Ready for a fresh start? We’ve got a collection of songs about new beginnings you can use as the soundtrack for the latest chapter in your life story.
Change is the only constant in this world, so you are sure to have your fair share of transitions in life.
These transitions could be related to just about anything.
They could reflect a desire to grow as a person, or involve moving on to a new chapter in your career. Or they could involve an unexpected challenge.
Embracing the opportunity to start over is important for your overall well-being. It is the secret to a happy life, allowing you to move forward through every transition with resilience, courage, and adaptability.
The songs featured today inspire you to let go of the past, learn the lessons from your experiences, and look forward to what the new day brings.
1. Start Again, OneRepublic
“I know that I messed it up, time and time again. I just wanna roll my sleeves up and start again.”
This song is about recognizing the mistakes one made in the past. It’s about being willing to make amends, correct mistakes, and continuing to work to make things better when given a second chance.
2. Fresh Start Fever, You Me At Six
“And it's a fresh start fever. Who wouldn't want to be here? Welcome to the future. Dream a little bigger.”
This song is an example of how being dissatisfied with their current state of affairs can often make people long for a fresh start.
It’s also about consciously deciding to move forward to a new chapter in one’s life, away from old toxic habits and relationships.
3. New Day, Alicia Keys
“Party people say, party people say, ‘Aye! It's a new day, it's a new day.’ While it's gettin' ready, everybody ready, yeah, for a new day, for a new day. Celebrate and say ‘Aye, aye, aye, aye aye…’”
A new day brings new opportunities to achieve great things. It is a clean slate, and you can decide how to maximize your potential within that period of time.
This song is a call to celebrate new beginnings. It encourages you to trust your intuition to lead you to the right opportunities for growth and success.
4. To Begin Again, Ingrid Michaelson and ZAYN
“I don't know how. I don't know why. But I know that I will try to begin again, to begin again, to begin to live and love and breathe again.”
This song carries a message of hope. It highlights the resilience of humanity amidst challenging times. It is about vowing to live life to the fullest after being given a reprieve.
5. Spark, Ed Sheeran
“We'll build a fire and torch our old life and hope the spark survives. Use words as kindling, light up the night sky. Let the memories take flight and hope the spark survives. Yeah, we hope the spark survives.”
This song was inspired by personal challenges that Ed Sheeran and his wife went through a few years back. It encourages listeners to move on from trauma.
This song is ideal if you’re looking for a track that empowers you to let go of the baggage of the past and walk forward unencumbered.
6. Purify, Metallica
“Purify, can't you help me? Purify, won't you help me? Purify, you and I.”
This song is a cry for help. It is about the desire to be cleansed of one’s past. The narrator wishes to start again, with a clean slate.
7. New Skin, Incubus
“Dead skin will atrophy itself to start again.”
Incubus wrote this song as a commentary on the current state of the world at large. They compare the chaos around us to a scab that is unsightly when it’s still in its healing state.
However, as the scab falls away, smooth new skin is revealed. The band hopes for a brand-new start in society in the near future.
8. Everyday, Bon Jovi
“I've had enough of crying, bleeding, sweating, dying. Hear me when I say, going to live my life every day. I'm going to touch the sky. And I spread these wings and fly. I am not here to play. I'm going to live my life every day.”
This song was written after the events of 9/11. It is about giving yourself the chance to experience life to the fullest rather than being stuck in old habits and relationships that pull you down.
9. Day One, Matthew West
“It's day one of the rest of my life. It's day one of the best of my life. I'm marching on to the beat of a brand new drum. Yeah, here I come. The future has begun. Day one.”
Here’s a song about giving yourself the gift of a brand-new start. If you had this opportunity, what would you do first?
10. Brokenhearted, Brandy ft. Wanya Morris
“Lonely, brokenhearted. Life's not over. I can start again.”
People sometimes experience terrible breakups that feel like the end of the world. This song is about recognizing that a broken heart doesn’t mean your life is over.
