Second Chance

From what I've heard off the "The Sound of Madness" this song sounds like it'll be one of the best songs on the new CD by Shinedown, and one of their best ever. Brent mentioned this was one of the toughest songs he's ever written because it's about him saying goodbye to his parents... having to move on with his own life and become a man, to live out his dreams. Powerful song... deserves to be a monstrous hit for them.

From lead singer Brent Smith, at Pointfest 22:

It's important for you to hear this.. when I grew up, everyone was ok with being in a bubble. They were cool in their circle. That's fine. But no one should discourage someone if they have a dream, if they want something more [...] This song was difficult for me to write the lyrics to because it's about my mother and my father, and about the day I said goodbye to them, because I had to go try, and I'm still trying every day, to become a man. So, this song is about that. It's about the moment that you wake up and you decide you want to go for every single dream you ever want.

Well I just saw Shinedown live at a very small club and they were amazing. I have been listening to The Sound of Madness since it was released and know practically all the lyrics by heart. This particular song was my favorite from the beginning and even though I know the lyrics when he sang it tonight it really hit home with the fact that you have to live your life by your rules and not worry about approval from your parents. I actually broke down and cried. You have to take chances in life and go for your dreams whatever they may be.

You know you're in trouble when songs speak to you don't you. Its that time of life where you need a sounding board and loved ones fail you. Thats how i felt about this song. It came when i needed the strength to move away from everyone and venture blindly into new. I literally heard this song a dozen times as i was towing my RV packed with all my things, two pets and Girlfriend.i believe the inspiration for this song was heaven sent as many these days needed to go against the social norms or be risky.Nothing else seems to be working. I read others had similar stories, mine in particular is quite brutal as well. TY Shinedown for blessing me with this song. I took the Haleys Comet reference as needing to be gone to see what is stretched beyond sight, 75 yrs is a bit long but sometimes when you come back everyone is happy to see you , make the time to celebrate your journey, and speculate where you have been. It could mean that in spect to our lives somehow. Wish i could meet Shinedown, maybe my life;s story would be a few more songs.

first, this is my favorite song off this cd. no doubt.

i heard somewhere (i think it was their site) that this was Brent's hardest song ever to write because it was about telling his parents to just let go of him and let him live his own life. he is trying to tell them that in order for him to be happy he needs them to let him go and let him do what he wants. and telling him goodbye is giving him a 'second chance' to do that.

I never knew it was about his family however for me this song has been about my battle with suicide/depression, and me wanting to leave and say good bye to everyone.

Its interesting and a good proof this is a good song that so many views can be made from it.

Good luck, have fun.

This song makes me so upset. Although it is about leaving home/family for the first time and stuff, I see this song as the point of view from a suicidal person. I had a friend who commited suicide back in August of 2007, and it breaks my heart to know this may've been what she was thinking, especially because I know she didn't truly want to die. I've been suicidal myself but her death really woke me up.

I can envision this being said over the phone to a brother or sister. A sad song, no doubt.

My eyes are open wide, by the way I made it through the day. I watch the world outside, by the way I'm leaving out today.

The protagonist's parents have tried to shelter him throughout his life. He goes out into the "ugly world" that they tried to shield from him, and he realizes it's the place where he fits most, and might have the talent to succeed. He cannot do that while remaining under their umbrella.

I just saw Hailey's Comet she waved Said, "Why are you always running in place? Even the man in the moon disappeared Somewhere in the stratosphere"

Halley's Comet (lyric is spelled incorrectly) appears once ever 75 years. This is partly a metaphor for life. Life span of a human is typically 75 years. Most people only get a chance to see Halley's Comet once, and likewise most people only have one chance to "make it." Basically, he sees his life flying by and realizes that he will never reach his goals if he hangs around. He also acknowledges the cyclical nature. "The Man In The Moon" is seen around the Full Moon, and goes away during the New Moon phase. He's basically saying that he will be back, but that the current circumstance needs to change in order for him to realize his ambitions.

Tell my mother, tell my father I've done the best I can To make them realize this is my life I hope they understand. I'm not angry, I'm just saying Sometimes goodbye is a second chance

I don't believe this is the first time he's tried to leave. Like I said, I hear this as a phone call from somewhere on the way to his final destination. It sounds like they've derailed previous attempts. If he takes them out of the decision, his spite towards their lack of support will not rise up, and maybe that kind of "goodbye" will allow the parent-child relationship to mend one day.

Please don't cry one tear for me I'm not afraid of what I have to say This is my one and only voice So listen close, it's only for today

Basically, he's sick of repeating himself to everyone in his family who wants him to be the person they want him to be. He's only going to explain one last time.

I think the element of this song that can be lost is that he doesn't want to lose the relationship. The phenomena that he mentions happen in cycles. He wants to return one day, but he can't right now. The problem is that his family are narrow thinking, to the point of this being "goodbye" for good (don't cry one tear). Instead, he wants them to know that he sees this as the only way to preserve their relationship as a family in the long run. Whether it works or not, who knows?

Desaparecida I thought it was about suicide to at first. It does kinda fit into that sort of thing.

Anyway this band is amazing and always has the most powerful lyrics. And his voice just tops it off. I love his voice its nice and manly hahaha.

Anyway very good song.

This song is so beautiful and its definitely one of my favorites. I'm looking forward to seeing this on the radio along with Devour and The Crow and the Butterfly!