21 Songs About Second Chances

We all love to show forgiveness to our fellow man and give people second chances and this theme is often conveyed in music. Several musicians have touched on the topic of second chances and were going to tell you the top 21 songs about second chances below! 

1. Starting Over – John Lennon 

[Just Like] Starting Over (Ultimate Mix)

First on our list is John Lennon with his song Starting Over, and this song is about a breakup where one person really regrets the relationship ending. When they see each other again after a while, it leaves the person hoping to get a second chance with them and hoping they can start over. The song says how happy they’d be together if they just had one more chance to prove their love.

Recommended: Songs about starting over & new beginnings

2. Over And Over – Nelly Feat. Tim McGraw

Nelly - Over And Over (Official Music Video) ft. Tim McGraw

In 2004 Nelly and Tim McGraw sang a duet called Over and Over for Nelly’s album Suit. Who can sing heartbreak any better than Tim McGraw? This song was a huge success, and Nelly held the number one and two position on the Billboard 200 chart because of it, which hasn’t happened since Guns N’ Roses. 

Over and Over details how crazy it’s making the guy to see his ex with another man and hope he can have a second chance with her. The song reached number one on the Mainstream Top 40 and three on the Billboard Hot 100. 

3. Make You Feel My Love – Adele 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0put0_a–Ng

Next is a cover song from Adele called Make You Feel My Love which Bob Dylan originally performed. Adele released this song on her 2008 album 19, and it’s all about being dumped and the feelings you have of remorse and regret. Interestingly, Adele did not want to have a cover song on her album because she didn’t want people to think she couldn’t write her own music, but it turned out to be a mainstream success and one of her biggest hits. 

4. Hard To Say I’m Sorry – Chicago 

Chicago - Hard To Say I'm Sorry (Official Music Video)

One of the most well-known power ballads ever, we have to include Chicago’s Hard To Say I’m Sorry on our list, which came out in 1982 from the album Chicago 18. This song is remorseful and talks about making mistakes in a relationship. There is hope for a second chance in the song by admitting fault and trying to make it right. Hard To Say I’m Sorry reached number one on the Adult Contemporary chart and Billboard Hot 100. The song was featured in the movie Summer Lovers, among others. 

5. Stay – Lisa Loeb

Lisa Loeb "Stay (I Missed You)" Music Video

Next is Stay, the 1994 hit from Lisa Loeb; this song was featured on the soundtrack to Reality Bites. This is the only song that was a hit for Lisa and is still popular today. In the song, she realizes how much she misses her ex and wants them to come back. Stay was a mainstream success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Mainstream Top 40 charts.

6. Back To December – Taylor Swift 

Taylor Swift - Back To December

Calling all Taylor Swift fans who are probably familiar with her themes of second chances and heartache. She wrote about that in her 2010 hit Back To December from her album Speak Now. The song is about begging someone for a second chance after the relationship ends. She admits all of the things she did wrong in hopes of getting back together to make it right. 

Back To December reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100, number three on the Hot Country Songs chart, and 11 on both the Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 charts. 

7. Just Give Me A Reason – P!nk Feat. Nate Ruess

P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate Ruess

Nate Ruess and P!nk got together for the 2013 song Just Give Me A Reason, and this is one of the best rock-pop duets that you’ll ever hear. While the couple in the song isn’t even broken up yet, there is hope for a second chance and to love again. P!nk had massive success with this song, landing in first place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Adult Contemporary chart, Adult Top 40 chart, and Mainstream Top 40 chart.

8. Back To You – Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez - Back To You

Next up is Back To You by Selena Gomez which was released in 2018 and is all about trying to keep a toxic relationship together. In the song, she is hoping for a second chance with the guy that is so bad for her even though they aren’t talking at the moment. The song reached 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, 14 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and number five on the Adult Top 40. It also went to number four on the Mainstream Top 40 chart.

Recommended: Songs about toxic relationships

9. When I’m Gone – Eminem 

Eminem - When I'm Gone (Official Music Video)

Rapper Eminem released When I’m Gone in 2005 from his album Curtain Call: The Hits, which is almost an autobiographical song. In the song, he dreams that he is on tour while the plane he is supposed to be on crashes. When he wakes up from his dream, he realizes he was given a second chance and wants to spend that time with his family. The song hit number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, seven on the Pop 100 chart, 22 on the Billboard Rap Songs chart, and 13 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. 

10. Come To Me (Peace)- Mary J. Blige 

Mary J. Blige - Come To Me (PEACE)

Hip hop legend Mary J. Blige released Come To Me (Peace) in 2007 from her album Growing Pains, and this song is about asking for another chance after heartbreak and hoping for peace. Her vocals and the powerful lyrics make this song a classic about second chances, and it’s one you’ll play over and over if you’re trying to find peace after a breakup. 