It’s realizing that there are still a lot of things to look forward to after a painful interlude.
11. Starting Over Again, Natalie Cole
“And now we're starting over again. It's not the easiest thing to do.”
Whether you’re starting over in your personal life or in your relationship, this song confirms something you’ve probably suspected all along: New beginnings can be hard!
12. Travelin’ Light, Dierks Bentley ft. Brandi Carlisle
“I'm traveling light. I'm laying it down. All those demons I know I keep dragging ‘round. I'm cutting the ties. I'm dropping the weight. With all my hurt and my regrets and my mistakes. I'm tired of living, oh, unforgiven. So I'm traveling light.”
The beauty of starting over is that you get to discard everything that no longer works for you.
Here’s a song about the relief of moving on without the baggage of the past dragging you down.
13. Brand New Start, Paul Weller
“I'm gonna clear out my head. I'm gonna get myself straight. I know it's never too late to make a brand new start.”
This song is about someone who has made bad decisions in the past. This time, they’re determined to make things right with the chance they’ve been given.
It is a song filled with hope that you can make a brand new start and make something good out of it, after having fallen a number of times.
14. Feet Don’t Fail Me Now, Foxes
“Hey, hey. Second chances don't come easy like they did the first time. All the neighbors knew it was done before you and I.”
In this song, the narrator finally sees how toxic her relationship is. She walks away from this situation, despite her fears of loneliness.
The song is about starting again as a single person after having been in a relationship for a long time. It’s an empowering song for those who are afraid of letting go of a toxic relationship.
If you’re in this situation and want out, here are some safe steps to get out of a toxic relationship.
15. Starting Over, Chris Stapleton
“And I can be your lucky penny. You can be my four-leaf clover. Starting over.”
Here’s a song about being with the one you love, with a bright future on the horizon. The narrator acknowledges that starting over isn’t a painless process.
16. Start of Something Good, Daughtry
“I know that it's gonna take some time. I've got to admit that the thought has crossed my mind. This might end up like it should. And I'm gonna say what I need to say. And hope to God that it don't scare you away. Don't wanna be misunderstood. But I'm starting to believe that this could be the start of something good.”
This song is about taking a risk and allowing a new chapter of one’s life to unfold. In it, a man cautiously opens up his life to the possibility of a new love.
Many people who have had their hearts broken are hesitant to be in relationships again. However, we need to take the risk and give love another chance. It’s the best way to become fully alive and grow.
17. Starting Over Again, Reba McEntire
“Starting over again. Where do you begin? When your dreams are all shattered and the kids are all grown? And the whole world cries.”
Here’s a sad story of a couple’s separation and the breakdown of their marriage. They were together for a long time and the separation is difficult for them, but nothing can bring them back together. Sometimes, we just need to realize this and move on.
18. New Beginning, Tracy Chapman
“The whole world's broke and it ain't worth fixing. It's time to start all over, make a new beginning.”
New beginnings are not only limited to relationships. In this song, Tracy Chapman emphasizes that a new beginning is necessary if the world is to change for the better.
This song encourages listeners to think outside of the box when considering solutions for saving the world.
19. The Art of Starting Over, Demi Lovato
“New beginnings can be lonely. Thank God, I got me to hold me. Starting over, over.”
In this song, a woman realizes that being in a relationship isn’t the ultimate goal in life. She learns to depend more on herself, although the process can sometimes be lonely.
20. Start All Over, Miley Cyrus
“Out of the fire and into the fire again. You make me want to forget and start all over. Here it comes straight out of my mind or worse. Another chance to get burned and start all over. I'm gonna start all over.”
This song is about living life as a single person after a breakup. The narrator is determined to make the new chapter of her life work, regardless of the challenges she meets along the way.
21. The Middle of Starting Over, Sabrina Carter
“Now I'm ready to fly. I'm in the middle of starting over.”
