Sometimes we just need to shake things up a bit and change direction. But we might just need that little bit of encouragement to make the change. It can be a worrying time, wondering if it is the right thing to do.
You might not think that songs about new beginnings can help or mean anything. After all, they are just songs and not real experiences in most cases. But one of the songs on this list was the little nudge I needed to make a huge change in my life. More about that later.
A Difference
Change can make a difference and be positive if it is the right change. But, there is only one person who can decide that – you. You know if you are stuck in a bit of a rut and can see no way out.
New beginnings can mean a range of varying situations. It can be changing jobs, location, or even the country you live in. It can just be about making yourself a better, more caring person.
Whatever new beginning you are considering, it might be mentioned in this list. Let’s take a look at some songs about new starts and beginning again. So, why not kick things off with music’s very own Poet Laureate?
Top 55 Songs About New Beginnings
1 New Morning by Bob Dylan
This is the title track of the New Morning album that Dylan released in 1970. It has a slightly different slant from many Dylan songs. He is not being cynical, critical, or cryptic with his lyrics. He is almost in a celebratory mood and makes references to scenes you might see yourself in the countryside.
Consequently, you could even call it lighthearted. It sounds a bit like the country-style Dylan on John Wesley Harding. Rather than the album that preceded this, which took so much criticism, Self-Portrait.
That album included plenty of Pop songs covers, folk songs, and even instrumentals. He said the Self-Portrait album was “somewhat of a joke” trying to end the “prophet of his generation nonsense,” as he put it.
So, what’s it about?
It is a song about renewal and everything being new around him, including a developing relationship. And, he returns to that familiar nasal-sounding voice. Discarding the over-countrified lilt, he developed on some of his other albums. This is Dylan in a positive mood looking forward to the future.
2 (Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon
John and Yoko had separated for a while. During that time, John started a relationship with his assistant. The separation lasted for about 18 months, and after they were reunited, this and other songs were the results.
In some ways, the song is a return to his early music roots with its 50s-style sound and feel. It even sounds like you might have heard him play it at The Star Club in Hamburg. That’s the sort of song it is. It was taken from the album of the same name.
The song talks of a reborn relationship, and he is looking towards the future with this new beginning with Yoko. “Starting Over” was released on 27th October 1980, the very same day that a demented moron was allowed to buy the gun that shot and killed him a few weeks later.
3 Out On The Weekend by Neil Young
Some albums are momentous. As soon as you hear it, you know it. This track was taken from one such album, Harvest. It was an album that brought us “Heart Of Gold” and “Old Man.”
“Out On The Weekend” was the opening song on the album and nicely sets the scene for what was to come. It has a country feel to it, much different from the guitar-heavy sound of Crazy Horse which was very different. This song and the album it is from put Neil Young firmly on the music map.
The song is an autobiographical statement, painting a picture of him as he chases his dream of becoming a musician. In a way, it is a song about being on the road and lonely and him wishing he could start again and settle down somewhere. “Find a place to call my own and try to fix up – Start a brand new day.”
4 I’ll Follow The Sun by The Beatles
This is one of the lesser-known Beatles songs that is often confused with George Harrison’s later offering “Here Come The Sun,” which we will look at later. It was written by Paul McCartney when he was only about 16 and included in their 1964 album, Beatles for Sale.
It is a simple little song about leaving and starting a new life. Following the sun, or in other words, following your dream. The inclusion in Beatles for Sale might be surprising given how many years previously it had been written.
When asked, McCartney said that they always wanted each track on an album to sound different from the next track. They didn’t want to fall into the “Diana Ross and The Supremes trap,” as he called it. You know, where everything just sounds the same.
5 Brand New Day by Sting
This is the final track on his sixth solo album of the same name, Brand New Day. Released in 1999, it was performed in New York as the new millennium arrived and the clock struck midnight.