11. The Long And Winding Road – The Beatles 

The Long And Winding Road (Remastered 2009)

Attention all Beatles fans, we’ve included The Long And Winding Road on our list, a song released in 1970 from the Let It Be album. This song is all about hoping for a second chance with his lover, and it’s beautifully sung with Paul McCartney on vocals. McCartney even said that the song comes from a true story, although he wouldn’t tell who the woman in the song is about. It hit number two on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

12. If You Leave Me Now – Chicago

Chicago - If You Leave Me Now (Official Audio)

Up next is the 1976 classic rock song If You Leave Me Now by Chicago, off of the album Chicago X, which is about begging someone not to leave you and give you another chance to prove themselves. This was a monster hit for the band, reaching number one on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. If You Leave Me Now has been in video games such as Grand Theft Auto V and television shows such as South Park, Egg Drop, and Modern Family. You also may have heard the song in the horror flick Shaun Of The Dead.

13. Still In Love With You – Sade 

Sade - Still In Love With You (Audio)

Do you like cover songs or Thin Lizzy? Sade released a cover of Still In Love With You in 2011, which is all about being in love even though the relationship is over and goes into the feelings they still hold for the person. In the song, they are hoping they will get another chance. The song reached number six on the Smooth Jazz Airplay chart and hit number 55 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. 

14. Lips Of An Angel – Hinder 

Hinder - Lips Of An Angel (Official Music Video)

Calling all fans of music-related video games, you may recognize Hinder Lips of An Angel as it appears on Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party, Band Hero, and American Idol Encore. The song Lips of An Angel was released in 2006 from the album Extreme Behavior, and this song is all about still getting with your ex while you’re in a new relationship. He talks about wanting a second chance at the relationship with the ex.

This song was a huge hit for the band, reaching number two on the Mainstream Top 40, number three on the Mainstream Rock chart, number three on the Adult Top 40, and number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

15. Second Chance – Shinedown 

Shinedown - Second Chance (Official Video) [HD]

Next on our list is the popular rock band Shinedown with the 2008 song Second Chance from their The Sound Of Madness album. This song is about packing up all your things and leaving everything you’ve known behind to start over. Unlike a lot of songs on our list, this song is about having a second chance at life to make it better and improve yourself. Second Chance was a huge hit for the band and made it to number one on the Adult Top 40, number three on the Mainstream Top 40 chart, and landed at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

16. Still Loving You – Scorpions 

Scorpions - Still Loving You (Official Video)

The Scorpions are one of the most well-known rock bands, and their 1984 hit Still Loving You from Love At First Sting has to appear on our list. When you hear this song, you can feel how much the guy wants to get back with his ex and how much he still loves her. He hopes for a second chance and is doing everything within his power to try to win her back. The song has appeared in television shows and movies, including Cold Case and Exterminator. It hit number 36 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and landed at 64 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

17. One – Ed Sheeran 

Ed Sheeran - One [Official Music Video]

In 2014 Ed Sheeran released the song One, which is off his album X and it goes into not being over their former lover and how they want to be there to pick up all the pieces when their new relationship falls apart. He wants a second chance with his ex in this song, but his ex seems happy with the person she’s with now. It landed at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is a classic song about wanting another chance. 

18. If I Should Love Again – Barry Manilow 

If I Should Love Again

We have to include the Barry Manilow song If I Should Love Again from his 1981 album of the same name. This song is about how his heart is hopeful for a second chance with his previous partner even though there is no chance of it happening.

19. Just Once – Quincy Jones Feat. James Ingram

James Ingram - Just Once (Live in Korea)

Quincy Jones and James Ingram teamed up for the classic song Just Once, which was released in 1981. The song is all about wanting a second chance with their former partner and just once wanting the chance to make it alright and show the extra effort they should have the first time around. This song was featured in Last American Virgin at the end of the movie and was a hit song that made it to number seven on the Adult Contemporary chart. It also landed at number 11 on the Billboard R&B chart and 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

20. I Hate That I Love You – Rihanna Feat. Ne-yo 

Rihanna - Hate That I Love You ft. Ne-Yo

Next on our list is Rihanna Feat. Neyo, with the 2007 hit song I Hate That I Love You from her album Good Girl Gone Bad. This song is about trying to get another shot with someone they were in a relationship with, even though the person had treated them badly. She talks about giving the relationship a second chance, and she is in a trance when it comes to her ex. This song hit number three on the Mainstream Top 40, 32 on the Adult Top 40, and seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

21. Take A Chance On Me – ABBA 

ABBA - Take A Chance On Me (Official Music Video)

On the 1978 album ABBA: The Album is a classic song, Take a Chance On Me. The song is about hoping someone special takes a chance on them after being rejected. They want a second chance even though they haven’t yet been in a relationship with them, which means they were hurt before and didn’t want to take a chance on love. This song hit number nine on the Adult Contemporary chart and number three on the Billboard Hot 100

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