Sometimes we all need a second chance in life. We all make mistakes. New beginnings are the best form of catharsis, whether it’s a chance to start fresh after a bad relationship, begin an exciting new life with that special someone, or are granted an opportunity to make amends for some of our wrongdoings. Many famous artists and musicians have been there, and many songs about starting over have been written over the years.
What matters is that we learn from our past mistakes and make a concerted effort not only to avoid repeating them but also to show gratitude that we have been afforded this chance. The following songs all have one common thread. They are all about having the chance to start a new chapter in the book of life. Here is a great list of songs to help you move forward.
1. Tonight, Tonight by Smashing Pumpkins
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1995 |
| Album | Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness |
Smashing Pumpkins achieved some recognition from their album “Siamese Dream,” but it was their 1995 release “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” that propelled them to International stardom. Much of that was due to the runaway success of the song “Tonight Tonight,” which is a cautionary tale about the price that you might have to pay for a new beginning, as Illustrated by Billy Corgan’s lyrics, “And our lives are forever changed. We will never be the same. The more you change, the less you feel.” Still, some people feel like it’s worth the risk for the chance to start over again.
2. Absolute Beginners by David Bowie
| Genre | Pop, Rock |
| Year Released | 1986 |
| Album | Absolute Beginners Original Soundtrack |
It seems fitting that the Thin White Duke would write a song about new beginnings. Musically speaking, David Bowie has reinvented himself more times than I can count at this point. “Absolute Beginners” was released in 1986 and appeared on the original soundtrack from the movie of the same name. This song is about a couple who is making a new life together. While that may not be the freshest concept to write a song about, what makes it unique is that they decide to start together with no expectations of each other. That’s what a new beginning should be, a fresh start.
3. Beautiful Pain by Eminem (Featuring Sia)
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2013 |
| Album | The Marshall Mathers LP 2 |
Having a chance at a new beginning can make everything feel fresh and wonderful again, but what most people don’t realize is that sometimes you have to endure some pain to get to that fresh start. That’s what Marshall Mathers gives us in this track from his 2013 album “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.” Featuring some brilliant backing vocals from Sia, this song is about burning your past to the ground and starting over again. Sure, it’s probably going to hurt for a long time, but it’s a pain that most of us would accept for a chance to start over.
4. Courageous by Casting Crowns
| Genre | Contemporary Christian |
| Year Released | 2011 |
| Album | Come To the Well |
Pain or trauma don’t always have to be the catalysts that make you want to start over again. There are times when a spiritual awakening can ignite a fire inside of you that makes you want to be a better person. It’s often in these times that you would like to forget about your past and try your hand at a new beginning in life. This is the message that Casting Crowns are trying to convey in their track “Courageous,” which is from their 2011 record “Come To the Well.” It is also about finding the courage to live a better life.
5. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
| Genre | Classic Rock |
| Year Released | 1975 |
| Album | Life Becoming A Landslide (Live) |
There are times when starting over is optional, and there are times when it is mandatory. When Stevie Nicks wrote the song “Landslide,” it was more out of necessity. If you haven’t heard the story by now, this track is a semi-autobiographical account of Steve’s relationship with Lindsey Buckingham. The two were a couple living in Colorado and working on their music together when Buckingham left Nicks. Instead of sulking about her failed relationship, Nicks got her thoughts together and wrote a song about it. Stevie didn’t plan to have to start over again, but when faced with adversity, she thrived.
6. Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
| Genre | Classic Rock |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | Abbey Road |
Is there any band in the history of music that has been as popular throughout the world as The Four Lads from Liverpool? The Beatles have reinvented their sound a handful of times and have always managed to find success no matter what genre you tried to categorize their music loop. Taken from one of their most successful recordings, 1969’s “Abbey Road,” the song “Here1969 Comes the Sun” was one of their biggest hits ever. This simplistic tune is about breaking free from the darkest parts of your life and being able to start over, much like the changing of the seasons.
