At Pointfest 22, lead singer Brent Smith told the audience that the song is about him leaving his native Knoxville, Tennessee, to pursue a career in rock 'n' roll;
"It's important for you to hear this... When I grew up, everyone was ok with being in a bubble. They were cool in their circle. That's fine. But no one should discourage someone if they have a dream, if they want something more [...] This song was difficult for me to write the lyrics to, because it's about my mother and my father, and about the day I said goodbye to them, because I had to go try, and I'm still trying every day, to become a man. So, this song is about that. It's about the moment that you wake up and you decide you want to go for every single dream you ever wanted."
The official music video for the song premiered on January 8, 2009 on MSN Music. It starts with a teenage girl sitting on a bench at night, and lead singer Brent Smith in the background. It shows that she has a job helping a fisherman. She also has a boyfriend. She aspires to be a ballerina, and wants to go to a dance school. She is seen dancing in her garage a few times in the music video. However,her family is somewhat dysfunctional, with her parents shown fighting all the time. She looks out for her younger brother, and often takes care of him. When she asks her mother for permission to go to the school one day, her mother immediately refuses, showing her bills, and shouting at her. The girl thinks about all the things in her life that make her happy, and decides to run away to attend the school. She leaves a note for her parents, and she looks in on her younger brother asleep, before leaving the house. She then goes to the bench where the music video began, bringing the music video to full circle. When her parents read the note, it makes them realize that they didn't make the best choices in raising her, but they have a second chance with the girl's younger brother to get it right.
Lead singer, Brent Smith, is shown singing alone on a hill throughout the video, and the girl is shown practicing her dancing in the garage frequently. At the end of the video, the girl gets on a bus, where Brent Smith and the other members of the band are riding on as well.
"Second Chance" is Shinedown's biggest hit to date, becoming their first song to top both the Mainstream and Modern Rock charts, as well as their first top twenty hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It's their third single to top the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, having spent 10 weeks at #1 beginning December 27, 2008. On the Modern Rock Tracks chart, it is their first #1 single, having spent three non-consecutive weeks at #1 beginning February 14, 2009. As of May, 2009 edition of Billboard, "Second Chance" has reached #15 on the Hot 100, making it the band's first Top-20 hit. It's also their debut single on the Canadian Hot 100 chart, where it peaked at #42. It's also their first single to debut on the Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks chart at #17. On March 29, 2009, Second Chance debuted at #20 on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown, becoming their first video to ever debut on the show, and on May 16, Second Chance hit #1; Brent & Barry, the guests on the show at the time, introduced it themselves.
Second Chance
Shinedown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the way, I made it through the day
I watch the world outside
By the way, I'm leaving out today
I just saw Halley's comet, she waved
Said, "Why you always runnin' in place?"
Even the man in the moon disappeared
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
Please don't cry one tear for me
I'm not afraid of what I have to say
This is my one and only voice
So listen close, it's only for today
I just saw Halley's comet, she waved
Said, "Why you always runnin' in place?"
Even the man in the moon disappeared
Somewhere in the stratosphere
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
Here is my chance
This is my chance
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
Sometimes "Goodbye" is a second chance
Sometimes "Goodbye" is a second chance
The song "Second Chance" by Shinedown is about the singer realizing that he's been running in place and not moving forward in his life. He decides to leave everything behind and start anew in order to pursue his true desires.
The line "My eyes are open wide" suggests that the singer is finally seeing things clearly and has come to this realization. He acknowledges that he has made it through the day and that he's leaving everything behind to start fresh. The sighting of Halley's comet represents the idea of a rare and significant event that comes only once in a lifetime, much like the singer's decision to leave everything behind.
The chorus is the singer's way of telling his parents that he's done all he can to make them see that this is his life and he hopes that they understand. He's not angry, but he's telling them that sometimes saying goodbye can give you a second chance.
Overall, the song is a message about taking control of your life, taking risks to pursue what you want, and not letting anyone hold you back. It's a powerful anthem about embracing change and making the most of your life.
Line by Line Meaning
My eyes are open wide
I am fully awake and aware of what is happening around me
By the way, I made it through the day
I successfully navigated the challenges of the day
I watch the world outside
I observe the world around me
By the way, I'm leaving out today
I am leaving today and moving on to a new chapter in my life
I just saw Halley's comet, she waved
I witnessed a rare and beautiful occurrence in the world and felt a connection with it
Said, "Why you always runnin' in place?"
Halley's comet questioned my stagnancy and lack of progress in life
Even the man in the moon disappeared
Even something as constant and reliable as the moon can change and disappear
Somewhere in the stratosphere
This disappearance happened far away, in a place beyond my reach
Tell my mother, tell my father
I want my parents to know
I've done the best I can
I have tried my hardest
To make them realize this is my life
I want them to understand that I am in control of my own life
I hope they understand
I want them to empathize with my decisions and actions
I'm not angry, I'm just saying
I am not upset, just communicating my thoughts and feelings
Sometimes "Goodbye" is a second chance
Leaving behind the past can be an opportunity for growth and change
Please don't cry one tear for me
I don't want anyone to be sad on my behalf
I'm not afraid of what I have to say
I am confident in my own voice and opinions
This is my one and only voice
I only have one chance to express myself, and I intend to use it
So listen close, it's only for today
I have something important to say, and I need people's attention right now
Here is my chance
This moment is an opportunity for me to make a change
Sometimes "Goodbye" is a second chance
Even though it can be painful, letting go of the past can open up new possibilities
Sometimes "Goodbye" is a second chance
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the message that leaving behind the old can lead to growth and new beginnings
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brent Smith, Dave Bassett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@henrysilvestremarruecos6490
My eyes are open wide
By the way
I made it through the day
I watch the world outside
By the way
I'm leaving out today
I just saw Hayley's comet, she waved
Said "why you always running in place?
Even the man in the moon disappeared
Somewhere in the stratosphere"
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
Please don't cry one tear for me
I'm not afraid
Of what I have to say
This is my one and only voice, so listen close
It's only for today
I just saw Hayley's comet, she waved
Said "why you always running in place?
Even the man in the moon disappeared
Somewhere in the stratosphere"
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
Here's my chance
This is my chance
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
Sometimes goodbye is a second chance
Sometimes goodbye is a second chance
@DriftingDraftsman
I love this song.
Sometimes you need separation to improve your relationships.
Feel this with Family, and Friends turned roommates.
It's such a shame, because there is so much love, somehow corrupted by frustration.
But with that space, you grow an understanding of yourself, and a deeper appreciation of those connections.
❤
@shaymack37
Who else hates the fact that Youtube ruins the end of every video by showing other videos you might like before the current video is even finished? I want to see the end!!!
@headbangingmama8907
I do too! Hate that myself!
@shadowfang269
that's an editing choice,
@BrianBBurns
Yeah
@themisteriousstranger9879
Its even worse since the ending to the video is awesome
@juliehillshafer8259
I COMPLETELY AGREE SINCE THIS VIDEO IS LIKE A MOVIE!
@peytonvlogs2620
My husband passed away on the 6th. His organs were taken for donations 3 days later and the surgeon listened to Shinedown during the procedures because my husband loved them and most especially this song. His funeral is in the morning.
@michaelmoceri6469
So sorry for your loss. My friend's organs were donated. Incredible gift of life, even in death. 💔🙏❤
@jimwood4424
Im sorry.hope god heals ur heart
@rondarawson6236
My heart breaks for you..😔