Second Chance

It's a nice quiet evening in Becky's World, so I thought "Second Chance" by 38 Special would be the perfect song for today.  It's another song that I heard on the radio during my recent trip home.  I've only heard this song a handful of times, mostly in the past few years on 80s internet radio.  I had absolutely no idea that this was a 38 Special tune.  It is so different from "Caught Up in You," which is my favorite from the group.  But, alas, "Second Chance" is a truly beautiful song.  It probably could be considered a ballad, although it is so sweet and delicate instrumentally.  When I think of ballads, I think of 80s "rock ballads," which usually have some really intense guitar lines and even more intensity in the vocals.  "Second Chance," however, is simply a musical gem.  I can't get over how controlled the vocals are, and the instrumentals blend and support the vocal line so beautifully.  We do hear a strong guitar line throughout the song, but it is strong in a subtle, controlled, focused way that makes me think about the classical music world.  A huge "bravo" to 38 Special on their performance of this song and their beautiful lyrics as well.  Essentially, if you listen to the lyrics, it is a tender request for a second chance - as we hear so clearly in the chorus.  It's funny - I never really paid much attention to the full lyrics until this very moment.  The lyrics tell the story of a man who, well, made a mistake.  He cheated on his beloved, and now he is asking for forgiveness and a chance to start over.  I think that makes perfect sense.  If there comes a time when he sings about a third or fourth chance, well, uh, I think that would be excessive.  But, this song is so tender and loving-- I do hope the singer was pardoned and granted his second chance.  He'll probably never falter again - because then he would have to write an even more beautiful song, and I'm not sure that would be possible...