40 Songs About Second Chances in Love, Friendship and Life

What songs talk about getting one more chance?

The best-known are "Second Chance" by Shinedown and "Second Chance" by 38 Special, followed by "The Scientist" by Coldplay, about wanting to go back to the start, and "Back to December" by Taylor Swift. For a country take, "Austin" by Blake Shelton is a story of waiting by the phone for someone to come back. If you want the song to ask the question for you, "Whatever It Takes" by Lifehouse is the one people send most.

Rock songs about second chances

1. "Second Chance", Shinedown: about taking the leap and starting again.
2. "Second Chance", 38 Special: a soft-rock plea for another try.
3. "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)", Cinderella: the power ballad of regret.
4. "Still Loving You", Scorpions: asking for another chance at love.
5. "The Reason", Hoobastank: about wanting to be better for someone.
6. "Whatever It Takes", Lifehouse: a promise to do whatever it takes.
7. "Stay (I Missed You)", Lisa Loeb: an honest conversation about staying.
8. "Again", Lenny Kravitz: hoping to see someone again.
9. "Beautiful Day", U2: a fresh start after hard times.
10. "Brand New Day", Sting: about starting over in love.

Pop songs about trying again

11. "The Scientist", Coldplay: wanting to go back to the start.
12. "Back to December", Taylor Swift: an apology and a hope.
13. "Sorry", Justin Bieber: asking for one more shot.
14. "Try", P!nk: about getting up and trying again.
15. "Nobody's Perfect", Jessie J: owning your mistakes.
16. "One", Ed Sheeran: a quiet song about holding on.
17. "Fix You", Coldplay: a promise to help repair what is broken.
18. "Hold On", Wilson Phillips: about not giving up.
19. "Over and Over", Nelly and Tim McGraw: regret on repeat.
20. "Easy on Me", Adele: asking for understanding.

Country songs about second chances in love

21. "Austin", Blake Shelton: waiting for a call back.
22. "Come a Little Closer", Dierks Bentley: inviting someone back in.
23. "Not a Day Goes By", Lonestar: missing someone every day.
24. "Always on My Mind", Willie Nelson: owning the little things you got wrong.
25. "Bless the Broken Road", Rascal Flatts: for couples who found each other the long way.
26. "Starting Over", Chris Stapleton: two people building a new life together.
27. "Rewind", Rascal Flatts: wishing you could go back.
28. "Remind Me", Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood: rekindling the spark.

R&B songs about second chances

29. "Let Me Love You", Mario: a promise to treat her better.
30. "Ordinary People", John Legend: two people working through their mistakes.
31. "Come Back to Me", Janet Jackson: asking for another try.
32. "Again", Janet Jackson: a reunion after time apart.
33. "Back at One", Brian McKnight: starting from the beginning.

Songs about second chances at life

34. "Live Like You Were Dying", Tim McGraw: a new perspective after hard news.
35. "Here Comes the Sun", The Beatles: light after a long winter.
36. "The Climb", Miley Cyrus: the journey matters.
37. "Rise Up", Andra Day: strength to get back up.
38. "Unwritten", Natasha Bedingfield: the next chapter is yours.
39. "Fight Song", Rachel Platten: for anyone starting over.
40. "I Will Survive", Gloria Gaynor: a fresh start after a breakup.

Songs about second chances with your ex

If you are hoping to get back together, choose songs that admit what went wrong and ask gently: "Back to December", "The Scientist", "Austin", "Whatever It Takes" and "Let Me Love You". Avoid songs that pressure or guilt; the goal is to open a door, not push through it.

Songs about second chances in friendship

Friendships get second chances too. "Bad Friend" by Rina Sawayama, "Hello" by Adele and "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars are good choices for reaching out after a falling-out. For more, see our list of songs about losing a friend.

Songs about getting back together

For couples who found their way back, the happiest second-chance songs are "Bless the Broken Road", "Starting Over", "Remind Me" and "Again" by Janet Jackson. They work well for a vow renewal, an anniversary after a hard year or simply a playlist for the first trip together after making up.

Songs about forgiveness

A second chance usually starts with forgiveness. "The Heart of the Matter" by Don Henley is one of the most honest songs about letting go of anger, and "Forgiveness" by Matthew West tells a true story of forgiving the unforgivable. For faith-based picks, "Amazing Grace" and "Grace" by U2 speak to being forgiven yourself.

How to ask for a second chance with a song

• Pair it with your own words: say what you learned, not just that you miss them.
• Be patient: send it once, then give them time.
• Pick their music: a song they love shows you were listening.
• Follow through: a second chance is earned by what happens next.

A song written for your second chance

Every song above tells someone else's story. A personalized song can tell yours: what you have been through, what you have learned and what you hope for now. It shows effort and sincerity in a way a message rarely can. See our list of apology songs and our apology song gift guide.

How to create a song for a second chance

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, R&B, country, pop and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share what you are sorry for, what you learned and what you hope for.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a private gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Ask for your second chance in a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.