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"Forgiven"
Single by Sanctus Real
from the album Pieces of a Real Heart
Released	October 23, 2009
Genre	Alternative rock, power pop
Length	3:50
Label	Sparrow
Songwriter(s)	Matt Hammit Chris Rohman Mark Graalman Christopher Stevens Peter Prevost Dan Gartley
Producer(s)	Christopher Stevens, Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp
Sanctus Real singles chronology
"Sing" (2008) "Forgiven" (2009) "Lead Me" (2010)
Music video
"Forgiven" on YouTube

"Forgiven" is a song by American Christian rock band Sanctus Real, which was released to radio on October 23, 2009. The song is the first single from the band's fifth studio album Pieces of a Real Heart, which was released in March 2010. The song peaked at No. 4 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, becoming their second Top 10 single from that chart. It stayed on the chart for 40 weeks, becoming their second longest charting song. The song is played in a D major key, and 82 beats per minute.

This song was also featured by the compilation album WOW Hits 2011.

Background

"Forgiven" was released on October 23, 2009, as the first single off their fifth studio album, Pieces of a Real Heart. Sanctus Real's Matt Hammitt explained the meaning of the song: "The working-out of forgiveness is so key to our growth and maturity as followers of Jesus. The very idea that we have been forgiven for so much wrong moves, reforms, transforms and heals us. As we were framing 'Forgiven' around this concept, we realized that this was such a fundamental aim for all of us – to forgive and be forgiven." Sanctus Real lead guitarist Chris Rohman also gave his side of the story to NewReleaseTuesday,"It came out of an experience, as a band, where we just needed forgiveness from each other. We had no idea that when we released it to radio that it would have the effect that it did. We started a spot on our website where people could come and share stories about forgiveness. It was flooded by people opening up the deepest things they've struggled with in their lives - things that have effected them personally and also things that they've held against other people. This song has helped them to forgive. We put out a song that was personal to us, but others were able to deal with their own issues after hearing it. People wrote on the website, saying things like they were abused as a child and now they're able to forgive their father. It's deep! I would never have guessed that people would have that kind of connection with a song! It's pretty wild to read the stories people chose to share and, because there were so many, there's not one that really stands out."

Music video

The music video was for single "Forgiven" was released on March 15, 2010. The music video was directed by Nathan Corona in late March.

Track listing

CD release

1. "Forgiven" – 3:42
2. "Forgiven (Medium Key With Background Vocals)" – 3:40
3. "Forgiven (High Key Without Background Vocals)" – 3:40
4. "Forgiven (Medium Key Without Background Vocals)" – 3:40
5. "Forgiven (Low Key Without Background Vocals)" – 3:36

• Digital download

1. "Forgiven" – 3:36

• Digital download (Acoustic version)

1. "Forgiven" – 3:30

Charts

References

1. "Sanctus Real: Forgiven - Official Lyric Video". YouTube. CCM. October 23, 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
2. "Forgiven on Spotify". Spotify. Spotify. October 23, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
3. "Forgiven - Sanctus Real (Pieces Of A Real Heart)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts. October 23, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
4. "Sanctus Real to release fifth studio album, Pieces Of A Real Heart". Christian Today. February 10, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
5. "Sanctus Real's Fifth Studio Album Released March 9, 2010, Features the Current Radio Hit "Forgiven"". Jesus Freak Hideout (Hoganson Media). October 23, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
6. "Pieces of a Real Heart (Deluxe Edition) by Sanctus Real". July 2, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
7. "Sanctus Real Lead Me Chart History". Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
8. "Key & BPM for Forgiven by Sanctus Real". Tunebat. March 5, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
9. WOW Hits 2011 at EMI CMG Distribution
10. "Forgiven". Retrieved August 20, 2018.
11. Matthews, Kent; Hammitt, Matt (March 25, 2010). "Sanctus Real gives fans a taster of their next album". ChristianToday. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
12. Matthews, Kent; Hammitt, Matt (March 25, 2010). "#94 - "Forgiven" by Sanctus Real". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
13. "Sanctus Real - Forgiven". YouTube. March 15, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
14. Matthews, Kent; Hammitt, Matt (March 25, 2010). "Lives of deep honesty". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
15. "Forgiven (Performance Tracks) - EP". TIDAL. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
16. "Forgiven - Sanctus Real TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
17. "Forgiven (Acoustic Version)". iTunes. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
18. "Sanctus Real's 'Pieces Of A Real Heart', Releases March 9, 2010". BREATHEcast.com. February 8, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
19. "Sanctus Real- Christian AC History". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
20. "Sanctus Real Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
21. "Sanctus Real Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
22. "Christian AC Indicator". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. September 4, 2010. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
23. "Hot Christian Songs - Year-End 2010 - Billboard". Retrieved August 20, 2018.

• 2009 singles
• Sanctus Real songs
• 2009 songs
• Sparrow Records singles
• Songs written by Matt Hammitt
• Songs written by Christopher Stevens (musician)