Willing to Forgive

"Willing to Forgive"
Single by Aretha Franklin
from the album Greatest Hits: 1980–1994
B-side"Honey"
ReleasedMay 1994
GenreR&B[1]
Length4:14
LabelArista
Songwriters
Producers
  • Babyface
  • Simmons
Aretha Franklin singles chronology
"A Deeper Love"
(1994)		 "Willing to Forgive"
(1994)		 "A Rose Is Still a Rose"
(1998)
Music video
"Willing to Forgive" on YouTube

"Willing to Forgive" is a song by American singer-songwriter Aretha Franklin from her seventh compilation album, Greatest Hits: 1980–1994 (1994). The song was released as the album's second single in May 1994, by Arista Records. Written and produced by Babyface and Daryl Simmons, it became a hit in the United States, reaching numbers 26 and 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, and number five on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It also charted in the UK, reaching number 17 on the UK Singles Chart. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Willing to Forgive" peaked at number 49 in July 1994. The accompanying music video was directed by Jim Shea.[2]

Critical reception

Jose F. Promis from AllMusic deemed the song an "assembly-line ballad".[3] Billboard magazine complimented it as "superb" and "infectious".[4] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented, "Close to beginning her fourth decade as the reigning Queen Of Soul, it's a special song like this one, penned by Babyface and Daryl Simmons, that really allows Aretha to utilize her amazing vocal range. Her finest effort in many a moon should put her back on Top 40 in a big way."[5] Another Gavin Report reviewers, Bill Speed and John Martinucci concluded with that the singer "presents 'Willing to Forgive' tenderly but with the in-your-face honesty that has become her soulful trademark."[6]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Whereas most contemporary dance singers give everything at the wrong time, Aretha wonderfully restrains herself on this entrancing ballad. It's all about dosing your vocal power."[7] Alan Jones from Music Week gave it a score of four out of five, stating, "A powerful R&B ballad draws a scorching performance from Aretha, whose commitment and attack do her credit."[1] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update named it a "pleasant enough 76bpm radio ballad" in his weekly dance column.[8]

Charts

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States May 1994
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Arista
United Kingdom June 13, 1994 [26]

References

  1. 1 2 Jones, Alan (June 4, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 12. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Jim Shea Photography Videos". jimsheaphotography.com. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  3. ↑ Promis, Jose F. "Aretha Franklin – Greatest Hits: 1980-1994". AllMusic. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. March 26, 1994. p. N54. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  5. ↑ Sholin, Dave (May 27, 1994). "Gavin Picks: Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 54. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  6. ↑ Speed, Bill; Martinucci, John (April 15, 1994). "Gavin Urban — New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  7. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 24. June 11, 1994. p. 9. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  8. ↑ Hamilton, James (June 18, 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 28. July 9, 1994. p. 17. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  10. ↑ "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 29. July 16, 1994. p. 29. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 26/6/1994 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 26/6/1994 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  13. ↑ "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. July 9, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Hot Dance Music: Maxi-Singles Sales" (PDF). Billboard. June 4, 1994. p. 52. Retrieved December 31, 2025. See LW column.
  19. ↑ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles". August 6, 1994. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  21. ↑ "1994 – Singles" (PDF). Hit Music. January 7, 1995. p. 31. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Airplay Top 50 of 1994" (PDF). Music Week. January 14, 1995. p. 12. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  23. ↑ "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Single Sales". Billboard. December 24, 1994. p. YE-30. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1994". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Cash Box Year-End Awards — Top 50 Urban Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. December 31, 1994. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Single Releases". Music Week. June 11, 1994. p. 25.
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