Fresh start: The 20 best songs about new beginnings

Part of life is being faced with adversity, but it’s always important for how people overcome and continue to push forward. That was the sentiment on Johnny Nash’s 1972 single “I Can See Clearly Now.” His stance about putting the bad moments behind him are heard in the opening lines as he sings, “I can see clearly now that rain is gone / I can see all obstacles in my way / Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind / It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.” 

In 2012, Alicia Keys released her fifth album Girl On Fire. Among the five singles on the album, one of the standouts is “New Day.” Produced by Dr. Dre and Swizz Beatz, Keys takes on the stance to celebrate every day and appreciate life. 

Sometimes when one meets another person that they’re attracted to, they are simply at a loss of words of how another person can change their world. That’s the outlook on Taylor Swift’s 2013 single “Everything Has Changed.” On the track, Swift is smitten to know this potential lover a bit more and believes it could be the start of something new. 

In 2020, country singer Chris Stapleton released his fourth album Starting Over which featured the eponymous single. On the track, Stapleton is ready for more liberation in his life, which is why he’s adamant about taking a chance to try something else. As he sings in the first verse, “Well, the road rolls out like a welcome mat / To a better place than the one we're at / And I ain't got no kinda plan / But I've had all of this town I can stand.”

Janet Jackson wrestles with finding happiness and fairness in her life on her 2001 track “Better Days.” She’s aware that she should have a more positive attitude as she looks to persevere. Her feelings are evident on the hook, “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.”

Pop rock band OneRepublic teamed up with Logic on their 2018 track "Start Again," a song that was featured on the soundtrack of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. On the track, they highlight how people know they make past mistakes and even though they can't turn back time, they have the power to start over. 

When people hear The Beatles’ 1969 track “Here Comes the Sun,” it’s the type of song that better days are on the horizon. The band knows that people look to each day as the chance to start over. This type of mindset is heard throughout the song as they sing in the second verse, “Little darling / The smile’s returning to faces / Little darling / It seems like years since it’s been here.” 

In 2012, The Floacist released her sophomore solo album, Floetry Re:Birth, which featured the opening track "Start Again." Teaming up alongside soulful crooner Raheem DeVaughn, the track highlights how people will constantly go through life's ups and downs, but they have the chance to start again and move on. 

Cher is all about taking another chance at love on her 1989 track “Starting Over.” Although people go through different relationships, even if one doesn’t work out, people should continue looking for love until it comes into their lives again. As she sings on the hook, “Starting over again / From the second time around, coming back to win / Starting over again / Take the first step and let it begin.”

In 2008, Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am. released his track “It’s a New Day” in celebration of Barack Obama becoming president of the United States. As he says in the first verse, “ I've been fighting for tomorrow / All my life / Yea I woke up this morning / Feeling brand new / 'Cause the dreams that I've been dreaming have finally come true.”

Celine Dion feels like a brand new person thanks to the birth of her child on her 2002 track “A New Day Has Come.” She reiterates how people assumed she had everything she ever could’ve wanted in life, but she truly felt complete when she became a mother. This feeling is heard on the hook as she sings, “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.”

In 2018, Kanye West and Kid Cudi formed the super duo Kids See Ghosts. On their self-titled collaborative album, one of the standout tracks is “Reborn," in which they reflect on overcoming trials and past mistakes, but they’re ready to make a change. 

In 2017, pop-rock band Imagine Dragons released their third album Evolve. In addition to the singles, one of the standout tracks was “Start Over.” The song finds the band singing about a relationship that didn’t work out, but they hope to make amends by starting over. 

Nas wants to encourage future generations with his 2003 single “I Can.” The rapper has children singing confidently on the hook about growing up to be anything they want. It’s the type of track that can encourage listeners to strive for more and never be too late to follow their dreams. 

Pop singer Natasha Bedingfield knows that the world is an oyster in her 2004 single “Unwritten.” On the track, Bedingfield reflects on how there’s so much to look forward to every day and in the future. The song became a top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2011, Beyoncé released her fourth solo studio album 4. She worked with songwriters Shea Taylor and Ester Dean on one of the standout tracks "Start Over," a track about a relationship that may not be working out but she's willing to give their love another try. As she sings on the hook, "Let's start over / We can't let our good love die / Maybe we can start all over / Give love another life."

In 2014, sister duo Ibeyi released their emotional single “River.” On the track, the duo highlights the effects of being baptized to cleanse people of their old ways and start anew.

On the Carpenters 1970 track “We’ve Only Just Begun,” the duo is setting the scene for a couple feeling like they’re just starting their lives together. As they sing on the first verse, “Before the rising sun, we fly / So many roads to choose / We start out walking and learn to run / And yes, we've just begun.”

In 2016, rapper REASON released his second mixtape The Free Album. On the track “Better Dayz,” he describes a family member who gets caught up in the hustle and crime life. However, REASON realizes their differences in how he hopes for a better day.  

Pharrell Williams and Jay Z have collaborated multiple times throughout their careers. In 2020, they teamed up on their single "Entrepreneur," a track that highlights how some people may face some disadvantages, but they have to continue to take risks and leaps to reach what they want to achieve.