People make mistakes, and they eventually have to deal with the consequences. In this song, the narrator is aware that she’s made some mistakes in the past. However, instead of blaming others for it, she holds herself accountable for what she’d done. She faces the consequences of her past actions, while finding fun ways to cope with how her life is going.
22. Begin Again, Taylor Swift
“I've been spending the last eight months thinking all love ever does is break and burn, and end. But on a Wednesday in a café, I watched it begin again.”
This song is about someone who was afraid of loving again, but found herself unexpectedly catching feelings for someone after avoiding relationships for a while.
The song is infused with the excitement of witnessing how love blossoms in one’s life after trying to shield yourself from getting hurt.
23. Today My Life Begins, Bruno Mars
“I will break these chains that bind me. Happiness will find me. Leave the past behind me. Today my life begins. A whole new world is waiting. It’s mine for the taking. I know I can make it. Today my life begins.”
If you’re looking for an anthem about embracing a new chapter in your life with excitement and optimism, here’s a great song. Bruno Mars encourages listeners to embrace the possibility of a bright future.
24. Brand New, Ben Rector
“Like a one-way trip on an aeroplane. It's the way that I feel when I'm with you. Brand new.”
Being in a new relationship fills you with hope and excitement. This song is about how a new beginning can come from being in a relationship that uplifts and encourages you to see the world with new eyes.
25. New Day, Danny Gokey
“This is a new day, everything bursting with hope.”
Each new day is packed with potential. Here’s a song about welcoming a new day with new possibilities.
26. Start Over, Imagine Dragons
“Can we start over before it’s over?…”
In this song, a couple has grown apart. The man pleads with his partner for another chance to fix their relationship before everything is lost.
27. Hurricane, Lifehouse
“Turn the page. Turn the corner. Open the cage. Cut the locks. We're starting over. I don't wanna live this way.”
This song is about giving second chances. It is about starting over instead of walking away from chaos.
In the song, the narrator is willing to work together with the other person to achieve something positive, despite the difficulties they face.
28. New Attitude, Patti LaBelle
“I'm feelin' good from my head to my shoes. Know where I'm goin' and I know what to do. I've tidied up my point of view. I got a new attitude.”
A person’s mindset greatly influences how they approach life. In this song, a woman gives herself a brand new start by changing her outlook. She chooses to adopt a positive mindset and invites positive change into her life.
29. Starts With Goodbye, Carrie Underwood
“I guess it's gonna break me down, like fallin' when I'm try to fly. It's sad but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life starts with goodbye.”
A heartbreak can sometimes open up new paths in life. This song is a bittersweet reminder that life still goes on after a breakup.
30. A New Day Has Come, Celine Dion
“Let the rain come down and wash away my tears. Let it fill my soul and drown my fears. Let it shatter the walls for a new sun. A new day has come.”
This song was released after Celine Dion gave birth to her first child. It is about how the birth of a child can drastically change one’s perspective on life.
31. Let It Go (Frozen OST), Idina Menzel
This soundtrack from the animated movie Frozen is a reminder of what wonderful things await you when you let go of old beliefs and habits. It empowers you to embrace your full potential and step into your own personal power.
32. Brand New Day, Sting
“Starting up a brand new day. Turn the clock to zero, boss. The river's wide. We'll swim across. Started up a brand new day.”
Here’s a song that encourages you to embrace what the new day has to offer. Love again, and start rediscovering your happiness.
33. Closing Time, Semisonic
“Closing time. Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
When taken literally, this song is about closing time at bars. However, it has a more profound meaning than that.
It is a metaphor for the cycle of beginnings and endings we experience in life.
34. First Day of My Life, Bright Eyes
“And you said, ‘This is the first day of my life. I'm glad I didn't die before I met you. But now I don't care, I could go anywhere with you and I'd probably be happy.’”
Sometimes, a person comes into your life with the ability to transform it. Because of their influence, you see the world with new eyes. This song is about meeting a special person who holds such power.