7. (Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1980 |
| Album | Double Fantasy |
Nobody on this list knows more about starting over than the late, great John Lennon, whether he was reinventing The Beatles’ sound or starting his solo career. Taken from Lennon’s final studio album “Double Fantasy,” this track symbolizes both his breakup with The Beatles and his new life with Yoko Ono. Although “(Just Like) Starting Over” was released ten years after The Beatles dissolved, John Lennon is credited with saying that the song was written long before it was released. So, why did he wait so long to release this song? Who knows? Better late than never, I guess.
8. New Attitude by Patti LaBelle
| Genre | R&B, Pop |
| Year Released | 1984 |
| Album | Beverly Hills Cop Original Soundtrack |
If any of you are old enough to remember the 1980s, there are certain things about that decade that are burned into your memory. The movie “Beverly Hills Cop” is one of those films from the ’80s that is unforgettable, and one of the reasons for this is the soundtrack. As you may have guessed, “New Attitude” was one of the tunes featured in this 1984 film. The song, it’s message is very straightforward. It’s about looking at things from an entirely New Perspective to gain a better outlook on your life. Sometimes a new perspective is all you need.
9. Best Day of My Life by American Authors
| Genre | Alternative |
| Year Released | 2014 |
| Album | Oh, What a Life |
In 2014, the group American authors released a song that was so infectious that you couldn’t go anywhere to escape hearing it. That song was called “Best Day of My Life” and was featured on the album “Oh, What a Life.” As the title would indicate, this track is about the power of having a positive outlook and the effects that it can have on your everyday life. In this track, the narrator decides to harness his optimistic mentality, using it as a chance to look at everything through a fresh pair of eyes. Spoiler Alert: It works for him.
10. A New Day Has Come by Celine Dion
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2002 |
| Album | A New Day Has Come |
Celine Dion’s powerful voice is the perfect vehicle for this beautiful song about starting a new relationship. This song, written by Aldo Nova and Stephan Moccio, was the perfect track for the lead single from the 2002 album “A New Day Has Come” because of its uplifting message about turning heartbreak, pain, and sadness into joy, hope, and love. In a world where it is becoming increasingly easier to be pessimistic, it’s refreshing to see Celine Dion belt out lyrics like “Where it was dark now there’s light. Where there was pain now, there’s joy. Where there was weakness, I found my strength.”
11. It’s a New Day by will.i.am
| Genre | Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2008 |
| Album | It’s a New Day |
As a member of The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am has had his fair share of hit records. However, he has never written or performed a song that touted the benefits of remaining positive quite like the track” It’s a New Day,” which is found on the 2008 album of the same name. This song was written as a way to show respect to Barack Obama and became the unofficial theme song for his presidency. Obama should have run on a platform of hope and change, and this song expressed the optimism of the American people after the election.
12. Starting Over by Chris Stapleton
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2020 |
| Album | Starting Over |
Nobody can write a sad country song that can bring tears to your eyes quite like Chris Stapleton, which is why the title track from his 2020 album “Starting Over” is such a surprise. This is about seizing the opportunity to start over again when life presents you with the chance. When Stapleton sings the lyrics, “But nobody wins, afraid of losing, and the hard roads are the ones worth choosing. Someday we’ll look back and smile and know it was worth every mile,” he’s saying that starting over may not always be the easiest choice to make, but it’s worth the hardship. This is one of my personal favorite songs about starting over.
13. I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash
| Genre | R&B, Pop |
| Year Released | 1972 |
| Album | I Can See Clearly Now |
“I Can See Clearly Now” has got to be one of the most positive and uplifting songs ever recorded. Released in 1972 from the album “I Can See Clearly Now,” this song is about not only being able to see through the rough spots in your life but also getting past them and moving on to a fresh start. I like the analogy that Nash uses when he speaks of a new beginning as the sunshine, and the troubled times you encounter as the rain. This song has always helped me to keep things in perspective when times got rough.
