To Forgive

"To Forgive" is a song from The Smashing Pumpkins' third studio album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. It is a slow song written by Billy Corgan about his childhood. It is a reference to the themes of teenage angst and depression. The title may be a play on the idiom "forgive and forget", while the lyrics describe Billy Corgan forgiving himself for past regrets.

Unlike many other songs on the album, "To Forgive" doesn't feature multi-layered guitar production, and features only drums, bass, one live clean electric guitar and an e-bow track by James Iha. Reportedly the guitar was recorded in one live take.

Equipment
In a 2016 interview with Tape-Op, Corgan said he used a Fender Bassman amp on "To Forgive". It occasionally malfunctioned, producing a sound "like a storm coming" which at points can be heard in the recording.