About the song

There’s a kind of bravery in falling in love again after your heart’s been broken. Barry Manilow’s “Ready to Take a Chance Again” captures that delicate moment — when fear still lingers, but hope starts to whisper a little louder. Released in 1978 and featured in the film Foul Play, this song quickly became one of Manilow’s most beloved classics, blending tenderness, vulnerability, and optimism in that unmistakable Manilow way.

From the very first note, the song feels like a sunrise — soft, golden, and full of quiet promise. The orchestration swells gently, not demanding attention but inviting you in, like an old friend reminding you that it’s okay to feel again. Barry’s voice, warm and sincere, tells the story of someone who’s been hurt before yet still dares to believe that love is worth the risk. “You remind me I live in a shell,” he sings, and suddenly, you’re there — remembering the times you built walls to protect yourself, only to realize they also kept out the light.

What makes “Ready to Take a Chance Again” so timeless isn’t just its melody — it’s the emotional truth beneath it. It’s about rediscovering courage, about realizing that being open to love again is an act of strength, not weakness. There’s something profoundly human about the way Manilow sings this; it’s not a grand performance, it’s a quiet confession.

The late 70s were filled with disco lights and big sounds, but Barry Manilow gave the world something more intimate — a reminder that even in the noise of life, the heart still speaks softly. Listening to “Ready to Take a Chance Again” today feels like breathing in hope after a long storm. It’s gentle, sincere, and utterly timeless — the kind of song that finds you right when you need it most.

Video