14. Today My Life Begins by Bruno Mars
| Genre | R&B, Soul, Pop |
| Year Released | 2010 |
| Album | Today My Life Begins |
The late 2000s and the early 2010s saw a resurgence in songs that reiterated the power of a positive message, and with songs like Bruno Mars’s “Today My Life Begins” leading the charge, I can understand why songs with a positive message were gaining traction. This song doesn’t start like a typical Bruno Mars song. Instead, he is singing along to the strumming of an acoustic guitar. However, the pace of the song does pick up a little as he breaks into a chorus about breaking free from a hard and painful life and finding positivity with a new start.
15. Brand New Day by Dizzee Rascal
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2003 |
| Album | Boy in da Corner |
Although it’s not very often that the hip hop and rap community write songs about starting over or new beginnings, UK rapper Dizzee Rascal smashes straight through this stereotype with the song “Brand New Day” from his 2003 record “Boy in da Corner.” Make no mistake, though. This track is not about rainbows, sunshine, and everything being sparkling and brand new. Dizzee Rascal lets you know exactly what kind of upbringing he comes from. He’s lost lots of friends along the way but wants things to turn around for him and his friends so they don’t end up as more casualties.
16. Dance Again by Selena Gomez
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2020 |
| Album | Rare |
Selena Gomez knows a thing or two about new beginnings, having gotten her started as an actress before becoming a world-famous pop star. However, she has experienced crossover success in a major way, with her 2020 album “Rare” serving as one example. Directly from that album is the inspiring and touching track “Dance Again,” which is not only about making it through a rough time in your life, but also actively seeking out the chance to start over with something fresh, exciting, and new. Gomez uses dancing as an analogy for being able to enjoy life again.
17. I’m Movin’ On by Rascal Flatts
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2002 |
| Album | Rascal Flatts |
The Academy of Country Music Awards Song of the Year winner is often cited by critics and fans as one of Rascal Flatts’ best. It’s about someone who has grown weary of his hometown, and wants to start over somewhere else, as made-to-order evident by the lyrics, “There comes a time in everyone’s life when all you can see are the years passing by, and I have made up my mind that those days are gone.” The message is so powerful that fans of the band have said that it has helped them to turn their lives around.
18. Brand New by Ben Rector
| Genre | Alternative Pop |
| Year Released | 2015 |
| Album | Brand New |
Some things feel better when they are brand new, which is exactly the sentiment that Ben Rector expresses in the title track from his album “Brand New,” which was released in 2015. The indie pop songwriter opens this track by singing, “I feel like new sunglasses, like a brand new pair of jeans. I feel like taking chances, I feel a lot like seventeen,” which tells us that he has decided to get a new lease on life. He sings this on top of an infectious beat that is sure to make you smile.
19. New Day by Danny Gokey
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2019 |
| Album | Haven’t Seen It Yet |
Back in 2019, American Idol contestant and church choir director Danny Gokey released his breakthrough album “Haven’t Seen It Yet.” The lead track on that album was called “Brand New Day,” which is a poppy tune about the hope and joy that a new beginning can bring that also makes you want to get up and dance. In the song, Gokey keeps telling us that love hasn’t given up on us, and we shouldn’t give up on ourselves either. If you’re having a rough day and things aren’t looking so great, put this song on. It can change your whole perspective.
20. Second Chance by Shinedown
| Genre | Hard Rock |
| Year Released | 2007 |
| Album | The Sound of Madness |
Shinedown knocked it out of the park with their 2007 album “The Sound of Madness,” and songs like “Second Chance” played a major role in the album’s success. Like many other songs on this list, this song revolves around the central theme of starting over or getting a chance for a new beginning in life. However, this song differs because it tells the story of a Young Man who does not want to disappoint his parents but must embark on his journey in life. He must bid his old life goodbye for a chance at a new start.
21. Roses by Kanye West
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | Late Registration |
There are times in life when we are forced to start over, although we may not be ready for a new beginning. Unfortunately, the terminal illness of a loved one will bring things to the surface that we may not be prepared to deal with yet. Sadly, we have to acknowledge that we don’t have any control over these things. People will get sick and move on to the afterlife. Kanye West wrote this song as a way to cope with the death of his grandmother. When this happens, we have no choice but to start over without our loved ones.