35. Follow the Sun, Xavier Rudd
“Breathe, breathe in the air. Set your intentions. Dream with care. Tomorrow is a new day for everyone. Brand new moon, brand new sun.”
This song is about the anticipation of a new day. It reminds listeners to make the most out of the present, embracing opportunities for greatness as they appear throughout the day.
36. Up & Up, Coldplay
“Fixing up a car to drive in it again. When you’re in pain, when you think you’ve had enough. Don’t ever give up. Don't ever give up.”
This song is a reminder to never give up, even when faced with adversity. Instead, believe in the power of love and optimism to help you get through the toughest times.
37. Start Nowhere, Sam Hunt
“Feelin' again 'cause lately I've been spinnin' my wheels out. Gone with the wind. When I need to get back to who I am there ain't but just one road there. Sometimes you gotta start nowhere.”
In this song, a person leaves home to experience what the world has to offer. Eventually, this person returns home with the realization that what he left behind are his true treasures.
Now, he starts over with more appreciation for what he already has.
38. Morning Has Broken, Cat Stevens/Yusuf
“Morning has broken like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing, praise for the morning. Praise for them springing fresh from the world.”
The story of God creating the world in the book of Genesis in the Bible serves as the inspiration for this song. It is a song of appreciation for the beginning of a new day, when everything holds promise.
39. Feeling Good, Nina Simone
“It's a new dawn. It's a new day. It's a new life for me, ooh. And I'm feeling good.”
Here’s another song that expresses happiness and anticipation at the start of a new day. The day is a blank slate. What great things will you accomplish today?
40. Start Today, Gorilla Biscuits
“Next time I'll try. For the first time in my life, it won't pass me by. Procrastinate, it can wait. I put it off. Let's start today. Let's start today.”
This song invites listeners to start doing things now instead of later. The narrator finally has enough motivation to take action and not be tempted to procrastinate.
41. A Brand New Life, Panama Wedding
“Baby, let's start a brand new life. ‘Cause I need a change, I need a change. Baby, let's start a brand new life, yeah. ‘Cause everyday feels just the same.”
In this song, a man gets bored with the fact that things are always the same in his life. He makes drastic changes to feel something new and different.
If you’re considering making a new start, will the changes you make in life be as drastic as in this song?
42. In the Morning, Nina Simone
“In the morning of my life the minutes take so long to drift away. Please be patient with your life. It's only morning and you're still to live your day.”
We all have the same number of hours available to us every day. What do you do with those hours? Here is a reminder to treasure every new day given to you.
43. Unwritten, Natasha Bedingfield
“Staring at the blank page before you, open up the dirty window. Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find.”
This empowering song is about embracing your true self. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder to live each new day to the fullest.
Natasha Bedingfield encourages you to find opportunities for your awesome self to shine.
44. I Was Here, Beyoncé
“I just want them to know that I gave my all, did my best. Brought someone some happiness. Left this world a little better just because I was here.”
This song is about having a positive impact in other people’s lives. It was written with the intention of encouraging those who are starting a new chapter in their lives.
The song can be a source of inspiration for living a life of purpose.
45. Ready to Take a Chance Again, Barry Manilow
“And I'm ready to take a chance again. Ready to put my love on the line with you. Been livin' with nothing to show for it. You get what you get when you go for it. And I'm ready to take a chance again with you.”
Opening your heart to someone new after being heartbroken isn’t easy. But love often blindsides those with the intention of staying single.
This song is about being willing to love again because you’ve found the right person to be with.
46. Better Days, Janet Jackson
“I'm 'bout to change my vibe. Today the sun's gonna shine 'cause I made up my mind that today will be the start of better days.”
This song is about moving forward and leaving the pain of the past behind.
In it, the narrator sings about the hope and optimism that come from embracing the future. The song serves as an anthem for anyone looking to make a fresh start, empowering listeners to focus on the positive changes ahead.
47. Starting Over, Cher
“Starting over again from the second time around, coming back to win. Starting over again, take the first step and let it begin. Starting over, starting over.”
