight Anymore, Julie J

lyrics not available; video

Sometimes you just need a break from arguing with someone you love.

Everyone Makes Mistakes, Big Bird
lyrics; video

The classic Sesame Street song: If absolutely everyone else can make mistakes, let’s be a bit gentler on ourselves for our own mistakes.

Forgiven Me, Mary Mary
lyrics; audio

She’s finally learned to forgive herself.

Forgiveness, Matthew West
lyrics; audio; video of live performance interspersed with the true story of a mother who forgave the drunk driver who killed her daughter. (Song begins 2:51; from 7:50 on, the message is specifically for Christians.)

How to Save a Life, The Fray
lyrics; official video

Wondering where he went wrong in unsuccessfully trying to help a friend.

Hurt, Christina Aguilera
lyrics; official video; ASL interpretation by Bradley Laconey

She now realizes she’s hurt herself by hurting you.

If I Could Turn Back Time, Cher

lyrics; video of cover by Liss Jones on The Voice UK

I Forgive You, Rachelle Farrell
lyrics; audio

Less Than Whole, Eric Paslay
lyrics; video of acoustic performance and interview (song starts at 1:27)

He’s been forgiven and he doesn’t want anyone else to feel less than whole.

A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You, The Monkees
lyrics; audio of ska version by The Specials, followed by original version

Willing to admit what happened is a little bit my fault and not entirely your fault.

Nobody's Perfect; Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus)
lyrics; audio

Regret, by Everything, Everything
lyrics; video of live performance

Sad, Maroon 5
lyrics; audio

Regretting losing a relationship because he didn’t say or do what he knows he should have said and done.

Start Somewhere, Toby Mac
lyrics; official lyrics video

Time is a Healer, Eva Cassidy
lyrics; audio

Tranquility, 311

lyrics; audio; video of multigenerational fans

Despite all the mistakes in the past and all the mistakes to come, we can still journey in peace.

We Can Work It Out, Paul Mc Cartney and John Lennon

lyrics; video

What I’ve Done, by Linkin Park
lyrics; cover by Brighter Than 1000 Suns

Forgiving himself and erasing the past to start over with a clean slate.

Wings of Forgiveness, india.arie
lyrics; audio

Letting go of resentment and continuing to love someone.

You’re Not Sorry, Taylor Swift

lyrics; lyric video

She’s tired of listening to excuses and apologies when he doesn’t change his behavior.

Catharine Hannay
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Songs About Kindness, Compassion, and Service