22. New Rules by Dua Lipa
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| Album | Dua Lipa |
Dua Lipa is one of my favorite new artists. She has a unique style that is hard to find in pop music. This track from her 2017 record “Dua Lipa” is about a girl who falls in love with a guy, but that love is unrequited. To break free from this guy and get a fresh start, she sets a list of rules that she must follow. Some of these rules include not answering the phone when he calls, kicking him out of their place, and not becoming his friend. Thankfully, they work, and she gets over him.
23. Let It Go by Idina Menzel
| Genre | Pop, Disney |
| Year Released | 2007 |
| Album | Frozen Original Soundtrack |
Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the last several years, you might recognize “Let It Go” as the theme song from the Disney movie “Frozen.” Performed by Idina Menzel, this song is about how pretending to be someone you’re not can make you feel isolated and alone. Just like the title suggests, you eventually have to let go and be the person that you were born to be. This can be scary, as you find yourself starting over and having to regain the trust of your family and friends. If you can’t be yourself, what’s the point in staying the same?
24. First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
| Genre | Indie Poo |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | I’m Wide Awake, Its Morning |
While Bright Eyes may not have an instantly recognizable name on mainstream radio, this indie alternative group certainly has its fair share of followers. Their 2005 record “I’m Wide Awake, Its Morning,” including the track “First Day of My Life,” is a prime example of why they are so beloved. The message behind this song is especially powerful, touching not only on feeling like you have the chance to start over but also on coming to terms with who you are and loving yourself. I would say that’s a message that everybody should hear, no matter where your life takes you.
25. Start Over by Beyoncé
| Genre | R&B, Soul, Pop |
| Year Released | 2011 |
| Album | 4 |
Beyoncé is one of the most successful artists of all time. With over 3,000,000,000 album streams and 41,562,738 monthly listeners, she is the undisputed Queen of R&B with pop music. Her album “4” was one of the top albums of 2011 and includes “Start Over,” which is about a couple who are close to separating but decide to stop fighting and make a fresh start with each other. You can hear how badly she wants this when she sings, “Let’s give love the wings. Let’s start over. Stop fighting about the same old thing.”
26. Brand New Day by Sting
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 1999 |
| Album | Brand New Day |
Although he is primarily known for being the bass player and lead singer for the rock band The Police, Sting has also had quite a few hits of his own, with the track “Brand New Day” from his 1999 album of the same name being one of his most successful songs. I have always found that one of the most intriguing aspects of Sting’s music is his unique and distinctive voice, which is unlike any other in music, and it’s on full display as he sings about being able to find a new beginning in any situation you may find yourself in.
27. Godspeed by Frank Ocean
| Genre | R&B, Soul |
| Year Released | 2019 |
| Album | Blonde |
We all need a little reassurance and comfort now and then, and that’s what Frank Ocean does in his song “Godspeed.” I have always thought this song is something of a double entendre. One interpretation that you can take from this tune is that a parent is cutting the apron strings, so to speak. They are wishing their child well as they venture out into the world to make a life of their own. The second interpretation of this song is that he is talking to a younger version of himself and giving assurance that everything will be okay.
28. Starting Over Again by Reba McEntire
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1995 |
| Album | Starting Over |
There aren’t many country music artists who have seen the success that Reba McEntire has been blessed with throughout her career, nor have they had the longevity that she has. That’s because she has never been afraid to put her heart and soul into her music, like on her 1995 album “Starting Over.” One example of this can be heard in “Starting Over Again,” which is the story of a child whose parents are getting divorced. Throughout the song coming up the child says that they have never seen their parents apart and wonders how they will make it alone.