This is one of those songs about hope for the future and the optimism of that brand-new day when everything is possible. It tells us to “Turn the clocks to zero.” In other words, start over with a clean slate. There is some very nice harmonica played on the track. It should be good; it’s Stevie Wonder playing it.
6 I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash
This is a song that has two meanings. It is about hope, but it is also about looking forward to a new beginning. “I can see clearly now the 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 sun shiny day.”
It was taken from his album of the same name, I Can See Clearly Now. Nash had spent some time in Jamaica, where he had seen Bob Marley. You can hear the influence of that trip as this song has a heavy reggae influence.
It was recorded in London and released in 1972, and reached #5 in the UK but was #1 in America. That made it the first reggae song to make it to the top spot. It has a song that has endless appeal and has been covered by many artists. One of the most popular songs about new beginnings.
7 Feeling Good by Nina Simone
Some years ago, I was in a discussion with a female singer and some others about how best to perform a song. I happened to say to her, “Listen to Nina Simone and her style.” The singer said, ‘“Who?” Discussion ended.
In case any of you don’t know…
Nina Simone was one of the greats, and not only in the jazz world. She could turn her soulful voice to just about everything. This is a song from a 60s musical that was included in her excellent album, I Put A Spell On You.
It was written by two English composers, Leslie Bricusse and the incredibly talented Antony Newley. The album was released in 1965 and reached #9 in the UK but only made #99 in America.
That may have had something to do with her very outspoken views on the need for equality and Civil Rights in America. She was a very vocal supporter, and at the time, it wasn’t appreciated.
This song is a reflection of that struggle…
The song was taken from the musical written by Bricusse and Newley, The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd from 1964. A musical written about class differences in the UK at the time but set in a Vaudeville style. From that musical came some iconic songs, including “Who Can I Turn To” (sung here by Dionne Warwick).
“Feeling Good” became a song associated with Nina Simone even though it was never released as a single. It was later used on compilation albums and even TV adverts.
The Optimism
Optimism is the thing that comes across from her performance. Optimism for the future and a new life that is waiting for you. “It’s a new dawn – It’s a new day – It’s a new life for me.”
If you want a more modern take on the song, Muse did an excellent cover of it.
8 Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
For George, a song about a new beginning was what this song is all about. The breakup of The Beatles, the personal animosities, the efforts to control others.
You can read all sorts of interpretations and opinions from people who think they know. But, as a dear friend said to me once, “You can’t know unless you were there at the time.” He had been there.
A Special Song
George refers to the atmosphere between certain members of The Beatles as a “long cold lonely winter.” But, after the winter comes the sunshine. Winter was coming to an end; they all knew that. And, for George, it heralded the promise of a new beginning.
The Walk Out
The song was taken from the 1969 album Abbey Road, the last they recorded. It became one of the most streamed Beatles songs ever, as well as a very popular song about a new beginning.
George had just had enough one day in the middle of the recording of the album. He just got up and walked out. The result was this song. It demonstrates how he was just longing for it all to be over and to be able to move on to his new beginning.
It is a song that says I am not going to live in your shadow anymore. Now it is time for me. I suppose we could ask ourselves who wrote the best music after they had split. But don’t mention it was George; we don’t want any tantrums.
9 We’ve Only Just Begun by The Carpenters
At the 1974 Eurovision song contest in Brighton in the UK, Abba turned the music world upside down. But, before them, there were The Carpenters. A clever, talented songwriter and a great female singer. Yeah, you could say there are some similarities.
But Karen Carpenter wasn’t just a great singer…
In some respects, she was the “Pop voice” of the age. A perfect voice, some might say, and who could disagree? Always great to listen to with that effortless silky tone. She was way ahead of her contemporaries.
“We’ve Only Just Begun” wasn’t a Richard Carpenter song. It was written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols and included on their second album, Close To You, released in 1970. It reached #28 in the UK and #2 in America, where it sold over a million copies and helped to establish them as an international act.
“We’ve Only Just Begun” is one of the best songs about new beginnings you are ever going to find. And, whilst the song is good, what about that voice? What a loss she was.
