TRACK 2 OF 8
Performed by Marwan Abdelhamid & Toufik Bouhraoua
Written by Abdellah Messous, Blaise Batisse, Marwan Abdelhamid, Mounir Maarouf, Souhayl Guesmi & Toufik Bouhraoua
Produced by Abdellah Messous, Blaise Batisse, Khalil Cherradi & Ratchopper
Guitar by Nazim Bakour & Senpai Katchy
Forgive Me emerges from Saint Levant’s repertoire, marked by its development through a series of creative shifts and collaborations. Initially conceptualized with an open verse for collaboration, the track found its definitive form through an unexpected turn of events, highlighting the fluid nature of music production and the serendipitous moments that shape a song’s final composition.
In the developmental phase, SL sought to collaborate with an artist who’s unique sound and style could complement the song’s narrative and musical composition – envisioned as a key element in broadening the track’s appeal and deepening it’s emotional resonance.
He was ultimately led to TIF who expressed a strong connection to the song upon hearing it, particularly drawn to its post-chorus, “ayammi- maksoura bil hozn.” TIF’s subsequent involvement and contribution to the second verse emerged from this serendipitous encounter, illustrating the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of music production. The inclusion of TIF added a new layer of depth and complexity to the track, enriching its narrative and expanding its thematic scope.
Marwan’s goal to achieve a sound with a “Pharrell bounce,” inspired by the works of Pharrell and Travis Scott, set the tone for the song, aiming for a fusion of funk with a contemporary flair. This vision came to life rapidly, with the chorus and post-chorus materializing in a burst of creativity. Abdel Messouss played a pivotal role in the studio, contributing to the memorable synth/accordion motifs that define much of the song’s character.
Forgive Me navigates themes of longing, passion, and the spectrum of human emotions, from joy to sorrow. These themes are interwoven with the music’s upbeat tempo, creating a contrast that adds depth to the listening experience. This technique, inspired by Belgian artist Stromae, utilizes optimistic musicality to frame and explore more somber topics, providing a complex backdrop against which the song’s narrative unfolds.
Musically, the track is a fusion of genres, incorporating elements from funk to rap, and integrating a guitar solo inspired by Raïna Raï that introduces rock influences. This eclectic mix, combined with the use of Arab drums, grounds the song in its cultural roots while broadening its appeal.
In forging Forgive Me, Saint Levant underscores his unique method of synthesizing music—a method grounded in collaborative ingenuity and a willingness to experiment. This approach distinguishes his work, enabling the fusion of eclectic musical traditions into a singular, compelling narrative. Marwan’s strategy in this creation not only highlights his versatility as an artist but also his skill in orchestrating diverse sounds into a unified, resonant piece. Through Forgive Me, he reveals the depth of his musical exploration, producing a track that is both innovative and deeply rooted in a mosaic of cultural influences.
Moreover, through Forgive Me, SL not only traverses various musical genres but also delves into the interplay between upbeat musical compositions and introspective lyrical themes. The result is a track that is an ode to the dynamic and evolving nature of contemporary music production, embodying the complexities of human emotion and the innovative blending of soundscapes.