29. Begin Again by Taylor Swift
| Genre | Country, Pop |
| Year Released | 2012 |
| Album | Red |
With as many breakups and heartaches as Taylor Swift has seen in her young life, there’s no doubt that she knows a thing or two about having to start over. One example of this can be taken from her song “Begin Again” from her highly successful 2012 album “Red.” This song is about a couple who are in a relationship, and they are getting close to the end. Her significant other doesn’t understand or appreciate many of her qualities. However, she has now met someone else and feels like she has a chance for a new start in love.
30. Good Day by Greg Street (Featuring Nappy Roots)
| Genre | Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2010 |
| Album | Sertified Worldwide |
“Good Day” has got to be one of the happiest and most uplifting hip-hop songs I have ever heard. This is one of those tracks that you put on, and can’t help singing along to. Appearing on the 2010 record “Sertified Worldwide,” I have always thought that this song reminded me of a PG-Rated version of Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day” because the song’s primary message is that life is hard, but there are good days as well. Besides the lyrics putting you in a positive mindset, the beat makes you want to bounce, and that’s a good thing.
31. New Morning by Bob Dylan
| Genre | Indie, Folk |
| Year Released | 1970 |
| Album | New Morning |
Bob Dylan has earned the reputation of being one of the most talented lyricists in music. He has the rare talent of being able to paint a picture with his words. The title track from his 1970 album “New Morning” showcases this talent. You can practically see the scenery he is describing in the song, and you feel like you are there with him as he describes how wonderful he feels when he wakes up next to the love of his life. In this song, Dylan makes you feel like every day is a chance for a new beginning.
32. Starts With Goodbye by Carrie Underwood
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | Some Hearts |
Carrie Underwood exploded onto the country music scene in the early 2000s, and she has solidified her spot as one of the genre’s superstars in the last two decades. That’s mostly due to her versatility. There’s nothing that she can’t sing, including heartbreak and starting over again, which is the subject of the song “Starts With Goodbye” from the album “Some Hearts.” The song is about a woman breaking up with a guy. She wants to be able to start her life over again but can’t as long as they are together. Unfortunately, sometimes life is about making tough choices.
33. Good Days by SZA (Featuring Beyoncé)
| Genre | R&B, Pop |
| Year Released | 2020 |
| Album | Good Days |
Some people can see the silver lining in everything, despite what’s going on around them. In the song “Good Days,” the up-and-coming R&B and soul artist SZA sings about the toll that her relationship has taken on her. She is on the verge of losing herself. She knows that she must end it to keep her individuality and her peace of mind. However, instead of pining about lost love, she’s optimistic about making a fresh start in life. When a relationship fails, we usually think the world is ending. Hers is just beginning.
34. We’ve Only Just Begun by The Carpenters
| Genre | Light Rock, Duet |
| Year Released | 1970 |
| Album | Close To You |
With songs like “Close To You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun,” the Carpenters probably have the market cornered on wedding songs. Written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, “We’ve Only Just Begun” is a song about a young couple who is starting their new life as husband and wife. They are optimistic and excited about the prospect of starting over as adults in life. Although this track was originally performed by siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter, it’s been covered several times over the years. However, in my opinion, the original version is the best.
35. Waking Light by Beck
| Genre | Alternative, Indie |
| Year Released | 2014 |
| Album | Morning Phase |
Beck is the indie-folk version of David Bowie. His sound seems to change and evolve with every album he releases. And the alternative World on its proverbial ear in 1994 when he released the song “Loser.” For the sake of time, let’s fast forward two decades to the year 2014, when he released the album “Morning Phase,” which features the song “Waking Light,” which takes on a more somber and reflective tone. This song must have been written at the point in Beck’s life when he was going through a hard time and searching for a new start.
36. Brand New Sun by Jason Lytle
| Genre | Indie, Poo |
| Year Released | 2009 |
| Album | Yours Truly, the Commuter |
Singer-songwriter Jason Lytle must have had a few bad experiences in his life. Whether this was a rough upbringing, a bad relationship, or a combination of both, he has managed to keep an eye on the future, despite what may be presently happening. “Brand New Sun” is a song that can be used for both situations. The two people in this song are either siblings, or they are a couple. Either way, they shouldn’t give up on their dreams as Jason sings, “Damn, how did it get so bad? With all the dreams we had, now you seem so sad.” If you’re looking for songs about new beginnings, then this is definitely one you’ll want to consider adding to your playlist.