This song is about the courage and determination required to rebuild one's life after a setback. The important thing is to have the strength it takes to begin anew, even though you know that the journey will be difficult.
It's an inspiring reminder that starting over can lead to growth and newfound happiness.
48. After All, Cher and Peter Cetera
“After all the stops and starts we keep comin' back to these two hearts. Two angels who've been rescued from the fall. After all that we've been through it all comes down to me and you. I guess it's meant to be, forever you and me, after all.”
This romantic duet reflects on the enduring nature of love, even after the relationship faces challenges and mistakes.
The song suggests that true love can persevere through difficult times and emerge stronger. It’s about finding new beginnings within a relationship and learning from past experiences.
49. Downtown, Petula Clark
“Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova. You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over. Happy again. The lights are much brighter there. You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares.”
This upbeat and classic tune encourages listeners to find excitement and renewal in the hustle and bustle of city life.
In it, Petula Clark sings about escaping the worries of life by heading downtown, where new experiences and adventures await.
The song is a celebration of new beginnings and the joy of discovering something fresh and exhilarating.
50. Begin, Shallou ft. Wales
“Change your mind 'cause I wasn't thinking right. We can begin at the top. Am I waking you up?”
This is a dreamy track that reflects on the peace and tranquility that come with starting anew.
The song encourages listeners to let go of past burdens and embrace the calm that accompanies a fresh start.
It’s a gentle reminder of the beauty and serenity found in new beginnings.
51. Start Again, Seven Lions ft. Fiora
“As we face down the end, rise and start again.”
This song is about renewal and the possibility of rebuilding after a loss.
The lyrics encourage listeners to find strength in starting over, highlighting the healing process that comes with letting go of the past.
It’s an uplifting anthem for anyone seeking a second chance in life.
52. Watershed, The Indigo Girls
“Up on the watershed, standing at the fork in the road. You can stand there and agonize 'til your agony's your heaviest load. You'll never fly as the crow flies. Get used to a country mile. When you're learning to face the path at your pace. Every choice is worth your while.”
This song is about those pivotal moments in life that lead to significant personal growth and change. The Indigo Girls sing about embracing these watershed moments as opportunities to learn and transform.
This song tells us that, even in the face of uncertainty, we can still make decisions that impact our lives in big and small ways. It is an inspiring reflection on how life’s challenges can lead to new beginnings and deeper self-awareness.
53. Fresh Squeezed, Duncan Fellows
“I just got to know myself a bit better and I’ll never be a rolling stone. Plus, it seems a little far to go.”
This is a feel-good song about finding joy in life’s fresh, new moments.
The lyrics encourage listeners to have a positive outlook and a readiness to embrace change with enthusiasm. It’s a reminder that new beginnings can be fun and full of opportunity.
54. Leaving My Old Life Behind, Franz Ferdinand
“So I decided to leave my old life behind. I don't need it anymore.”
This song is about the exhilaration and freedom that come with shedding an old identity that no longer works in the present moment, and stepping into a new one.
In it, the narrator feels excitement at the prospect of leaving the past behind and embracing the unknown future.
The song encourages us to look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead.
55. We'll Meet Again, Vera Lynn
“We'll meet again. Don't know where, don't know when. But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.”
This is a classic wartime song that tells of the longing people hold in their hearts, hoping they’ll be reunited with their loved ones after a long separation.
It offers solace during difficult times. The song offers a glimmer of hope for new beginnings after the end of the war.
56. I Will Buy You a New Life, Everclear
“I will buy you a garden where your flowers can bloom. I will buy you a new car. Perfect, shiny and new. I will buy you that big house way up in the West Hills. I will buy you a new life. Oh yes, I will.”
This song is about leaving behind an impoverished past and starting fresh in a new, more prosperous environment.
It highlights the desire to create a better life for loved ones. It's an optimistic song about change, hope, and the promise of a brighter future.
