Unforgiven (D:Ream song) explained

Unforgiven
Cover:	File:D_Ream-Unforgiven_1993.jpg
Caption:	Original 1993 release
Type:	single
Artist:	D:Ream
Album:	D:Ream On Volume 1
Released:	^[1]
Genre:	Dance-pop^[2] house
Length:	3:32
Label:	Magnet FXU
Producer:	D:Ream Tom Frederikse
Prev Title:	U R the Best Thing
Prev Year:	1992
Next Title:	Things Can Only Get Better
Next Year:	1993

"Unforgiven" is a song by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, released in July 1993 by labels Magnet and FXU as the third single from their debut album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). Written by band members Peter Cunnah and Al MacKenzie, it was produced by the group with Tom Frederikse. It peaked at number 29 in the UK and number ten in Portugal.^[3] After the success of the singles "U R the Best Thing" and "Things Can Only Get Better", "Unforgiven" was re-released in 1994. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

Critical reception

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that "a harmonica whirls prominently through this alternative electro pop/dance song, and wails towards the end like the one featured in the Once Upon The West film".^[2] The reviewer also felt that "although it already peaked in the UK, this throbbing, head-bobbing track is infectious and could go far on the Continent."^[4] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it four out of five, calling it "another big, bold song that looks like following both "U R the Best Thing" and "Things Can Only Get Better" into the Top 40. Their own mix has a Balearic flavour with its wailing harmonica."^[5] In an retrospective review, Pop Rescue remarked that "this is quite a downbeat mellow track", complimenting the vocals by Linda Duggan as "big". They also noted "a little harmonica line."^[6] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described it as "sombre humming but bright harmonica washed cantering".^[7]

Track listings

• CD single, Europe (1993)

1. "Unforgiven" (7-inch D•Reamix) – 3:32
2. "Unforgiven" (Sine 7-inch edit) – 4:00
3. "Unforgiven" (12-inch D•Reamix) – 7:20
4. "Unforgiven" (Leftfield Hands mix) – 7:02
5. "Unforgiven" (EMF 7-inch mix) – 4:35
6. "Unforgiven" (Leftfield Hard mix) – 8:58

• CD single, Europe (1994)

1. "Unforgiven" (7-inch D•Reamix) – 3:32
2. "Unforgiven" (Sine 7-inch edit) – 4:00
3. "Unforgiven" (12-inch D•Reamix) – 7:20
4. "Unforgiven" (Sine dub) – 9:07
5. "Unforgiven" (Leftfield Hands mix) – 7:20
6. "Unforgiven" (Leftfield Hard mix) – 8:58

Charts

Chart (1993)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[8]	65
Portugal (AFP)	10
UK Airplay (ERA)^[9]	51
UK Dance (Music Week)^[10]	4
UK Club Chart (Music Week)^[11]	7

Notes and References

1. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 19. 17 July 1993.
2. New Releases: Singles. Music & Media. 10. 32. 7 August 1993. 7. 19 April 2020.
3. Top 10 Sales in Europe. Music & Media. 10. 50. 11 December 1993. 24. 19 April 2020.
4. New Releases: Singles. Music & Media. 10. 36. 4 September 1993. 13. 19 April 2020.
5. Andy . Beevers . Market Preview: Dance . . 17 July 1993 . 8 . 30 March 2021 .
6. Web site: Review: "On Vol. 1" by D:Ream (CD, 1994). Pop Rescue. 11 September 2015. 19 April 2020.
7. James . Hamilton . Djdirectory . Music Week, Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . 24 July 1993 . 2 . 30 March 2021 . James Hamilton (DJ and journalist).
8. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles . . 10 . 33 . 14 August 1993 . 15 . 6 October 2020.
9. Airplay 100. Hit Music. 7 August 1993. 17. 6 May 2024.
10. Top 60 Dance Singles . . 31 July 1993 . 22 . 9 April 2021.
11. The RM Club Chart. Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 24 July 1993. 4. 10 May 2023.