37. I Can by Nas
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 2002 |
| Album | God’s Son |
Nasir Jones, better known by his rap moniker Nas, is one of the best emcees on the planet, and the track “I Can” from the album “God’s Son” puts his talents on full display, warning anybody who is heading down the wrong path. Nas uses positivity to let people everywhere know that it is not too late to turn their lives around and start fresh with a new perspective. Two of the examples that he gives are people who are addicted to drugs and young people trying to grow up too fast as examples of things that people can overcome.
38. A Better Man by Clint Black
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1989 |
| Album | Killin’ Time |
In the late 1980s and the early 1990s, there weren’t many country music stars that were bigger than Clint Black. One of his biggest hits was the song “A Better Man” from his 1989 hit album “Killin’ Time.” This track takes a mature look at how separating from someone can make you a better person. Nobody’s at fault; neither are they bitter or angry. The relationship has just run its course, and it’s time for a new start. As Clint says in the song, I’m leaving here a better man for knowing you this way.” That’s one way to look at it.
39. Closing Time by Semisonic
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | 1998 |
| Album | Feeling Strangely Fine |
Closing time is more than something bartenders yell out when the time for the last call at the bar. The band Semisonic uses it as a metaphor for a chance for a fresh start in a relationship with someone new. This is made abundantly clear as lead singer Dan Wilson sings the words, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” If you give me some thought, it’s pretty depressing that you have to be hurt from a relationship ending for a new one to start. Unfortunately, that’s all part of being an adult.
40. New Year’s Day by U2
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1983 |
| Album | War |
New Year’s day is traditionally a day when people decide that they are going to try to get a fresh start, which is the message that the Irish alternative rock band U2 is trying to channel with their song “New Year’s Day.” This track isn’t just about starting over. It’s about getting a chance for a new beginning with someone you love, which I believe is the most important aspect of this song. Starting over on your own is fine, but wouldn’t you much rather get a chance for a fresh start with that special someone in your life?
41. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
| Genre | Indie, Pop, R&B |
| Year Released | 1988 |
| Album | Tracy Chapman |
In 1988, Tracy Chapman put the music world on notice by winning three Grammy awards, including one for her lead single “Fast Car.” In this song, Tracy recounts the unfortunate tale of having an alcoholic father for whom she was forced to quit school and take care of. When she got a job and managed to save a little money, she started looking for someone who could help her to escape and get a fresh start in a different town. She ends the song with the eerie line, “You gotta make a decision. Leave tonight or live and die this way.”
42. What About Now by Daughtry
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | 2006 |
| Album | Daughtry |
There are times when love can make you feel empty, and there are times when it can make you feel like you can take on the world. That’s the point that Chris Daughtry makes in his track ” What About Now” from his 2006 self-titled debut record. Throughout this song, Daughtry finds himself wondering if it’s too late to save his relationship while simultaneously crediting the love of this person for making him become the man he is. He’s asking himself a perplexing question. Do you try to find a new beginning by yourself, or do you try to start over again in the relationship?
43. You Learn by Alanis Morissette
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1995 |
| Album | Jagged Little Pill |
There aren’t many people who can take a challenging spot in their life, turn it around, and use it as a learning opportunity. However, you can bet your last dollar that Alanis Morissette can. In the song “You Learn” from her 1995 smash hit “Jagged Little Pill,” Morissette recommends experiencing the tougher parts of life and using them to grow and become a better person. After all, as the old saying goes, you can’t experience joy without pain. What makes this song different from others that are saying the same message is the quirky style in which Alanis Morissette delivers it.