i don’t mind mixing my business and pleasure
‘cause me and my woman
make money together
mediterranean nights
need a sweater
i’m determined to death
but i need to do better
‘cause I’m only half of the man I can be
but baby, growth isn’t scary to me
بالعكس
i look for that shit in my sleep
i know i’m good for it
le pays de mon enfance
m’a appris l’humilité
l’amerique ma presque pris ma dignité
mama promis
jai qu’une seul afinité
on est tous là grace a des immigres
شافوا فرصة وحكوا
fuck it we not leaving
my love just tell me im dreaming
they thought I’d be in and out in a season
now i’m on top of the world for a reason
you know that i
don’t wanna be great if I’m all alone
so mama i might
come back to the city that raised me
but mama i lied
‘cause i’d kill a man to see you smile
لهيك
سامحيني
ايامي مكسورة بالحزن
يا بلادي المجروحة فش حب
le cœur est blessé
notre amour risquerais de ne pas passer l’hiver
j’ai pas fais exprès
سامحيني
جزائري بس دمي فلسطيني
je passe mes journées au stud je suis à Paris
mais pas celui des champs élysées
quand la chance avait des airs timide
je l’ai courser jusqu’à l’infini
souvent je disais m’attend pas
y’a des problèmes mais ça ne m’etteint pas
rebeu fougueux ton cœur est pris d’assaut
que je sache je ne t’ai jamais promis l’anneau
et je taf ap pour un minimum
خمسة في عينيهم
vu kle monde oublie les nôtres
on sera nous même l’étoile dans le cielo
you know that i
don’t wanna be great if I’m all alone
so mama i might
come back to the city that raised me
but mama i lied
‘cause i’d kill a man to see you smile
سامحيني
ايامي مكسورة بالحزن
يا بلادي المجروحة فش حب
mélanger les affaires et le plaisir ne me pose pas de problème
i don’t mind mixing my business and pleasure
ماعندي مشكلة إخلط بين الشغل والمتعة
parce que ma femme et moi
‘cause me and my woman
لأن أنا و حبيبتي
faisons de l'argent ensemble
make money together
بنطلع مصاري سو
des nuits mediterrannées
mediterranean nights
ليالي البحر المتوسط
j’ai besoin d’un pull
need a sweater
بدي كنزة
j’suis deter’ à mort
i’m determined to death
أنا عزمان للموت
mais je dois faire mieux
but i need to do better
بس لازم بادر
car je suis la moitié de l'homme que je pourrais être
‘cause I’m only half of the man I can be
لأني نص الرجل اللي عاوز كونه
mais mon amour, l’évolution ne me fait pas peur
but baby, growth isn’t scary to me
بس حبيبتي التطور ما بخوفني
on the contrary
بالعكس
au contraire
je cherche cela dans mes rêves
i look for that shit in my sleep
بدور عليه بنومي
je sais que je peux le faire
i know i’m good for it
عارف إنّي قدها
my motherland
le pays de mon enfance
بلاد طوفلتي
taught me humility
m’a appris l’humilité
علّمتني التواضع
america almost took my dignity
l’amerique ma presque pris ma dignité
أمريكا كانت حتاخدلي كرامتي
mom, i promise
mama promis
بوعدك يا ماما
i only have one affinity
jai qu’une seul afinité
عندي شغلة وحدة بس
we’re all here because of immigrants
on est tous là grace a des immigres
كلنا هون بفضل المهاجرين
ils ont trouvé une opportunité et ont dit
شافوا فرصة وحكوا
they saw a chance and said
peu importe, nous ne partons pas
fuck it we not leaving
لن نرحل
hayati dis-moi juste que je rêve
my love just tell me im dreaming
حياتي، بس قولي لي إنو بحلم
ils pensaient que je serais là et parti en une saison
they thought I’d be in and out in a season
فكروني رح إظهر وإختفي بظرف موسم
maintenant, je suis au sommet du monde pour une raison
now i’m on top of the world for a reason
أنا هلأ على قمة العالم لسبب
tu sais que je
you know that i
بتعرفي انني
ne veux pas être au sommet si je suis tout seul
don’t wanna be great if I’m all alone
ما بدي كون عالقمة لو كنت وحدي
alors maman, je pourrais
so mama i might
عشان هيك يما ممكن
revenir dans la ville qui m'a élevé
come back to the city that raised me
أرجع للمدينة اللي ربتني
mais maman, j'ai menti
but mama i lied
بس ماما أنا كذبت
parce que je tuerais un homme pour te voir sourire
‘cause i’d kill a man to see you smile
عشان بقتل لشوف ابتسامتك
alors
لهيك
so
pardonne-moi
سامحيني
forgive me
mes jours sont mêlés de tristesse
ايامي مكسورة بالحزن
my days are diluted with sorrow
mon pays, tu es blessé, il n'y a pas d'amour
يا بلادي المجروحة فش حب
my wounded country, there is no love