Philly singer-songwriter Emily Medina narrates personal conflict on jangly and emotive single “Can You Forgive Me”

Doing what’s best for yourself isn’t always easy, especially when decisions may compromise relationships with others in your life. Philly singer-songwriter Emily Medina lends her voice to this narrative on her latest single “Can You Forgive Me.”

Over e-mail, Medina spoke to the message of coming to a crossroads of doing what is best for her and for others in her life as well, jokingly noting that, contrary to what some may think upon listening, it isn’t about a romantic relationship:

“This song is interesting to me because it really sounds like it’s about a romantic relationship gone south, but I actually didn’t base it on anything romantic at all! My writing tends to be like that. My poor husband jokes that anyone who hears my songs would think he’s a terrible spouse! I actually wrote ‘Can You Forgive Me’ about someone I worked with. This person had stuck their neck out for me in a lot of ways, and ultimately in trying to do what was best for myself, I felt that I betrayed them. I remember sitting on my bed with an acoustic guitar, feeling like a horrible human, and the first half of this song just sort of happened. Fortunately, we did smooth things over, but ‘Can You Forgive Me’ remains to capture how I felt up to that point.”

Produced by Yanni Papadopoulos of Philly’s School of Rock (and of prog-metal faves Stinking Lizaveta), “Can You Forgive Me” is a pop-rock track that showcases Medina’s impressive vocals over jazzy arrangements and a glimmery guitar presence, taking a ballad-like form. The song’s message is emphasized come the chorus of “Can you forgive me?” with Medina’s raw vocals accompanied by backing harmonies that heighten the emotions in her clear voice. 

Listen to “Can You Forgive Me” below.