“Ready to Take a Chance Again” is a poignant and introspective ballad from Barry Manilow, released in 1978. The song was featured on the soundtrack of the film “Foul Play” and became a major hit for Manilow, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Musically, the track showcases Manilow’s exceptional talent for crafting emotive, piano-driven ballads. The lush, atmospheric arrangement, with its swelling strings and delicate piano motifs, creates a cinematic, introspective quality that perfectly complements the song’s reflective lyrics.
Manilow’s vocals are the true centerpiece of the track, as he navigates the song’s wide emotional range with his trademark vocal control and expressiveness. His ability to convey a profound sense of vulnerability and longing is particularly striking, as he sings about the trepidation and uncertainty of opening one’s heart to love again.
Lyrically, “Ready to Take a Chance Again” explores the theme of overcoming past heartbreak and summoning the courage to take a leap of faith into a new relationship. The song’s poetic, introspective lyrics resonate with the universal human experience of navigating the complexities of love and the fear of potential rejection or disappointment.
The song’s universal themes of vulnerability, hope, and the desire for connection have made it a beloved and enduring classic in Manilow’s extensive discography. “Ready to Take a Chance Again” has become a staple of adult contemporary and easy listening radio, as well as a frequent inclusion in Manilow’s live performances.
The track’s timeless appeal and Manilow’s emotive, nuanced interpretation have cemented its status as one of his most iconic and beloved ballads. “Ready to Take a Chance Again” stands as a testament to Manilow’s exceptional abilities as a singer-songwriter, crafting deeply personal and relatable works of pop/adult contemporary music that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