57. Second Chance, Shinedown
“Tell my mother, tell my father I've done the best I can to make them realize this is my life. I hope they understand I'm not angry, I'm just saying sometimes goodbye is a second chance.”
This emotional track is about taking the reins of one’s life and embracing one’s true calling or destiny.
It is about breaking free when one has lived most of their life controlled by others.
The lyrics state that “goodbye is a second chance.” This can be interpreted as leaving being an opportunity to rebuild one’s life without other people dictating what should or shouldn’t be done.
58. Fetch the Bolt Cutters, Fiona Apple
“Fetch the bolt cutters. I've been in here too long.”
This song is about breaking free from societal expectations and reclaiming personal freedom. If you need an anthem about starting anew and living life on your own terms, this is the perfect track.
59. Birmingham, Amanda Marshall
“As the rain falls down upon the interstate any doubts she had are all but washed away. One long look back at Birmingham.”
This bittersweet song tells the story of a woman seeking to escape her terrible past and start over in a new city.
It’s a narrative of resilience and the desire for a fresh start in an unfamiliar place, rather than staying in a miserable life.
60. I and Love and You, The Avett Brothers
“Load the car and write the note. Grab your bag and grab your coat. Tell the ones that need to know. We are headed north.”
What pushes someone to leave something familiar, comfortable, and safe? There are a lot of reasons, but in this song, the reason is that the narrator never felt he was loved.
Now, he’s off to a new place, perhaps hoping that he’ll have a better experience wherever he’s headed.
61. Every Day Is a Winding Road, Sheryl Crow
“Every day is a winding road. I get a little bit closer. Every day is a faded sign. I get a little bit closer to feeling fine.”
Life is unpredictable. This song reminds us of the importance of embracing the twists and turns along the way.
62. Breathe Again, Alter Bridge
“So I set out on my own just to breathe again. Touch the light that calls me home just to reach the end where I'm free to breathe again.”
This song is about finding the strength to move on after a period of struggle.
If you need a song about reclaiming your life and breathing freely again, here’s a track to add to your playlist.
63. Going Back to My Roots, Odyssey
“Zippin' up my boots. Goin' back to my roots… To the place of my birth. Back down to earth.”
This disco-infused track is about returning to one’s origins after a period of change.
The narrator sings about the importance of reconnecting with one’s roots as a way to find new beginnings and personal growth.
This song highlights the idea that, sometimes, the best way to move forward is by looking back to where you started.
64. That Was Yesterday, Foreigner
“But that was yesterday. I had the world in my hands. But it's not the end of my world. Just a slight change of plans.”
In an interview with SongFacts, Foreigner’s guitarist Mick Jones talks about this song’s meaning:
“There was a song on the Agent Provocateur album called That Was Yesterday, which is a song about a relationship that failed, which you're still clinging onto. You still feel that there's a chance to resurrect it. Some of these songs require really digging down deep, and sometimes they bring out very painful moments that you've had…”
The relationship may have failed, but it’s an opportunity for new beginnings.
65. Start Over, Abandoned Pools
“Can we start over? It's over.” This track is about the desire to wipe the slate clean and begin again, knowing that a relationship has completely ended. The song is an anthem for anyone looking to break free from the past and create a new future.
Final Thoughts on Songs About New Beginnings
Starting over in life can happen for different reasons. Oftentimes, these transitions are not without pain or struggles.
However, each new beginning offers you a chance to grow and feel fully alive.
Hopefully, this collection of songs about new beginnings can inspire you to embrace those opportunities with optimism. We’ll be here, cheering for you every step of the way.
If you enjoyed this article, you can check out the following song collections for specific topics:
- 61 Powerful Songs That Make You Cry
- 21 Best Songs to Celebrate the Joy of Spring
- 51 Best Songs About Growing Up & Coming of Age
- 25 Best Songs About Dealing with Strong Emotions
- 45 Best Songs About Winning and Achieving Victory in Life
- 45 Best Songs About Traveling and Experiencing the World