10 Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
So, on to the last song on my list. I mentioned at the beginning that a song had a profound effect on a decision I was struggling with. This is the song that gave me the nudge I needed. It was released in 1988 from her first self-named album, Tracy Chapman.
The single reached #5 in the UK and #6 in America, heralding the arrival of a major new songwriting talent. Its success was helped by her appearance at the concert for Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday celebrations.
It is a song about a woman who is hard up for money but dreams of bettering herself. I expect there are many just like it. But that wasn’t the meaning for me.
New Beginnings
I was a little disillusioned with where I was living and what I was doing. So, I thought maybe a new adventure was called for. I started to think about leaving the country of my birth and going to live overseas. I went to where I was considering moving to for a holiday and then came home. It was decision time.
The problem was I couldn’t make up my mind. Leaving everything behind that you have ever known. Going to a place where you don’t understand the language, the customs, and you don’t know anyone. It wasn’t going to be easy, and after a month, I still hadn’t decided.
Then Came A Little Nudge…
I sat in a coffee shop one day, still undecided. I had gone there with the sole purpose of deciding, and I had promised myself I wasn’t leaving until the decision was made. Overthinking can be as bad as under-thinking something.
I felt like I wanted to make the move, but something was holding me back. Then, this song came on over the shop’s sound system. I had heard it before, but something made me listen to it this time. And then, we got to the part where the lyrics said, “We’ve got to make a decision – Leave tonight or live and die this way.”
I finished my third coffee and went straight to the travel agent to book my ticket. Decision made. I suppose I ought to thank her. Looking back, it proved to be the right decision.
11The Climb by Miley Cyrus
12A Brand New Me by Aretha Franklin
13New Day by Alicia Keys
14Good Life by OneRepublic
15This Year’s Love by David Gray
16I Will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan
17I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
18Start Again by OneRepublic (feat. Logic)
19New Horizons by Flyleaf
20Born Again by Newsboys
21The Best Day by Taylor Swift
22New Perspective by Panic! At The Disco
23Good Morning by Kanye West
24I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons
25Shake It Out by Florence + The Machine
26Get Up Stand Up by Phunky Phantom
27New Love by Dua Lipa
28Renew Me by Kirk Franklin
29Change by Taylor Swift
30Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens
31Fresh Eyes by Andy Grammer
32Renew My Mind by Aaron Shust
33New Divide by Linkin Park
34Shine by Collective Soul
35New Day Coming by Cody Francis
36Renewed by Lakewood Music
37First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
38I Can Change by LCD Soundsystem
39New Love in Town by Europe
40The Freshmen by The Verve Pipe
41New State of Mind by Yes
42Renew by Hillsong Worship
43Change (In the House of Flies) by Deftones
44New Attitude by Patti LaBelle
45The Freshmen by Jay Brannan
46Change by Churchill
47The Freshmen by The Cardigans
48New Beginning by Tracy Chapman
49Fresh Start by Joel Vaughn
50New Day by Robbie Seay Band
51The Freshman by The Hit Crew
52Fresh Eyes by Brooke Eden
53New Direction by Joel Vaughn
54The Freshmen by John Masson
55Fresh Start by Ryan Stevenson
Looking for Songs with Positive Messages?
Well, have a look at our detailed articles on the Best Songs About the Weekend, the Best Songs About Life, the Top Songs About Rainbows, the Best Songs About Hope, and the Best Happy Songs for more uplifting song selections.
Songs About New Beginnings – Final Thoughts
Starting again can be daunting, but sometimes it is for the best. Unless there is a very good reason, it can be a life-changing decision to start again. Of course, it hasn’t got to be such a drastic decision as emigrating. It might be moving or starting a new job. Whatever it is, change can often be the right thing to do.
There are plenty of songwriters that have discovered that it can be for the better. I am someone who can testify that it can be.
Until next time, happy listening.