44. Starting Over by Killswitch Engage
| Genre | Heavy Metal |
| Year Released | 2009 |
| Album | Killswitch Engage |
Killswitch Engage has survived lots of hardships throughout its career, having to replace one of metal’s most respected vocalists. In 2009, the Howard Jones-led incarnation of the band released their self-titled album, featuring the track “Starting Over,” which is about a couple that has grown apart over time. However, instead of letting the relationship fade Into obscurity, Jones asks if they can have a chance to start over and try to build a future together as he pleads in his powerful voice, “Can we start again? We thought love was everlasting. Can we start again? What we had just can’t be wasted.”
45. A Broken Wing by Martina McBride
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1997 |
| Album | Evolution |
Some people give up on their dreams too quickly, while other people never give up hope or stop believing in themselves. Martina McBride’s song “A Broken Wing” is a tragic story about a woman who has been repeatedly verbally abused by her husband, who constantly told her that she would never amount to anything. Instead of continuing to suffer from his abuse, she kept believing in herself. She kept telling herself that she could fly, even if she had broken wings. Eventually, she believed in herself enough to leave her husband and begin a new life.
46. idontwannabeyouanymore by Billie Eilish
| Genre | Alternative Pop |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| Album | Don’t Smile at Me |
Unfortunately, we sometimes find ourselves staying in relationships much longer than we should because we are afraid of starting over without that person in our lives. Those are the times when you need to take a long hard look in the mirror and tell yourself that you will be fine. You can make it without that person. That’s what Billie Eilish does in “idontwannabeyouanymore,” from her 2017 album “Don’t Smile at Me.” The song is about a woman who has grown tired of her significant other’s cruelty, and she’s trying to talk herself into starting over without them.
47. Pack It Up by The Pretenders
| Genre | Classic Rock |
| Year Released | 1981 |
| Album | Pretenders II |
Leave it to Chrissy Hynde to decide that she needs to start over and burn every bridge that she’s ever had to make a point. In typical Pretenders fashion, she decides that she needs to get away, so she decides to use this song as a send-off to everybody. Taken from the album “Pretenders II,” the track “Pack It Up” is about alienating every person in your life when you decide that you have had enough. This song makes a statement about how the band feels about people in the music industry, and it’s a very bold one.
48. Beautiful Day by U2
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 2000 |
| Album | All That You Can’t Leave Behind |
In life, there are times when we must be reminded that there can be Beauty found in anything, no matter how bad your day is going. In the song “Beautiful Day,” U2 points out that no matter how your luck may seem to be going, there are plenty of moments during the day that you can use as a chance to start over. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small nuisance or a major problem. Bono is not going to let anything stop him from seeing the beauty in everyday life. Each moment that passes is a chance for a new beginning.
49. Breed by Nirvana
| Genre | Grunge. Punk |
| Year Released | 1991 |
| Album | Nevermind |
I know exactly what you’re thinking. What in the world is nirvana doing on a list of songs about starting over or making a new beginning? Upon the first listen, the song “Breed” from Nirvana’s smash album “Nevermind” sounds like a punk-grunge hybrid with Kurt Cobain screaming out lyrics that don’t make sense. However, if you listen carefully, this song is actually about a young couple who wants to get away from their everyday lives and start over again. They’re saying that it doesn’t matter if they don’t have much. They’re willing to share whatever they have with each other.
50. Blow Up the Outside World by Soundgarden
| Genre | Grunge, Rock |
| Year Released | 1996 |
| Album | Down On the Upside |
It doesn’t matter what he’s singing about. Chris Cornell certainly knows how to make a statement. This certainly applies to Soundgarden’s song “Blow Up the Outside World,” which appears on their album ”Down On the Upside.” Like a few other songs on this list, this track surprised me once I paid attention to the lyrics.l, although I’ve probably heard this song hundreds of times. While this is a song about being resilient, it’s also about sacrificing everything to start over in a new life. It doesn’t matter what you have to do, as long as you are doing it with the person you love.
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m from Butler, Pennsylvania. I’ve been obsessed with music and audio gear for as long as I can remember. I started this website to help people find professional advice related to a wide range of audio topics. We have a number of Audio Engineers on our team who have been designing and fixing audio gear for decades.